UK spotlight: LIVERPOOL

Following its hosting of Eurovision, the world's first UN Local2030 Hub has new hotels aplenty, a burgeoning dining scene and a busy events calendar in 2024

Just before Christmas, Anfield stadium welcomed 57,000 fans - its largest crowd in 50 years - as the expanded upper tier of the Anfield Road stand opened for a showdown between Liverpool and Manchester United, one of the Premier League's most bitter rivalries. While it was an uninspiring game that ended in a 0-0 draw (unlike the 7-0 thrashing United received here last March), the match proved that football remains a huge draw for the city, and when the expansion is finished, it will be able to accommodate up to 61,000 Reds supporters. On the blue side of Merseyside, Everton is set to relocate to a new 52,000-seat stadium in 2025, and the Premier League club's new space has been selected as one of the locations for UEFA Euro 2028.

Anfield's record-breaking crowd is a precursor for what's gearing up to be an exciting year for the stadium, with Taylor Swift playing three of her Eras dates here in June (the first-ever tour to surpass US$1 billion in revenue). Pink will also play two dates at Anfield in June, which will be followed by another headliner who is yet to be announced.

The Eurovision effect