United Kingdom will be offered the chance to host Eurovision 2023 after the EBU ruled that Ukraine were unable to host the contest.
In a statement made by the EBU they state:
“Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organise and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.”
“The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine.”
The @EBU_HQ has issued the statement below regarding the hosting of next year’s #Eurovision Song Contest.
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) June 17, 2022
Find it online here ➡️ https://t.co/mAxSdReBj3 pic.twitter.com/JYqy58eHqV
Later in the statement, the EBU said they will offer Eurovision 2022 runners up United Kingdom the chance to host the contest:
“As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.”
It is now up to the BBC to accept the EBU’s invitation to host, but British Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has told the BBC (the British broadcaster) that the United Kingdom would be willing the 2023 edition of the Eurovision.
This will be the first time since 1908 that the contest is not hosted in the previous edition’s winning country.
The United Kingdom last hosted the contest in 1998 in Birmingham after winning the 1997 contest.
What do you think about United Kingdom hosting Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
One Response
I am very excited about UK hosting the 2023 contest. I would like it to be in London
I have a feeling it might be Glasgow from what I have seen on the Web