Eurovision 2023: The United Kingdom will officially host the contest!

The EBU, along with British public broadcaster BBC, have just officially confirmed what we already suspected: The runner-up of Eurovision 2022, the United Kingdom, is the country which has been chosen to host next year’s contest, due to the involvement of winning country Ukraine in an ongoing war.

Nevertheless, the show will contain both British and Ukrainian elements, in order to reflect Ukraine’s win with Kalush Orchestra. More specifically, the Eurovision site informs us of the following:

• The BBC will take on hosting duties with the contest to be held in the United Kingdom in 2023
• The bidding contest for the host city will begin this week
• Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Grand Final along with the Big 5 (which includes the United Kingdom)
• Representatives of Ukrainian broadcaster UA: PBC will work with the BBC to develop Ukrainian elements of the shows
• The logo, which is to be revealed later, will reflect unique circumstances of staging.

Below are the statements from the Heads of all parties involved:

Martin Österdahl, Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor:

‘‘We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023, The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA: PBC:

“The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will not be in Ukraine but in support of Ukraine. We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident that together we will be able to add Ukrainian spirit to this event and once again unite the whole of Europe around our common values of peace, support, celebrating diversity and talent.”

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General:

“It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege. The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity. The BBC will now begin the process to find a host city to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”

Details regarding the host city and the logo will, therefore, be released on a later date.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Eurovision 2023!