After Ukraine won the 2022 Eurovision song contest, the problem of the location of next year’s edition arose. As tradition dictates, the winner has the honour of hosting the following year’s edition, but with the uncertainty of Ukraine’s ability of welcoming visitors due to the war, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to look for another host.
Speculations were made for a while. Some said that the UK, as the runner up, should be offered the responsibility. Both Ukrainian and British politicians however said that Ukraine should still be allowed to host. Afterwards, Brussels, as the capital of the European Union, was considered for a while. Finally, the EBU has announced that it has reached an agreement with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the UK to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC.
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.
Martin Österdahl, the 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,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor. “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”, he added.
The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster, hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, in Edinburgh in 1972, in Brighton in 1974, in Harrogate in 1982 and in Birmingham in 1998.
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.
Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC
Representatives from UA: PBC will work with the BBC to develop and implement the Ukrainian elements of next year’s shows. Ukraine, as the winning country of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, will also automatically qualify to the Grand Final of the upcoming Contest.
“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”, said Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC.
Next year’s Host City will be chosen in the coming months, following a bidding process to be launched this week. The logo for the 2023 event will also be revealed later and will reflect the unique staging of next year’s Contest and the cooperation between the host country and this year’s winners. The dates for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be announced in due course.
