Eurovision could be held in UK as broadcasting union confirms talks for 2023 contest

Eurovision could be held in UK as broadcasting union confirms talks for 2023 contest
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 17/06/2022

- 11:21

Updated: 17/06/2022

- 11:53

It comes after it was concluded that next year's contest cannot be held in Ukraine

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said it is in talks with the BBC “to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest” in the UK.

It comes after the EBU announced that Ukraine will not host the Eurovision Song Contest next year due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country.


The Ukrainian entry of Kalush Orchestra won the competition in Turin, Italy this year and it is traditional that the winning country hosts the event the following year.

Undated handout photo issued by Eurovision 2022 of Kalush Orchestra, who have delivered an energetic performance of its song Stefania in the first semi-final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Issue date: Tuesday May 10, 2022.
The Kalush Orchestra won this year's event
Eurovision 2022

However, the EBU has stated that following a “full assessment and feasibility study” they have concluded that the “security and operational guarantees” required to host the event cannot be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.

The EBU has said that it is beginning discussions with the BBC to potentially host the event in 2023 because they were the runners up.

In a statement, the EBU said: "Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

"It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.

Sam Ryder, arrives at Heathrow Airport in London after finishing second in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy. Picture date: Sunday May 15, 2022.
The UK's Sam Ryder finished second in this year's competition
Dominic Lipinski

"Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.

It continued: "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 has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.

"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 our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts."

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