UK will host Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of Ukraine

2022-07-25

The United Kingdom will be hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

This comes after Ukraine, who had this year's winning act Kalush Orchestra, was forced to pull out due to the country's war with Russia.

In a statement, Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC said: “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.”

Expressing his thanks, Martin Österdahl, Eurovision's Executive Supervisor, said: "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 Ukraine's UA:PBC, also said in a statement: “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.”

UA: PBC and the BBC will work together to make sure the 2021 contest includes Ukrainian elements.

Ukraine will also automatically qualify for the Grand Final of next year's Eurovision due to winning this year's contest.

The BBC hosted the singing contest in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977 in London, 1972 in Edinburgh, 1974 in Brighton, 1982 in Harrogate and 1998 in Birmingham.

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