Britain will host the Eurovision Song Contest next year on behalf of Ukraine, organisers confirmed today after concluding that the war-torn country could not hold the event for ‘safety and security reasons’.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the annual competition just over two months ago in an emotional victory in Turin, Italy, on May 14 and it is traditional that the winning country hosts the event the following year.
But the European Broadcasting Union said last month that it had concluded after a study that the ‘security and operational guarantees’ required to host the event could not be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.
The decision to rule out Ukraine as the 2023 host prompted its culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko to issue a statement ‘demanding to change the decision’, while UA:PBC also expressed its ‘disappointment’ at the time.
The BBC, as national broadcaster of the UK, which was the runner-up this year with Sam Ryder’s Space Man, was invited to act as host – and the corporation confirmed today that it would hold what will be the 67th contest. The event normally draws a television audience of about 200million and was last held in Britain in Birmingham in 1998.
That contest came after Katrina and the Waves won with ‘Love Shine a Light’ in Dublin the previous year, which remains the last time Britain was victorious. The UK has won Eurovision a total of five times since it began in 1956.
The event is mostly funded by contributions from the participating broadcasters, which adds up to £5.3million combined and varies for each country. There is also a payment by the host broadcaster – in this case the BBC – of between £8million and £17million, which organisers say depends on ‘local circumstances and available resources’.
There is also a contribution from the host city, either financially or ‘in kind’ such as covering expenses; and then funding through commercial revenue from sponsorship agreements, ticket sales, voting and merchandise.
The location in the UK for 2023 is set to be chosen in the coming months, with a bidding process expected to be launched this week. Organisers said the date for the event will also be revealed ‘in due course’, as will the logo.
Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Swindon and Wolverhampton have all expressed an interest in hosting the event which will require a large events space, suitable accommodation and international transport links.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the most recent Eurovision Song Contest in Turin on May 14

Kalush Orchestra pose with the winner’s trophy and Ukraine’s flag after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in May
The UK has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other country, including in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977; Edinburgh in 1972; Brighton in 1974; Harrogate in 1982; and Birmingham in 1998.
Ukraine will automatically qualify for the grand final alongside the so-called ‘Big Five’ – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – who each get a free pass because of their financial contributions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK would ‘put on a fantastic contest on behalf of our Ukrainian friends’, adding that in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week they ‘agreed that wherever Eurovision 2023 is held, it must celebrate the country and people of Ukraine’.
He continued: ‘As we are now hosts, the UK will honour that pledge directly – and put on a fantastic contest on behalf of our Ukrainian friends.’
Downing Street said it had been Boris Johnson’s ‘strong wish’ for Ukraine to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘It’s deeply regrettable that a Ukraine-hosted Eurovision will not be possible. But we are confident the BBC and UK will pull out all the stops to make sure it is an event that celebrates and honours the country, the people and the creativity of Ukraine.’
Asked if Britons should fly Ukraine flags to mark the event, the spokesman said: ‘Absolutely. As we saw, a number of countries and the people of the UK (were) supporting both our UK entry and the Ukrainian entry.
‘I’m sure the Prime Minister would encourage the public to get behind this opportunity to really demonstrate how the UK is supporting the people of Ukraine.’
Announcing London’s intention to bid to host Eurovision, Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter: ‘It’s very disappointing for Ukraine that they will be unable to host Eurovision next year.
‘London is ready and willing to step in. We would be honoured to put on a contest that celebrates the people of Ukraine and shows off the very best of Britain.’

UK entry Sam Ryder came second with his song Space Man at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Turin on May 14
Sheffield is also among the cities that has announced a bid to host Eurovision 2023.
The city’s council said it has told Eurovision organisers that Sheffield would ‘love’ to hold the contest after the EBU and BBC confirmed the UK will host in place of Ukraine. ‘We’ve told Eurovision we’d love to host… watch this space,’ Sheffield City Council tweeted.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, also said the city would be applying to host Eurovision in 2023.
She tweeted: ‘Manchester will be bidding to host @Eurovision @bbceurovision.
‘A world class music city, brilliant venues, experience in hosting major events, and of course one of the UK’s largest Ukrainian populations – we are confident we will make it a Eurovision to remember. More to follow.’
Glasgow also previously expressed an interest in hosting the contest with the city’s OVO Hydro arena saying it would be ‘delighted’ to be involved in discussions.
In June, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also backed the city to host, tweeting: ‘I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!!’
Martin Osterdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’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.’
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest unites people through the power of music and creativity.
‘Following a request from the European Broadcasting Union and the Ukrainian authorities, I’m delighted that the BBC has agreed to step in and host next year’s contest.
‘I’m just sorry that, due to Russia’s continued acts of bloodshed, it has not been possible to host the event in Ukraine, where it should be.

The 1998 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Birmingham after Katrina and the Waves won with ‘Love Shine a Light’ in Dublin the previous year (pictured posing in May 1997 following their win), which remains the last time Britain was victorious
‘As hosts, the UK will honour the competition’s spirit and diversity, and, most importantly, ensure it reflects Ukraine’s recent Eurovision victory and Ukrainian creativity.’

Mykola Chernotytskyi, head of the managing board of UA:PBC, said: ‘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.’
And Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, added: ‘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.’
This year’s contest in May saw Ryder top the jury vote before Kalush Orchestra went on to win overall following a symbolic show of public support which saw them soar to first place with 631 points.
They had been the frontrunners since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February – which prompted organisers to ban the Russian entrant from competing.
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