Scottish city bookies’ favourite to host Eurovision next year

Jack Peat

The UK will host Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine

The UK has been confirmed as the host of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The show’s organisers decided the event, unfortunately, could not be held in the winning country of Ukraine given the ongoing Russian invasion and Britain had been earmarked as a possible replacement after Sam Ryder came second with “Space Man” in Turin.

The United Kingdom will host #Eurovision 2023! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

➡️ Everything you need to know here: https://t.co/qQVS3gierN pic.twitter.com/IpHCA2i4U6

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) July 25, 2022

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) opened talks with the BBC shortly after the historic second place, with EBU stating the potential venue must be able to accommodate around 10,000 spectators, be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators.

According to the latest odds, Glasgow is 5/6 favourite to host the competition on behalf of Ukraine, giving the Scottish city a 55 per cent chance of doing so.

Manchester, Sheffield and London are also in the running, along with Cradiff, Belfast and Commonwealth Games host Birmingham.

OLBG Entertainment betting expert Steve Madgwick revealed: “Glasgow remain the bookies favourites to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest with their 5/6 odds giving them a decent chance according to bookmakers.”

Favourites to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest:

Eurovision 2023 Host City	Odds	Probability
Glasgow	4/5	55.6%
Manchester	3/1	25.0%
Cardiff	5/1	16.7%
Belfast	11/2	15.4%
Birmingham	13/2	13.3%
London	7/1	12.5%

According to a YouGov study, 43 per cent of those in Scotland would prefer it to be held in Glasgow, 13 per cent in Aberdeen and 9 per cent in Edinburgh.

Northerners prefer Manchester (23 per cent), Liverpool (12 per cent), Leeds (10 per cent), or Newcastle (10 per cent).

Whilst 24 per cent of Londoners believe it should be held in the capital and in the Midlands and Wales, they prefer it to be held in Birmingham (17 per cent), Cardiff (11 per cent), Nottingham (10 per cent).