Eurovision organisers have ruled Ukraine will not be able to host the contest next year
The United Kingdom is being lined up as the host for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after organisers decided Ukraine would not be able to host the event in 2023 due to the war in the country.
Ukraine stormed to victory in this year’s contest, with Sam Ryder finishing second for the UK.
Usually, the competition winner hosts the event the following year.
However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has concluded after a risk assessment that it is not feasible for the country to host the 2023 edition of the contest because of the ongoing war in the country.
In a statement, they confirmed they were in discussion with the BBC about the UK potentially hosting the competition next year.
The EBU said: “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.”
The EBU has issued the statement below regarding the hosting of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest
Find it online here ➡️ https://t.co/kPWQzTM218#Eurovision #ESC2023 pic.twitter.com/9AV5X9R1Be
— EBU (@EBU_HQ) June 17, 2022
But they added that no matter who hosts the contest next year, it is their intention and a priority that “Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows.”
It is the first time in 41 years that a country has been deemed unable to host Eurovision.
In 1980, Israel was refused to host the contest for a second consecutive year.
Responding to the EBU’s statement, the BBC said: “We have seen the announcement from the EBU. Clearly these aren’t a set of circumstances that anyone would want. Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest.”
BREAKING: BBC statement on potentially hosting Eurovision:
“We have seen the announcement from the EBU. Clearly these aren’t a set of circumstances that anyone would want. Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest.”
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) June 17, 2022
Ukraine rap-folk act Kalush Orchestra emerged victorious from the 2022 edition of Eurovision with their song ‘Stefania’ – a track which earned them a huge 631 points.
In the aftermath of the win Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy had insisted the country would be able to host next year’s contest.
Sam Ryder finished second for the UK with his song ‘Space Man’, securing the UK”s best performance at the contest since 1998.
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