It’s happening.
It’s officially happening – 2023’s Eurovision Song Contest is set to be hosted in the United Kingdom.
It was announced last month following Ukraine’s recent win that they could not host in their country due to the ongoing invasion by Russian forces.
The Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that the UK will take their place hosting after they placed second in this year’s competition.
Martin Österdahl, 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.”
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
Ukraine will automatically qualify for the final of the 2023 competition due to their win this year, along with the Big 5 – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC, added: “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.”
It has also been announced that representatives of Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA: PBC will be working with the BBC to implement Ukrainian elements to the show next year.
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