Life

Eurovision to “begin discussions” about the UK “potentially” hosting 2023 Contest

By Conor Clark

17th June 2022

Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest “cannot be held in Ukraine” and discussions are underway for the UK to “potentially” host, it has been confirmed.

Receiving a total of 631 points, the Kalush Orchestra won this year’s competition for Ukraine with its song Stefania.

However, due to its ongoing war with Russia after it was invaded by the country in February, many have questioned whether or not the Contest will be able to be held in Ukraine in 2023.

On 17 June, Eurovision released a statement confirming that it will “begin discussions with the BBC” about the United Kingdom “potentially” being the host instead after “exploring all scenarios” with Ukraine.

“Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC,” part of the statement read.

It added that it “is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.”

As this year’s runner up, the UK is the first country to be considered to host in the event that the winner is unable to do so.

Sam Ryder’s song Space Man gave the country its best Eurovision performance since 1998.