Scots cities in race to host Eurovision!
After decades in song contest wilderness, UK to stage 2023 event for war-torn Ukraine
GLASGOW has emerged as bookies’ favourite to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest after it was confirmed the contest will be held in the UK on behalf of war-torn Ukraine.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the competition in Turin, Italy, in May with 631 points, and gained the right to host next year’s event.
But following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced last month that the ‘security and operational guarantees’ required to host the event could not be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.
The UK, whose entry Sam Ryder finished runner-up, will now showcase the 67th competition which the BBC promises to make ‘a true reflection of Ukrainian culture’.
The search for a host city to partner the BBC in delivering the event has now begun – with Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena already viewed as the most likely location to host the worldfamous competition.
Other cities to have thrown their hats into the ring include Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Belfast.
Betting firm William Hill has given Glasgow odds of 5/6 of hosting the contest, with Manchester at 6/4 and London 5/1. Birmingham has odds of 13/2, while Aberdeen and Belfast are both 20/1. A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: ‘We know we meet all the technical requirements, and know Glaswegians are desperate to welcome the world with open arms.
‘Time is now short to organise the contest and, having recently hosted COP, we know Glasgow is the safest of safe pairs of hands.’
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. Next year’s contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring Ukraine are celebrated and represented throughout the event.’
Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Grand Final alongside the so-called Big Five – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – which each gain entry because of their financial contributions.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said: ‘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 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.’
Mykola Chernotytskyi, of UA: PBC, said: ‘We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident 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.’
The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster, hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998.
According to the Eurovision website, the host broadcaster usually makes a contribution of between €10 and €20million.
In 2012 Azerbaijan reportedly spent €60million on the contest, while the 2014 competition in Copenhagen reportedly cost €44.8million.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest is a coproduction of the host broadcaster and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). There are a number of funding options to be explored, delivering a fantastic event and great value for licence fee payers.’
‘Glasgow is safest pair of hands’