The UK is likely to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, with Ukraine dropping out

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization that runs the Eurovision Song Contest, has confirmed that next year’s contest will not be held in Ukraine, despite Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra winning the 2022 top spot.

The EBU has said it is in talks with the BBC about hosting the 2023 competition in the UK

View the full EBU statement below:

“After winning the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May, the EBU has been exploring options for hosting next year’s competition with Ukrainian public broadcaster UA:PBC, which previously hosted the event in 2017 and 2005.

It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year and meets certain criteria, including ensuring the viability of the event and the safety of everyone involved, including the public.

Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full evaluation and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists, including on security issues.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world, with thousands working and attending the event and taking 12 months to prepare.

After an objective analysis, the reference group, the ESC board, came to the conclusion with deep regret that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance with the ESC Rules are required but cannot be met by UA:PBC.

The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their full cooperation and commitment in examining all the scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s victory in Turin on May 14th, and to share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s competition will not be in of Ukraine can take place.

The EBU has supported UA:PBC in a number of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so that UA:PBC can maintain the vital service they provide to Ukrainians.

As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now enter into talks with the BBC, as this year’s runners-up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the UK.

It is our full intention that Ukraine’s victory will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our talks with the eventual hosts.”