Since Ukraine won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, the rumour and rejoinder mill has been churning. The big question among Eurovision fans is, “Where will the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest be held?” ‘due to the current situation in Ukraine.
Since Ukraine stormed to victory at the 2022 Eurovision in Italy, there has been much speculation about the 2023 Eurovision host city and country. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as the safety and security of competing countries, delegations, and artists, is a top priority for the EBU and Eurovision organisers.
The Ukrainian national broadcaster UA:PBC announced yesterday that the country has taken the first steps toward hosting the competition on its own soil next year. But will the competition be able to travel to Ukraine next year?
The Ukrainian Eurovision Committee and UA:PBC have submitted a security and safety questionnaire to the EBU, but due to Ukraine’s current situation, hosting a mega-event like the Eurovision Song Contest can be difficult.
In the event that Ukraine is unable to host the competition next year, the British media and tabloids have speculated that the BBC may consider hosting it in Glasgow next year.
The OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow is noticeably empty from April 25 to May 27, implying that it may have been reserved in advance for Eurovision. However, this could be wishful thinking.
Eurovision fans have begun to speculate on Glasgow’s chances…
The venue is free for the next five weeks, with only three events scheduled in April and one in May. The Eurovision venue must be available for 6-8 weeks in order to host the event. The Eurovision Song Contest is usually held in the middle of May. With the potential dates for ESC 2023 being 9, 11, 13, or 16, 18, 20 May, we can assume that the OVO Hydro could be a viable option to host the event, and the three events scheduled for April at the venue could be postponed or rescheduled.
The Glasgow Ovo Hydro opened in 2013 and has a capacity of approximately 14,000 spectators. Notably, the venue was featured in the Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga film.
Will the BBC step in if Ukraine withdraws its right to host?
Earlier this week, RTVE President Mr. Tornero stated that Spain had dropped the idea of hosting Eurovision 2023 if Ukraine was unable to host the event and that the competition would be organised by the BBC if this occurred.
It is too early to tell whether Ukraine will host the upcoming 2023 Eurovision Song Contest due to the hardships and afflictions the country is experiencing as a result of the ongoing war.
Between July and October, the EBU usually announces the Eurovision host city. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the coming months.
Ukraine won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin with ‘Stefania’ by Kalush Band, bringing home the coveted Eurovision trophy for the third time. The competition has been held twice in Kyiv (2005, 2017).
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