Who will host Eurovision 2023 and what else to expect from the show?

The UK came second in the European singing show earlier this year

Sam Ryder
(Image credit: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

This year's Eurovision was a delight to watch - with the UK's entry flying through the first rounds and doing the country proud.

However, fans were shocked when Sam Ryder came second in the Eurovision contest - especially after years of getting nil points. 

Ukraine was the overall winner, with the Kalush Orchestra becoming a hit with Eurovision fans and supporting the country. The winner normally goes on to host the show the following year.

However, with the ongoing war in Ukraine the country won't be able to host the show - so who will host Eurovision 2023?

On Monday 25th July it was officially confirmed that Ukraine would allow the UK to host Eurovision 2023 - the singing competition that even Kate Middleton is obsessed with. 

Ukraine were favourites to win this year's Eurovision, and Kalush Orchestra did an amazing job on the night - winning by a mile. Oleh Psiuk, from the Ukrainian band, revealed his thoughts on the show not being broadcast from his home country.

He said: "Of course, we are very sad that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be held in Ukraine next year. But we are grateful to the UK for their solidarity and for agreeing to hold the event in support of our country.

"We hope Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flavour and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture. We, in turn, will make all efforts to help Ukraine win next year as well, so that Eurovision 2024 can take place in a peaceful country.”

Who will host Eurovision 2023?

The UK will host Eurovision 2023 - with the news announced on Instagram on Monday 25th July. The post said, "CONFIRMED: The United Kingdom will host #Eurovision 2023 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

"The BBC will take on hosting duties and will work together with UA:PBC to develop Ukrainian elements of next year’s shows 🇺🇦".

As the winners of this year's show, Ukraine will have automatic entry into Eurovision 2023. However, no other details have yet to be released - but we're sure the UK's entry this year, Sam Ryder, will make an appearance. Other UK winners could also perform at the show - including Buck Fizz, who won the show in 1981 with the song Making Your Mind Up.

Most fans would assume that the show would take place in London, however other cities in the UK have put bids in to host the music show including Sheffield, Brighton and Leeds. 

"Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege," said Tim Davie, BBC Director-General. "The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity. 

"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."

Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance journalist - writing about the royals and celebrities for Woman & Home, fitness and beauty for the Evening Standard and how the world of work has changed due to the pandemic for the BBC. 

 

She also covers a variety of other subjects and loves interviewing leaders and innovators in the beauty, travel and wellness worlds for numerous UK and overseas publications. 

 

As a journalist, she has written thousands of profile pieces - interviewing CEOs, real-life case studies and celebrities - interviewing everyone from Emma Bunton to the founder of Headspace.