Eurovision 2023: UK will host Eurovision next year - here are the betting odds for it being held in London

British Eurovision fans are celebrating today with the announcement that  the 2023 Eurovision finals will be taking place in the United Kingdom.

Following the unfortunate decision that the event will no longer be able to be held in the Ukraine, winners of the 2022 competition, the European Broadcast Union (EBU) and BBC came to the conclusion that as runners up this year the UK should host.

This will be the first time the Eurovision Song Contest will be in the United Kingdom since 1998, where it was hosted in Birmingham by virtue of the UK’s winning entry, “Love Shine A Light” by Katrina and The Waves.

Why is Eurovision 2023 not being held in the Ukraine?

After looking at all the options presented to organisers due to safety concerns holding the event in Ukraine, the BBC was invited by the EBU to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.”

“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC thanked the BBC for taking up the proceedings. Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC, added: “The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will not be in Ukraine but in support of Ukraine.

“We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident that together 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.”

When is the Eurovision Song Contest 2023?

The Eurovision Song Contest is looking to be held in May 2023 after the conclusion of Eurovision Week.

Eurovision Week will consist of the semi-finals of the competition and the grand final falling on the Saturday of that week.

Where will the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 be held?

This is the million pound question. So much so that William Hill bookies are currently taking bets where the finals will be held.

Currently, Glasgow (5/6) is the clear favourite and Manchester (6/4) is the second favourite to host the event, while London is at 5/1.

Birmingham, who hosted the last Eurovision Grand Final on British soil are 13/2, while Leicester and Bristol remain long shots at 50/1.