Wales could put forward a bid to host Eurovision 2023 after it was confirmed the competition will be held in the UK. Ukraine won in 2022 with the UK coming second but the ongoing conflict with Russia means it will not be able to host the competition.
The quest is now on for a UK host city. The news was confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, which runs the contest, after investigations into the possibility of hosting in Ukraine - the 2022 winners - resulted in the decision being made that under the circumstances it was too dangerous. It was also announced that the BBC will now start the process of finding a host city.
The EBU said in a statement: "Following the decision that, regrettably, next year’s event could not be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons the EBU explored a number of options with the winning broadcaster. As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
Read more: Ukraine wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2022
"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.”
In June, a debate about Wales hosting Eurovision was held in the Senedd. At it, deputy minister for culture Dawn Bowden said: "We recognise that Wales's successful track record in hosting high-profile events in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium, which we understand would be the only venue in Wales capable of meeting the specifications for the event, places it in contention for providing a home for the 2023 edition of Eurovision, if it cannot be held in Ukraine. Both Cardiff Council and the stadium have indicated their interest in staging the event, and if the event cannot be held in Ukraine, we would hold further discussions with both, and the BBC, in terms of the detailed specification and the potential costs, which we understand are likely to be multimillion. We would also be looking at the benefits and the potential contributions from those partners, the UK Government, and of course international partners."
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General added: "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 is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity." You can read more about that here.
The Welsh Government has now confirmed it could bid for a Welsh host city. A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We remain open to discussions around bringing exciting major events to Wales. As ever, any discussion would involve full engagement with partners, assessment of likely costs and benefits and consideration of a detailed technical specification."
Cardiff's Principality Stadium has already said it would love to host the competition. Last month, a spokesperson for the venue, which can hold 74,500 people said: "We would relish the opportunity to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 here at Principality Stadium, Cardiff. We have a 20-year history of successfully hosting the biggest music artists and sporting events in the world; and to add Eurovision, the world's biggest and much-loved music competition to the list, would be the cherry on top of the last two decades." Read more on that here.
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