Where will Eurovision 2023 be held? Will Ukraine host eurovision 2023, or will it be held in the UK?

Both Glasgow and Aberdeen City Councils will be vying to host the contest in 2023.

Two of Scotland’s largest cities confirmed they would be launching bids to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year. It comes as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC confirmed the annual competition would be hosted in the UK.

A spokesman for Glasgow city council said the city was a “safe place” after COP26 held last November. Aberdeen City Council claims to have a “historical track” in international events.

Glasgow City Council spokesperson said:

“Since it became a possibility that the UK might host on behalf of Ukraine we’ve been working hard on our bid. We know we meet all the technical requirements, and we know Glaswegians are desperate to welcome the world with open arms.

“Time is now really short to organise the contest and, having recently hosted Cop, we know Glasgow is the safest of safe pairs of hands.”

The bid comes after Ukraine won the tournament in May, and UK’s Sam Ryder came in second.

With the current attacks in the country, Ukraine is unfortunately unable to host the event at home due to the Russian invasion earlier this year. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said:

“We were disappointed to learn that Eurovision 2023 cannot take place in Ukraine. Aberdeen has a track record of delivering major international events and now that the EBU has confirmed that the BBC will host the 2023 Eurovision song contest, we will look at the next steps in terms of the shortlisting process.

“The Council has already instructed officers to continue the dialogue with relevant stakeholders and to look at the implications for the Council of hosting this international event and its huge fanbase. The Eurovision Song Contest is a massive event with a worldwide audience.

“We have the city, the people and infrastructure to support international events such as this and it would provide a major boost to the Aberdeen and Scottish economies and raise the city’s profile with potential investors and visitors.”

Eurovision Song Contest’s executive supervisor, Martin Osterdahl, said he was “grateful” to the BBC for hosting the contest next year.

Osterdahl commented:

“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.”

It would be the second time that Eurovision is hosted in Scotland as Edinburgh hosted the tournament at Usher Hall in 1972.