Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[telebox2001]

Personally I believe Newshound47 is in charge of British Midland Flight 11 and suffering from pilot fatigue.

There's some sachets of salt in the hat rack above Row 9.

[Brekkie]

Glad others are calling that out.

Remember when England were going to boycott the World Cup because they lost out to Russia and Qatar? By the time the event comes around nobody, least of all those competing, cares about the hosting situation. The event is always bigger than the host - so even though most disagree with Qatar hosting the World Cup this year they see it as attending tge World Cup, not competing in Qatar.

Other than the absolutely expected reaction from the Ukrainians concerned, whose anger is really driven by Putin rather than the EBU, there has been no suggestion at all from the other 40 members that the EBU have made the right call. As they say often the difficult call is the right call and the EBU have shown rare leadership on this offer. It's far better leadership to say now it's going to go ahead than ignore everything that is going on and all the advising given to still insist something can go ahead only to cancel it at the last minute when it is too late to make alternative arrangements.

[telebox2001]

The EBU have put out a strongly worded statement, which you can read here.

[IanJRedman]

I quite agree, tbh. It'd be madness to think the Contest could be staged in Ukraine next year.

[aaron_scotland]

The EBU have put out a strongly worded statement, which you can read here.

Agreed, as soon as you have security experts saying a mass casualty event is highly likely they probably noped right out of the planning.

[Newshound47]

Sadiq Khan has said that while he does hope Ukraine can still host it if not he believes London is fully capable of hosting and he would be happy to support a bid.

[Brekkie]

Of those with an arena big enough Newcastle seems to be the only city not to have publicly declared interest. TBH I couldn't call it at the moment - my inkling is they'll go for one of the nations which realistically suggests Glasgow, Aberdeen or Belfast.

[telebox2001]

Sadiq Khan has said that while he does hope Ukraine can still host it if not he believes London is fully capable of hosting and he would be happy to support a bid.

To be fair most mayors have been very supportive.

[Whataday]

The EBU had a nightmare the last time Ukraine hosted Eurovision and that was when the country wasn't under attack. I'm not surprised they're taking a firm stand on this.

[Newshound47]

Of those with an arena big enough Newcastle seems to be the only city not to have publicly declared interest.  TBH I couldn't call it at the moment - my inkling is they'll go for one of the nations which realistically suggests Glasgow, Aberdeen or Belfast.

I can’t see Belfast or Aberdeen. Glasgow has a good chance through.

[jamied]

The EBU had a nightmare the last time Ukraine hosted Eurovision and that was when the country wasn't under attack. I'm not surprised they're taking a firm stand on this.

Yes, even in peacetime in 2017 they had to belatedly get the Swedes in to help produce the contest. Sadly there is no end in sight to the war and while virtually everyone is fully behind Ukraine it would be madness to host it within its borders with the threat of airstrike.

I'm in no doubt that the 2023 contest can be in total solidarity with Ukraine while hosting it elsewhere.

[telebox2001]

Yep. People like to slag off Björkman and Melzig but without those guys there'd have been no show five years ago.

[peterrocket]

Of those with an arena big enough Newcastle seems to be the only city not to have publicly declared interest.  TBH I couldn't call it at the moment - my inkling is they'll go for one of the nations which realistically suggests Glasgow, Aberdeen or Belfast.

I can’t see Belfast or Aberdeen. Glasgow has a good chance through.

Wouldn't rule Belfast out... it's got more infrastructure than you think and 10 years ago managed to host the MTV European Music Awards without a hitch.  Since then more venues have opened, more hotel rooms available and plenty of space for temporary structures around the SSE venue - so would be in with as good a chance as probably any other nation.

And without getting political...all the benefits of being in the unique position(ish) of still being in the EU, Common Travel Area etc. so logistics will be easier.

[no1fanofthepals]

I can’t see Belfast or Aberdeen. Glasgow has a good chance through.

Wouldn't rule Belfast out... it's got more infrastructure than you think and 10 years ago managed to host the MTV European Music Awards without a hitch.  Since then more venues have opened, more hotel rooms available and plenty of space for temporary structures around the SSE venue - so would be in with as good a chance as probably any other nation.

More recently, Belfast hosted the UEFA Super Cup final last year between Chelsea and Villarreal. Considering they had to host football players, managers and TV broadcasters; they could definitely host a Eurovision.

[ethanh05]

Wouldn't rule Belfast out... it's got more infrastructure than you think and 10 years ago managed to host the MTV European Music Awards without a hitch.  Since then more venues have opened, more hotel rooms available and plenty of space for temporary structures around the SSE venue - so would be in with as good a chance as probably any other nation.

More recently, Belfast hosted the UEFA Super Cup final last year between Chelsea and Villarreal. Considering they had to host football players, managers and TV broadcasters; they could definitely host a Eurovision.

If we're judging on that criteria, Cardiff hosted the same event eight years ago, with around 20,000 more people there.