Glasgow bidding to host Eurovision 2023 after confirmation it's coming to the UK

The city council thinks Glasgow is 'a safe pairs of hands' after hosting COP26

Glasgow
Author: Nicolle CasselsPublished 25th Jul 2022
Last updated 25th Jul 2022

Glasgow City Council bosses have confirmed the city is submitting a bid to host Eurovision next year.

It comes after the European Broadcasting Union and the BBC announced the annual competition will be held in the UK.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said the city is a "safe pair of hands" after hosting COP26 last November.

They 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."

While Ukraine won the contest in May, the EBU said the event "regrettably" could not be held in the country, following the Russian invasion earlier this year.

Edinburgh hosted the contest at the Usher Hall in 1972 and has been the only Scottish city to do so.

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

"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."

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