Under usual circumstances, the song contest is hosted by the winners of the competition from the previous year.
2022 saw Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra provide the winning entry, however the EBU have released a statement, confirming that the UK will host the event instead.
However, Ukraine will automatically qualify for the final next year.
Earlier this month, the organisation revealed plans to look for an alternative host, folloing the ongoing conflict with Russia and Ukraine.
“The EBU fully understands the disappointment that greeted the announcement that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest cannot be staged in Ukraine, this year’s winning country", the EBU said in their statement.
They also added, “The decision was guided by the EBU’s responsibility to ensure the conditions are met to guarantee the safety and security of everyone working and participating in the event, the planning of which needs to begin immediately in the host country".
Reacting to the news, the Eurovision Song Contest's Executuive Supervisior Martin Österdahl said in a statement that he was "exceptionally grateful".
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023", he said.
“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".
The Eurovision was previously hosted in London in 1960, 1963, 1968, and 1977. Edinburgh hosted the contest in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998.
Following a bidding process, a host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be chosen.
