Leeds has expressed its interest in hosting Eurovision 2023, following news that the BBC is to discuss hosting the competition with the EBU.
Leeds has become one of the first cities in the United Kingdom to express its interest in hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. The announcement from the City Council comes after the EBU announced today that Ukraine would not host in 2023 and that discussions would now commence with the BBC.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council and Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy and culture released a statement reading:
“It goes without saying that Leeds will be bidding to host Eurovision in 2023. Together with ASM Global, the operators of the First Direct Arena in Leeds, we have already been in touch with both the Government and the BBC to discuss our plans. Leeds has already proved that it has the capability and capacity to host major international events and ASM Global successfully hosted Eurovision in the Avicii Arena, Stockholm Sweden in 2016. Given that we will be mid-way through the Leeds 2023 year of culture, it could not come at a better time.
“We are extremely disappointed that Ukraine will be unable to host in 2023, but it would be an honour to host on behalf of them, especially given that West Yorkshire is home to a large number of Ukrainians. If we are successful with our bid, we will be looking to get the local Ukrainian community involved with our plans as much as possible.”
The First Direct Arena in Leeds was opened in 2013 and has hosted a variety of singers, performers, shows and sporting events. The venue can host up to 13,781 persons and is the largest in the city and the fifth-largest indoor arena in the United Kingdom.
Leeds is home to over 520,000 people and is located in West Yorkshire, the city and surrounding area is home to over 1.7 million people. The city is known for its role in the Industrial Revolution and is connected to the rest of Europe via Leeds Bradford International Airport.
Should the United Kingdom agree to host the 2023 contest, it would be the fifth occasion on which the country has hosted after the original host nation was unable to, following for the Netherlands in 1960, France in 1963, Monaco in 1972 and Luxembourg in 1974. It would also extend the United Kingdom’s record of hosting the contest to nine times.
Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania”. It was Ukraine’s third victory in the contest’s history.
Image Source: ASM Global | Source: Leeds City Council
