British media suggest EU could prepare Brussels bid to host Eurovision 2023

Belgian capital Brussels may be preparing a bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest. British newspaper The Guardian suggests that the European Union are looking at a joint bid to counter the UK bids. They would be doing so in solidarity with Ukraine.

A bid from the European Union?

The Guardian mention the possibility of a bid from the entire European Union in their article regarding the EBU statement, in which the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest announced that Ukraine will not host the contest in 2023. In there, it’s a small paragraph which suggests that sources close to the discussions think it’s far from a done deal that Eurovision will travel to the United Kingdom.

Those unnamed sources suggest that the European Union might be looking at a symbol of solidarity to Ukraine, by offering Brussels as the next host city. Brussels would get the honour as the symbolic capital of the EU. Just yesterday, Ukraine received support from several EU member states in their process of becoming a member. President Zelenskyy is aiming to make his country a member of the EU as soon as possible.

The Belgian city of Brussels has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest once before, in 1987 following Sandra Kim’s victory in Norway. Brussels could offer two potential venues. The first is the Forest National venue in Forest, a suburb of Brussels, with a capacity of 8,400 people. Secondly, they’ve got Paleis 12, which can hold up to 15,000 people. The latter would therefore be the most logical location in Brussels.

How likely is a Brussels bid?

It is interesting that The Guardian mention such a scenario being possible. No other media have yet reported on the UK being challenged for hosting rights. The sign of solidarity from the European Union by denying the United Kingdom hosting rights, does seem a little odd. Neither the EBU, nor the EU or Belgian government themselves, have yet commented on the suggestion by the UK newspaper.

For now, it seems more than likely that Eurovision will travel to the United Kingdom for the first time since 1998. Back then, Birmingham claimed hosting rights. Now, we see many UK cities vying for the right to bring the contest there. No less than thirteen cities have currently expressed an interest, with all four countries (Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England) being in the mix.

What do you think: Are The Guardian onto something by suggesting a rival bid from the European Union? Or is it complete nonsense? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite ESC and JESC acts.