The wind machines, hairspray and questionable costumes of Eurovision could take a step closer to Bucksburn, after a proposal to allocate £30,000 towards a bid to host the event was raised at Aberdeen Council.
Speculation over the host city has been rife since the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the song contest, announced they hope to bring it to the UK next year.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra swept to victory at the event last month, but the organisers said the impact of Russia’s invasion meant it would be impossible for the winning country to host as normal.
Sam Ryder achieved second place for the UK in Milan – the best British result in years – meaning responsibility naturally fell in that direction.
Among the most widely touted alternative locations are Glasgow, Sheffield and Birmingham – and now Aberdeen can be added to the list.
The EBU has issued the statement below regarding the hosting of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest
Find it online here ➡️ https://t.co/kPWQzTM218#Eurovision #ESC2023 pic.twitter.com/9AV5X9R1Be
— EBU (@EBU_HQ) June 17, 2022
Councillor Ryan Houghton suggested at today’s finance committee meeting that £30,000 could be committed towards bringing Eurovision to the P&J Live.
It would comfortable be the largest event hosted in the Bucksburn venue since it opened three years ago, surpassing the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2019.
An urgent motion from the council’s Conservative group leader said the city is “without doubt the best place to host such a European event given Aberdeen remains the Energy Capital of Europe”.
The motion would also instruct the local authority’s chief executive to write to the UK and Scottish Governments asking for their support in Aberdeen’s Eurovision bid.
Abba-deen or a bad idea?
Early reactions to the possibility of the Granite City playing host to the glittery spectacle – among the most-watched non-sporting events in the world – were mixed.
And it remains to be seen whether the contest even comes to these shores after all, with figures including Boris Johnson saying all efforts should still be made to ensure Ukraine can host next year.
Mr Houghton himself conceded the circumstances were not ideal, saying: “I think everyone would rather that Eurovision be held in Ukraine next year ideally.
“However, I am sure everyone is aware that the European Broadcasting Union is now in talks with the BBC to look to host it in the UK as we placed second.
“To that end, I was looking for the council to join others – cross-party, across the city – to look to bring what would be an incredible event to our own city.
“I am glad we were able to agree for officers to do a bit of background work to better inform the council before making any formal bid next week.”
The SNP have already shown their support for the bid, with they party’s MSPs and MPs writing a letter to BBC director general Tim Davie asking him to consider Aberdeen.
Council co-leader Alex Nicoll said: “Hosting Eurovision would be huge for the city.
“It would give a big boost to the local businesses and would showcase our city on a global stage.
“There’s clearly cross-party support for this and it would be good to have a Team Aberdeen working to bring Eurovision to our city.”
Here’s why next year’s Eurovision should be held at P&J Live in Aberdeen
Conversation