It’s way too early to start betting on the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. But that isn’t stopping the bookies from forming their opinions…and courting interest from punters who want to take a largely blind punt.

Ukraine, the landslide winners of the most recent edition, top the odds table. Forecasters clearly think the goodwill shown toward the Ukrainian act in Turin will continue into the next edition of the contest. Although Ukraine won’t host this year’s show in the traditional sense, its win will be honoured during the contest. Will public sympathies translate into votes once more? Or could they experience something akin to the “host country curse” that we’ve witnessed with other countries? 

Eurovision 2023 odds to win: Ukraine early favourite

 
 
 
 
 
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Italy is the bookies’ second favourite. They did incredibly well for a host country in 2022, placing sixth with Blanco & Mahmood’s “Brividi.” The perennial strength of Sanremo likely explains this early positioning. 

Sweden, who last won in 2015, find themselves in familiar territory. Melodifestivalen guarantees a wide pool of songs that could likely be competitive at ESC.

This year’s hosts — the United Kingdom — currently sit in fourth. This may reflect confidence in the BBC’s continued partnership with TaP Music — the company that chose Sam Ryder and his song “SPACE MAN” for Eurovision 2022. As you’ll recall, he won the jury vote and finished second overall.

Spain, which reached new heights with Chanel and BenidormFest, finds itself sitting pretty too. The oddsmakers seem hopeful that the expanded 2023 edition of Benidorm Fest will slay just as hard as the contest that gave us “SloMo.”

In Turin, France failed to replicate the dazzling success from Rotterdam. But hopes appear strong for Paris to surge again in the U.K. 

Interestingly, Israel’s Noa Kirel, the first artist to be confirmed for Eurovision 2023, currently sits well down in the table. Her best price is a rather unimpressive 66/1. This will surprise many, given Noa’s vast experience on huge stages and the big budget she’ll bring with her. 

It’s been reported that Eurovision winning songwriter Doron Medalie will join the Israeli delegation, so she’s very much in good hands. 

What do you think of the odds? Is it too early? Let us know down below!

133 Comments
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DB1981
DB1981
1 year ago

Ukraine is not the favorite to win. It is going to be a battle between Sweden, Finland, France, Norway, Czehia, Serbia and maybe will join UK. Thats it.

Eurofan
Eurofan
1 year ago

United Kingdom one the favourites. Seriously. Two things wrong with that. Firstly, we haven’t heard the song yet and secondly, countries hosting the competition usually do badly. Let’s face it the reason we did well last year was very little to do with the song and everything to do with Sam Ryder. Apart from the iconic falsetto Spaceman being belted out the rest of the song was very unremarkable with questionable lyrics. Unless we get another Sam don’t rule out an underwhelming finish.

Matthias Eber
Matthias Eber
1 year ago

If Europe give pity votes to Ukraine again it could damage the reputation of the contest. 1 year okay, but another time? No one would take the voting serious anymore

VeePee
VeePee
1 year ago

So many National Finals will show later but at least Finland has one good song to show. Need to see if it continues to ESC 2023.

Just look it: Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha (Lyric Video) // UMK23

Michalis Vasileiou
Michalis Vasileiou
1 year ago

At least at the moment there is not heard ? next to the name Ukraine?.. If you remember last year it was the ukraine first with? but at the moment no.

Patrick Pastor
Patrick Pastor
1 year ago

As an odds junkie, t’s never too early!

It is too early to trust them at this stage, however. Right now, they’re based on past ESC results (part of why Ukraine’s so high).

It’s important to remember that odds seven months before the contest are like polls a year before an election.

I think the best time to tune into the odds is in February/March, when most National Finals are underway.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick Pastor

Like I said before, it’s way too early to put out odds when we don’t have anything yet. Sick of people bellyaching about Ukraine winning again when that might not happen next year.

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

If the war continues Ukraine will still win. And no one country would come close.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
1 year ago

I know I must not be the only one who’s fed up about Ukraine at this point.

1998
1998
1 year ago

Definitely not. I’m also sick and tired of Ukraine.

Ksenija
Ksenija
1 year ago

Ugh

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago

The odds at this time of the year are simply a joke.

Dida
Dida
1 year ago

Oh, please. Not Ukraine again…

Ritoli
Ritoli
1 year ago

Noa Kirel is not interested in winning, she participates in the competition mainly to promote her international career, therefore she will bring the best song, the most special song and the best performance, she wants to be talked about so I don’t worry… she will bring an outstanding performance And if she wins, she will win, but that’s really not her main goal.

Ritoli
Ritoli
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

And if anyone thinks that Noa will perform with an ordinary pop song, they are definitely wrong.. She already said in an interview that the song will be special and her team wants the song and the performance to be unique, not just a singer with a boring pop song and dancers.. they intend to bring something special like Israel 2018.. .

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

Israel 2018 is the worst song in the history of the contest

Eurofan
Eurofan
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

Can’t disagree. An absolute shocker.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

So if she won she’s going to refuse taking that crystal mic? Xd nah, she wants to promote music, sure, but everyone wants to win

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago
Reply to  Dawid

Also, winning the contest is more likely to give your career a boost and get international attention than not winning. Not necessarily, as we saw with Rosa Linn being very successful with her 20th place song, but it is usually a better starting point. So it’s not like these two goals contradict each other.

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago

A secure bet. 100% chances of winning.

Pluma
Pluma
1 year ago

Hilarious

esc2022turin
esc2022turin
1 year ago

For the people that are already moaning because Ukraine leads the odds while there’s only 1 confirmed artist and no songs and 7.5 months to the contest, I will be really surprised if Ukraine wins again next year, the war in the country is already less hyped than how it was before and I doubt that there will be a lot of votes to support Ukraine as there were this year + I also think that most the juries will purposely put Ukraine low because if they win again, there will be probably a mass withdrawal from 2024 as a… Read more »

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  esc2022turin

You forget that Eurovision 2023 will be a big sympathy fest for Ukraine.

esc2022turin
esc2022turin
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

It will be a festival hosted in the UK including Ukrainian elements but because Ukraine won this year and can’t host, not because Ukraine is in a war and needs support

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  esc2022turin

People were surprised this year too

Jake
Jake
1 year ago

Given all the displaced Ukrainians now living throughout Europe…isn’t it very logical that Ukraine might once again win the televote by landslide? it’s the age old issue of diasporas voting in their new country of residency, but in a much bigger way

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

Not really, because those who were displaced have much bigger priorities in their lives right now, such is where to live, how to provide for their families. The last thing they will want is to spend money on some TV show music contest. Ukraine is definitely not going to win the next edition, this is just bookies being bookies, early favoring those who end not winning all the time

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

Everyone can have priorities but that doesn’t mean they’ll deprive themselves of watching a TV show on a Saturday night every now and then

Bb Tt
Bb Tt
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

As if 2022 was not already rigged. lol
“Televote” sure.

Samo
Samo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

There are not enough Ukrainians to make a meaningful difference in most of countries’ televote results.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Samo

There’s almost 5 milion people from Ukraine in Poland.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

Not even all the participants are defined and there are already favorites, wtf!?
Ps: this is a proof that pathological gambling is a serious problem

Devito
1 year ago

Anyone betting before February-March needs a medical examination and he or she must admit that fact.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Devito

Sometimes I feel that even then it’s too soon, but you’re right, pathological gambling is a serious problem

Gav
Gav
1 year ago
Reply to  Devito

Hmmm. I put a bet on Euphoria when I herd it at the Melodifestivalen In early February and then went on to win £800 from a very small bet!

I’d say I’m more genius! Xxx

However- placing bets without a concept of the song or artist is a bit silly

Efraim
Efraim
1 year ago

Spare me the nonsense, will you? These odds are built on basically nothing, since we only know one artist and not a single song has been revealed. It’s far too early to pay any sort of attention to them.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Efraim

I second everything you said.

ESC8
ESC8
1 year ago

Betting odds are not to be trusted this early. It is true though that Ukraine, despite the fact that it is in a way the host, will do quite well. I don’t think that it’s gonna win again, in the age of televoting no country has managed to win back to back, but if they send something really good, then a second victory is definitely on the cards. Besides, this time it might be a win because of the jury voting, but I think that they need a really good song. Stefania was not a bad one, from the 1st… Read more »

now that i see the light
now that i see the light
1 year ago

The only fair Ukrainian victory is the one they got in Istanbul

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

Bruh, you might not like the fact that Kalush won this year but they also won back in 2016 too

Bb Tt
Bb Tt
1 year ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

2016 (along with 2022) was also political win, what do you mean? lol

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Bb Tt

Ukraine 2016 is an all-time great entry, it was a very good thing for ESC that it managed to win ahead of the “plastic” ones from Russia and Australia.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

Sure, but it doesn’t change fact that it was basically “F U Russia” song, after Crimea invasion

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

I don’t think Ukraine will win again (though if they bring a great song, why not?)

It’s ridiculously early to tell anything right now, of course the current odds favorites are the country that got a good result last year.

Michi
Michi
1 year ago

The best song must be win not the country how have the worst situation

andreas
andreas
1 year ago

no need for good artists to appear because Ukraine will take it again and the others have no chance in the ‘Ukranian Solidarity Show’ (formerly eurovision song contest)

Nils
Nils
1 year ago
Reply to  andreas

I’d rather say, there’s no need for you to appear on this site, hun.

andreas
andreas
1 year ago

Armenia is in war too and Cyprus is in war since 1974 with Turkey illegally occpying its territory, but no victory was ever given to Armenia or Cyprus, because maybe people are unaware, and not brainwashed by the media and their corrupt politicians.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  andreas

I’d say unaware. And it’s happening for years. Ukraine’s one is recent

ESCLover
ESCLover
1 year ago

Putin has killed our beloved contest…:( nothing is the same anymore, especially fairness and Justice at ESC… if Ukraine wins JESC in December that means the contest is over until the war is over.. And in case of children it is even harder to accept politics deciding about the outcome… 20th edition of JESC was suppose to be a big celebration, seeing mamy countries to return or debut. But it will be one of the smallest contests ever (only in 2020 it was less because of the Covid pandemic). I Think we all know why so many countries refused to… Read more »

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago

Rosalia is out of question. She is not stopping her career to take part at ESC. But I am pretty sure that many Spanish artists are putting everything in this Benidorm Fest. I am looking forward to it.

Gilad Eilon
1 year ago

The songs doesn’t matter, Ukraine will win for the same reason they won this year. This is annoying that would happen and a country will win twice in a row just for the fact they are in war.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Gilad Eilon

I would be sceptical if they won by just a little bit, but they got so many televotes that jury vote basically didn’t mean anything. Unless voting system gets changed or war ends next week, they will win again, period. Let’s just hope that song is good.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Gilad Eilon

That´s not true

Alfie28
Alfie28
1 year ago

O M F G — Really? We need a post like this already? In September? This needs to be taken down. OF COURSE it is too early. This is like asking what the weather will be like in 7 months.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Of course it’s too soon to call this out. Every year before any countries reveal their entries, the only thing the bookmakers can go off of are past results and ongoing trends. Given Ukraine’s status, it’s easy to thoughtlessly put them in 1st because ‘people will still support Ukraine if the war doesn’t end’. What if it does? What if Ukraine’s entry doesn’t resonate with people like Stefania did? Anything can happen next year, and for all we know… we could be in for a surprise or two.

Giorgio
Giorgio
1 year ago

Im Italian and I want us to win again but I am shocked by the so called fans who claim that they wont watch the contest if Ukraine wins in ’23. Is this what you are watching the contest for? Not the artists, not the music, not the show itself? The winner is literally a small part, the last minutes in the show that spans three days and is months and months in the making. And as we have seen it doesnt guarrantee that the winner will even host the following year, so why do you care so much? Because… Read more »

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Giorgio

I mean, i will watch it but ngl, voting part makes me want to watch something else

Edward
Edward
1 year ago

Personally I don’t think Ukraine will win it again, unless they really send a song that is worthy. This year it was kind of predictable but next year even if the war continues I don’t think they will have a big support like this year

PP77
PP77
1 year ago
Reply to  Edward

We hope. Last 2 victories for Ukraine was only thanks to so much politics involve in ESC from period from Jon Ola Sand

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  PP77

Won in 2016 because they had the best song.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

As others already said, if they win again I’ll stop watching this contest.

Nils
Nils
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yeah, you sure are a big fan of Eurovision, then.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

X2, at least until the war is over and somebody else wins in a later edition

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

I don’t think that they will win again even if the war proceeds.

Jack Needham
Jack Needham
1 year ago

It would be nice if Ukraine does get another victory but I hope Spain makes a comeback next year and get their third victory like they should’ve gotten this year.

tom
tom
1 year ago

Armenia has war too, they also deserve to win and attention, i am tired of Ukraine at this point, but i understand it 🙂

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

I mean, songs aren’t even released yet. How do you know they “deserve to win”

Man
Man
1 year ago
Reply to  Dawid

Its Ukraine

NickC
NickC
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

According to international consensus, it is Azerbaijan being invaded, not Armenia.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

I think these odds are realistic at this stage. I don’t think the situation in the Ukraine is going to have as much of an impact in terms of results next year but, regardless, Ukraine are one of the most consistent countries in terms of producing quality songs for Eurovision. I think they deserve to be up there somewhere. I would probably have Australia/Netherlands higher than Switzerland. Last year was a bit more of a return to the Swiss form we’re used to at Eurovision, whereas Australia got back to being a bit more competitive and the Netherlands are again,… Read more »

Akira
Akira
1 year ago

Eurovision 2023 has just not started. But Ukrainians are starting to think about victory goddamned

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago
Reply to  Akira

Which ukrainians?

Akira
Akira
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

I’m talking about singers from Ukraine, that may win Eurovision again.

Lou
Lou
1 year ago

i mean we all cant say ‘100% UKRAINE WILL WIN!’ But theres a good chance they will but i do know for sure they will win JESC this year.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

No, not sure Ukraine will win for sure. And no, of course countries will not stop competing if Ukraine wins again. They might skip one year but that will not be to Ukraine winning. Its ridicilous to assume countries will leave. Did countries leave when Ireland won three years in a row?

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

Eh, UK last won in 1997 which was 26 years ago. Clearly a long time ago.
Did you perhaps meant to say Ukraine?

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

26 years ago… against 54 years ago in the case of Spain. He definitely meant UK.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

We all know Ukraine is going to win. Downvote all you like, but it’s true. We all know it. Anyone who wants to believe otherwise is in denial.

Samo
Samo
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

No, it’s not true and there’s absolutely no reason to expect it. Wars has been going on in Ukraine for over 8 years and Ukraine only won twice, both times with exceptional songs. It’s all down to what they send. It is however true that they have great track record in Eurovision and tend to send strong entries so we’ll have to wait and see…

Odds at this point are completely irrelevant.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Samo

OK. So denial.

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Samo

There were other exceptional songs, that’s the point.

Gilad Eilon
1 year ago
Reply to  Samo

You are so not aware, Ukraine odds this year went through the roof the day Russia invades Ukraine, they will jesc and esc next year, and tbh I am a big fan but this is disappointing…

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

We haven’t had a back-to-back winner in a while. That would be iconic.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

some fans thought Italy would be the first back-to-back winners since Ireland in the 90s but y’all know that didn’t happen.

Boozyfloozy69
Boozyfloozy69
1 year ago

If they win again on sympathy voting then that’s my days watching the contest over. It’s wrong and unfair on everyone else.

Vicky
1 year ago

My absolutely innocent comment waits for approval……It’s been 1 hour. Looks like I am on blacklist on Wiwi…..?

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Trying too much can be totally unproductive too cause it can feel too calculated, however only Spain really want to win out of 39 participating countries, come on, Norway, Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, France, Malta among many others, they all deserve to win, they all want to win and they haven’t woken up only since this year so…

Kristina B
Kristina B
1 year ago

Ukraine won’t win. Unless Eurovision wants to became a circus.

Esc a00ddict
Esc a00ddict
1 year ago

Trying too much can be totally unproductive too, only Spain want to win out of 39 participants, come on, Norway, Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, France, Malta among others they all want to win too and these countries didn’t wake up only this year so…

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Of course it’s too early and these odds are not relevant at all, the only “advantage” is that the eurofans have something to discuss and to complain about earlier than usual.

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

‘Is it too early’? Yes. Yes, it is too early. Waaay too early.

And those predicting Ukraine to win the next and every other forthcoming edition will find themselves ridiculed.

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
1 year ago

For the sake of the fanbase and the integrity of the show (as little left as it is), let’s hope Ukraine doesn’t win again.

1998
1998
1 year ago

If Ukraine wins again, I can see in 2024 having the contest even smaller than 2014.