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Eurovision Song Contest 2021: Rotterdam

Eurovision Song Contest 2021: Rotterdam

Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in May 2021, after Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to coronavirus. Find all the information about Eurovision 2021: Date, City, Participants, Arena, Eurovision Village, Euroclub and Euro Café

The slogan for Eurovision 2021 was Open Up and the logo and theme artwork had also been revealed – The slogan copied from the cancelled Eurovision 2020, and the logo was slightly modified.

The contest had four hosts: Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit and Nikkie de Jager.

Eurovision 2021 logo
Logo of Eurovision 2021
Eurovision 2021 hosts: Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit, Nikkie de Jager
Hosts of Eurovision 2021: Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit and Nikkie de Jager (Photo: Koers von Cremer / NPO / NOS / AVROTROS)

When was Eurovision 2021?

The Eurovision week had three shows: Semi-final 1 on Tuesday, Semi-final 2 on Thursday and the Grand Final on Saturday.

  • Semi-final 1: 18 May 2021
  • Semi-final 2: 20 May 2021
  • Grand Final: 22 May 2021

Eurovision 2021 and COVID-19

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Dutch Host Broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS had been working on 4 basic scenarios for hosting Eurovision 2021, depending on the status of COVID-19.

They had come to a conclusion, to go ahead with Scenario B: Social distancing.

SCENARIO B

Social distancing

Everyone attending the Eurovision Song Contest at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena would need to practice social distancing.

Strict health and safety measures (including frequent COVID-19 testing) would be in place at the venue. A protocol to protect artists, delegations, and crew on and off site would be adhered to.

If there are any delegations who cannot travel to Rotterdam, their artists will perform “live-on-tape” with a recorded performance being used.

Those who can travel to Rotterdam will perform their songs live on stage.

There would be 9 shows (6 dress rehearsals, 2 Semi-Finals and a Grand Final), either with no audience or a reduced audience to allow for social distancing. The final capacity would be dependent on local government guidelines.

There will be activities in the city of Rotterdam held in a safe and responsible way.

Read more: Eurovision 2021 and COVID-19: Scenario B confirmed.

Read more: Eurovision 2021 and COVID-19: EBU will focus on Scenario B.

Eurovision 2021 COVID-19 Scenarios
Photo: EBU

Host City: Rotterdam

Following the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, the European Broadcasting Union, EBU and the Dutch broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS and the City of Rotterdam entered discussions on the possibilities of hosting Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam.

It was later confirmed that Eurovision Song Contest 2021 would be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Arena: Rotterdam Ahoy

Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena was chosen as the arena for Eurovision Song Contest 2020, and again for Eurovision 2021.

Rotterdam Ahoy consists of three halls with the largest being with a capacity of 15,000, which meets all the conditions set by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

For Eurovision Song Contest 2021, there were a maximum capacity of 3,500 people in the audience due to COVID-19 restrictions. All spectators were seated.

Two smaller halls in the complex have a capacity of 6,000 and 4,000, Perfect for delegations and press centre.

Rotterdam Ahoy hosted Junior Eurovision 2007.

Netherlands 2020 Arena: Ahoy Rotterdam
Inside Rotterdam Ahoy
Netherlands 2020 Arena: Ahoy Rotterdam
Inside Rotterdam Ahoy

Participants

39 countries participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021:

Some of the artists remain the same as for Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Each country's broadcaster decided if their 2020-artist should represent their country at Eurovision 2021, or if they should select another artist. 26 artists from 2020 were selected for Eurovision 2021:

COUNTRYARTIST 2020EUROVISION 2021
AlbaniaArilena AraAnxhela Peristeri to Eurovision 2021
ArmeniaAthena ManoukianWithdrew from Eurovision 2021
AustraliaMontaigneMontaigne to Eurovision 2021
AustriaVincent BuenoVincent Bueno to Eurovision 2021
AzerbaijanEfendiEfendi to Eurovision 2021
BelarusVALDisqualified from Eurovision 2021
BelgiumHooverphonicHooverphonic to Eurovision 2021
BulgariaVictoriaVictoria to Eurovision 2021
CroatiaDamir KedžoAlbina to Eurovision 2021
CyprusSandroElena Tsagrinou to Eurovision 2021
CzechiaBenny CristoBenny Cristo to Eurovision 2021
DenmarkBen & TanFyr og Flamme to Eurovision 2021
EstoniaUku SuvisteUku Suviste to Eurovision 2021 (winner of Eesti Laul 2021)
FinlandAkselBlind Channel to Eurovision 2021
FranceTom LeebBarbara Pravi to Eurovision 2021
GeorgiaTornike KipianiTornike Kipiani to Eurovision 2021
GermanyBen DolicJendrik to Eurovision 2021
GreeceStefaniaStefania to Eurovision 2021
IcelandDaði & GagnamagniðDaði & Gagnamagnið to Eurovision 2021
IrelandLesley RoyLesley Roy to Eurovision 2021
IsraelEden AleneEden Alene to Eurovision 2021
ItalyDiodatoMåneskin to Eurovision 2021
LatviaSamanta TīnaSamanta Tīna to Eurovision 2021
LithuaniaThe RoopThe Roop to Eurovision 2021 (winner of Pabandom iš naujo 2021)
MaltaDestinyDestiny to Eurovision 2021
MoldovaNatalia GordienkoNatalia Gordienko to Eurovision 2021
NetherlandsJeangu MacrooyJeangu Macrooy to Eurovision 2021
North N.MacedoniaVasilVasil to Eurovision 2021
NorwayUlrikkeTIX to Eurovision 2021
PolandAlicjaRafał to Eurovision 2021
PortugalElisaThe Black Mamba to Eurovision 2021
RomaniaRoxenRoxen to Eurovision 2021
RussiaLittle BigManizha to Eurovision 2021
San MarinoS.MarinoSenhitSenhit to Eurovision 2021
SerbiaHurricaneHurricane to Eurovision 2021
SloveniaAna SokličAna Soklič to Eurovision 2021
SpainBlas CantóBlas Cantó to Eurovision 2021
SwedenThe MamasTusse to Eurovision 2021
SwitzerlandSwissGjon's TearsGjon's Tears to Eurovision 2021
UkraineGo_AGo_A to Eurovision 2021
United KingdomUKJames NewmanJames Newman to Eurovision 2021

Who's in which Semi-final?

Eurovision 2021 Semi-finals Running Order
Eurovision 2021: Semi-final running order

The Netherlands and the Big-5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) were pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The rest of the countries were allocated to one of the two Semi-finals. The Semi-final allocation remained the same as for Eurovision 2020, except for Armenia who withdrew from Eurovision 2021, and Belarus who was disqualified from the contest.

Eurovision 2021 Semi-finals Running Order
Eurovision 2021: Semi-final running order

10 countries from each of the two Semi-finals proceeded to the Grand Final that featured a total of 26 countries: 10 from Semi-final 1, 10 from Semi-final 2, Big-5 and Netherlands.

Tickets

The tickets bought for the cancelled Eurovision 2020 were refunded. The ticket holders for these tickets had the option to buy one of the 3,500 tickets for Eurovision 2021.

Read more: How to get tickets for Eurovision 2021.

Eurovision Village / EuroClub / EuroCafé

Usually there are lots of events happening outside the arena for the whole Eurovision week:

  • Eurovision Village is normally the official festival area during Eurovision Song Contest, with live performances by artists, DJs, special events and public viewing of the shows broadcast from the Arena.
  • EuroClub is the venue for some special parties, the official after parties and performances by participants.
  • EuroCafé (also known as Euro Fan Café) is the place for fans to meet for parties and special events during the Eurovision week, organized by the OGAE fan clubs.

All the events surrounding Eurovision Song Contest 2021 were cancelled. Due to the current COVID-19 measures and restrictions the delegations have been asked to stay in their hotels as much as possible.

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