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.
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.
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.
Participants
39 countries participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021:
Albania
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
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:
COUNTRY | ARTIST 2020 | EUROVISION 2021 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | Arilena Ara | Anxhela Peristeri to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Armenia | Athena Manoukian | Withdrew from Eurovision 2021 | ||
Australia | Montaigne | Montaigne to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Austria | Vincent Bueno | Vincent Bueno to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Azerbaijan | Efendi | Efendi to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Belarus | VAL | Disqualified from Eurovision 2021 | ||
Belgium | Hooverphonic | Hooverphonic to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Bulgaria | Victoria | Victoria to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Croatia | Damir Kedžo | Albina to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Cyprus | Sandro | Elena Tsagrinou to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Czechia | Benny Cristo | Benny Cristo to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Denmark | Fyr og Flamme to Eurovision 2021 | |||
Estonia | Uku Suviste | Uku Suviste to Eurovision 2021 (winner of Eesti Laul 2021) | ||
Finland | Aksel | Blind Channel to Eurovision 2021 | ||
France | Tom Leeb | Barbara Pravi to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Georgia | Tornike Kipiani | Tornike Kipiani to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Germany | Ben Dolic | Jendrik to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Greece | Stefania | Stefania to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Iceland | ||||
Ireland | Lesley Roy | Lesley Roy to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Israel | Eden Alene | Eden Alene to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Italy | Diodato | Måneskin to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Latvia | Samanta Tīna | Samanta Tīna to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Lithuania | The Roop | The Roop to Eurovision 2021 (winner of Pabandom iš naujo 2021) | ||
Malta | Destiny | Destiny to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Moldova | Natalia Gordienko | Natalia Gordienko to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Netherlands | Jeangu Macrooy | Jeangu Macrooy to Eurovision 2021 | ||
North N.Macedonia | Vasil | Vasil to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Norway | Ulrikke | TIX to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Poland | Alicja | Rafał to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Portugal | Elisa | The Black Mamba to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Romania | Roxen | Roxen to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Russia | Little Big | Manizha to Eurovision 2021 | ||
San MarinoS.Marino | Senhit | Senhit to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Serbia | Hurricane | Hurricane to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Slovenia | Ana Soklič | Ana Soklič to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Spain | Blas Cantó | Blas Cantó to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Sweden | The Mamas | Tusse to Eurovision 2021 | ||
SwitzerlandSwiss | Gjon's Tears | Gjon's Tears to Eurovision 2021 | ||
Ukraine | Go_A | Go_A to Eurovision 2021 | ||
United KingdomUK | James Newman | James Newman to Eurovision 2021 |
Who's in which Semi-final?
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.
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.