Eurovision 2021 to Happen with 41 Live Performances

Duncan Laurence of the Netherland, the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Photo by Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Shutterstock (10240687b)

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, Eurovision is set to return this year with the final to be held on May 22 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Eurovision Song Contest organizers said that all 41 artists will perform live and in-person at this year’s event. The contestants were previously asked to submit a “live-on-tape” performance in case they couldn’t travel or take part in the competition due to the pandemic.

When speaking to BBC’s Newscast Eurovision’s executive supervisor Martin Österdahl said that the travel to Rotterdam was “necessary” and  “This isn’t a holiday trip, this is actually a job that needs to be done.”

Delegations from each country will be capped to 20 people, which is down from an average of 38, and media and commentators will broadcast from ventilated commentary booths to adhere to safety precautions.

It’s yet to be determined if a live audience will be present, but organizers hope for “the most normal Eurovision song contest that we can”.