EBU: Eurovision 2021 to take place in Rotterdam

The show Eurovision: Shine A Light is over and things are moving on to the next edition of the contest. EBU and the Dutch broadcasters (AVROTROS, NPO, NOS) announced today that the next Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted in the City of Rotterdam . 

The Host City for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest was announced during Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light, which was broadcast by EBU Members and Associates in over 40 countries in place of this year’s Grand Final on 16 May.

After this year’s unprecedent cancellation of the contest, the EBU,  the Dutch Broacasters and the local authories began ongoing discussions on next year’s edition under the expressed intention by the Dutch side to host next year’s competition. The Rotterdam’s city council had already approved of the extra funding needed for hosting the edition while the Ahoy Arena’s official had cleared decalred their willingness to host the event.

Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s new Executive Supervisor, said:

We are extremely happy that we can now move forward. It’s vitally important that the Eurovision Song Contest returns next year, and we’re pleased to have the necessary commitment from our Members in the Netherlands to bring this much-loved show back to audiences across the world.

I firmly believe that all of us involved in the Eurovision Song Contest will stand united through challenges and change to bring the Contest back stronger than ever, ensuring its longevity for decades to come.

Having to do with an unsteady enviroment and several covid-19 restrictions still enforced while waiting for the vaccine, the EBU and the Dutch organisers will be working the year through in order to adjust the event to the new circumstances and make it happen.

NPO Chairman, Shula Rijxman said:

Now more than ever it is important that we, as a public broadcaster, are committed to continuing this European tradition and are organizing a great event that people can look forward to during these difficult times. We will do everything in our power to arrange a very special Contest.

Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event, added:

Our team is proud and excited to look forward with renewed energy to organize a fantastic Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. Yes, with a sense of realism that fits with the times we live in, but also with ambition and creativity. We are looking forward to working with the entire Eurovision family to make it happen.

So far a total of 18 acts have been confirmed for the next edition of the contest while more news on the dates and detail of the next contest to be released in the weeks and months to come.