Overview
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 65th edition of the long-running song competition and took place in Rotterdam in the Netherlands from 18 to 22 May 2021. The country hosted after Dutch singer Duncan Laurence won for the Netherlands in Tel Aviv in 2019, and the planned 2020 event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 edition returned to the live-television contest format with two semi-finals and a grand final, and it built in several new rules and contingency procedures to cope with pandemic-related travel and health restrictions.
Format and contingency planning
The contest followed the familiar structure of two semi-finals and a final, with participating broadcasters selecting an entry and performers representing their country. Organisers from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the host broadcaster prepared multiple scenarios to allow the show to proceed under different public-health conditions. These ranged from a full live show with a limited audience to staged shows without spectators and plans in which delegations unable to travel could rely on a pre-recorded, verified "live-on-tape" performance.
- Scenario planning: Routes for live staging, no-audience performances, and backup recorded segments.
- Health measures: Testing, bubbles for delegations, and reduced delegation sizes.
- Broadcast continuity: Rules to validate prerecorded performances as last-resort entries.
Participation, withdrawals and disqualification
The EBU initially confirmed entries from most active member broadcasters. In total, 39 countries competed. A few broadcasters that had planned to enter in 2020 remained absent in 2021, and others withdrew or were excluded for specific reasons. Notably, one proposed entry was disqualified for breaching the contest rules; several delegations also made use of the backup recording option rather than travel in person.
- Host city: Rotterdam hosted the event across broadcast venues and rehearsal sites.
- Background: The return to competition followed the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 and the replacement broadcast Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light.
- Context: The contest took place under pandemic conditions that influenced travel and staging decisions.
Results and significance
The winner of the 2021 contest was Italy, represented by the rock band Måneskin with the song "Zitti e buoni." Their victory marked Italy’s first win in several years and underscored the contest’s capacity to spotlight emerging international pop and rock acts. The results were determined by a combination of professional juries and public televote from participating countries. Beyond the trophy, the contest in 2021 was notable as a test case for how large international cultural events could be staged during a pandemic while preserving the core rules and live-broadcast elements of Eurovision.
Legacy and notable facts
Eurovision 2021 is remembered for its mixture of traditional live spectacle and pandemic-era innovations such as verified backup recordings. It reaffirmed the contest’s role as a high-profile television event that blends music, national representation, and international voting. The European Broadcasting Union’s multi-scenario approach and the use of contingency filming practices have informed subsequent editions and other global events facing similar uncertainties.
For more detailed timelines, participant lists and official materials, consult the contest pages and EBU communications: Tel Aviv 2019 context, host country notes, and additional broadcaster briefings available through the organisers: contest overview, 2020 replacement broadcast, and procedural documents from the EBU. Historical and fan resources also provide match-by-match coverage and voting breakdowns: see general guides at health-and-safety guidance and archival coverage at Rotterdam host records.