The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 65th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It was held at the Ahoy Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands following Duncan Laurence giving the country its fifth win at the 2020 Contest in Tel Aviv with the song "Arcade". The Contest consisted of two semi-finals and a final held on 18, 20 and 22 May respectively.
Following the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic the EBU and the Contest's group reference team set about discussing carryovers from the 2020 Contest with various parties such as host city and participating artists.
Although several artists confirmed their return to represent their country it was confirmed on March 20 that due to EBU rules they must perform an entirely new song.
Thirty-nine countries announced their participation with no country debuting and both Bulgaria and Ukraine returning. Belarus, who had originally announced their intention to participate, were eventually disqualified after their second attempt at submitting an entry was deemed to be against EBU rules due to its political theme.
It was won by Italy who was represented by rock band Måneskin with the song "Zitti e buoni". This was the third time the country had won the Contest, as well as being their first victory since 1990 in Zagreb. With France and Switzerland completing the top 3 (and also achieving its best results since the 1990s), it would mark the first time since the 1995 Contest and the first time since the free language rule was re-introduced in 1999 that the Top 3 songs were in a language other than English.
Location[]
Following the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, the EBU began talks with Dutch broadcasters AVROTROS, NPO and NOS, as well as Rotterdam, on the possibility of being the host city at this year's edition.
A special televised event, which aired on May 16, 2020 in place of the grand final of the 2020 Contest, officially confirmed that Rotterdam, which was set to host the former edition, would be the host city.
Venue[]
On 30 August 2019, it was announced that the Ahoy Rotterdam was the chosen venue to host the 2020 Contest. The venue is a convention center with a capacity of 11,000 to 12,000 and was previously the host venue for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007.
Format[]
Semi-final allocation draw
Because the semifinal allocation draw conducted on 28 January 2020 was completed prior to the cancellation of the contest, the results of the draw including the allocations of the pre-qualified countries were carried over to 2021, eliminating the need to conduct an entirely new draw. The Netherlands would retain its #23 running order position for the grand final.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 | Pot 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Theme[]
In September 2020, the EBU announced that the planned theme 'Open Up' would be used once more for this Contest.
Logo[]
The revamped official logo and branding was unveiled on 4 December 2020. Designed by CLEVER°FRANKE, it is "an abstract presentation inspired by the map of world and visually connects the location of the capitals of the 41 participating countries with Rotterdam as Europe’s beating heart".
Stage[]
On 2 December 2019, an image of the stage design was revealed with organizers opting for a flatter, more minimalist and modern look typical of the Dutch landscape. It was also confirmed that the Green Room would be making a return to the arena. To encourage social distancing, the space in front of the stage usually reserved for the standing spectators was covered up and the Green Room was set up there.
During the announcement of the dates of the Contest, Sietse Bakker, executive producer, stated that the planned 2020 stage design will also be used.
Participating countries[]
Returning artists[]
| Artist | Note |
|---|---|
| Vincent Bueno | Provided backing vocals for Nathan Trent, who represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kiev. He was due to represent the country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Senhit | Represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf with the song "Stand By", failing to qualify from the second semi-final. She was due to represent the country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Stefania | Represented her home country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Kiev as part of the group Kisses with the song "Kisses and Dancin'", finishing in 8th place. She was due to represent the country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Destiny Chukunyere | Represented her home country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Sofia with the song "Not My Soul", giving it its second win. Provided backing vocals for the country's representative Michela Pace at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv. She was due to represent the country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Montaigne | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Efendi | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Hooverphonic | They were due to represent their home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Victoria | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Benny Cristo | He was due to represent his home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Tornike Kipiani | He was due to represent his home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Eden Alene | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Samanta Tīna | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Jeangu Macrooy | He was due to represent his home country the previous year on home soil in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Roxen | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Ana Soklič | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Blas Cantó | He was due to represent his home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Gjon's Tears | He was due to represent his home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Go A | They were due to represent their home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Natalia Gordienko | She represented her home country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens alongside Arsenium and Connect-R with the song "Loca", finishing in 20th place with 22 points. She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Daði & Gagnamagnið | They were due to represent their home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Hurricane | They were due to represent their home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Band member Vučić previously represented the country as the lead vocalist for the crossover band Sanja Vučić ZAA at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, finishing in 18th place in the final while Knežević provided backing vocals for her father Knez when he represented his home country at the the previous year in Vienna. |
| Lesley Roy | She was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Vasil | Appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kiev as a backing vocalist for the country's representative Tamara Todevska. He was due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| The Roop | They were due to represent her home country the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| James Newman | He was due to represent his home nation the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Uku Suviste | He was due to represent his home nation the previous year in Rotterdam before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
Following the cancellation of the 2020 contest, the Contest's reference group announced they were exploring the option of letting the songs selected for the 2020 Contest compete the following year instead: However, EBU rules state that this is not possible
Semi-final 1[]
Sixteen countries participated in the first semi-final. Those countries plus 
Germany, 
Italy and 
The Netherlands voted in this semi-final. The qualifiers are highlighted below:
| Draw | Country | Performer(s) | Song | Language | Translation | Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  Lithuania
|
The Roop | "Discoteque" | English | - | 4 | 203 |
| 02 |  Slovenia
|
Ana Soklič | "Amen" | English | - | 13 | 44 |
| 03 |  Russia
|
Manizha | "Russian Woman" | Russian, English | - | 3 | 225 |
| 04 |  Sweden
|
Tusse | "Voices" | English | - | 7 | 142 |
| 05 |  Australia
|
Montaigne | "Technicolour" | English | - | 14 | 28 |
| 06 |  North Macedonia
|
Vasil | "Here I Stand" | English | - | 15 | 23 |
| 07 |  Ireland
|
Lesley Roy | "Maps" | English | - | 16 | 20 |
| 08 |  Cyprus
|
Elena Tsagrinou | "El diablo" | English | The devil | 6 | 170 |
| 09 |  Norway
|
Tix | "Fallen Angel" | English | - | 10 | 115 |
| 10 |  Croatia
|
Albina | "Tick-Tock" | English, Croatian | - | 11 | 110 |
| 11 |  Belgium
|
Hooverphonic | "The Wrong Place" | English | - | 9 | 117 |
| 12 |  Israel
|
Eden Alene | "Set Me Free" | English | - | 5 | 192 |
| 13 |  Romania
|
Roxen | "Amnesia" | English | - | 12 | 85 |
| 14 |  Azerbaijan
|
Efendi | "Mata Hari" | English | Sun | 8 | 138 |
| 15 |  Ukraine
|
Go_A | "Shum" | Ukrainian | Noise | 2 | 267 |
| 16 |  Malta
|
Destiny | "Je me casse" | English | I break | 1 | 325 |
Semi-final 2[]
Seventeen countries participated in the second semi-final. Those countries plus 
France, 
Spain and the 
United Kingdom voted in this semi-final. The qualifiers are highlighted below:
| Draw | Country | Performer(s) | Song | Language | Translation | Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  San Marino
|
Senhit | "Adrenalina" | English | - | 9 | 118 |
| 02 |  Estonia
|
Uku Suviste | "The Lucky One" | English | - | 13 | 58 |
| 03 |  Czech Republic
|
Benny Cristo | "Omaga" | English | - | 15 | 23 |
| 04 |  Greece
|
Stefania | "Last Dance" | English | - | 6 | 184 |
| 05 |  Austria
|
Vincent Bueno | "Amen" | English | - | 12 | 66 |
| 06 |  Poland
|
Rafał | "The Ride" | English | - | 14 | 35 |
| 07 |  Moldova
|
Natalia Gordienko | "Sugar" | English | - | 7 | 179 |
| 08 |  Iceland
|
"Daði & Gagnamagnið" | "10 Years" | English | - | 2 | 288 |
| 09 |  Serbia
|
Hurricane | "Loco Loco" | Serbian | Crazy Crazy | 8 | 124 |
| 10 |  Georgia
|
Tornike Kipiani | "You" | English | - | 16 | 16 |
| 11 |  Albania
|
Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" | Albanian | - | 10 | 112 |
| 12 |  Portugal
|
The Black Mamba | "Love Is on My Side" | English | - | 4 | 239 |
| 13 |  Bulgaria
|
Victoria | "Growing Up is Getting Old" | English | - | 3 | 250 |
| 14 |  Finland
|
Blind Channel | "Dark Side" | English | - | 5 | 234 |
| 15 |  Latvia
|
Samanta Tīna | "The Moon Is Rising" | English | - | 17 | 14 |
| 16 |  Switzerland
|
Gjon's Tears | "Tout l'Univers" | French | The whole universe | 1 | 291 |
| 17 |  Denmark
|
Fyr & Flamme | "Øve os på hinanden" | Danish | Practice on each other | 11 | 89 |
Final[]
Twenty-six countries participated in the final, with all thirty-nine participating countries eligible to vote.
| Draw | Country | Performer(s) | Song | Language | Translation | Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Cyprus
|
Elena Tsagrinou | "El diablo" | English | - | 16 | 94 |
| 02 | Albania
|
Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" | Albanian | - | 21 | 57 |
| 03 | Israel
|
Eden Alene | "Set Me Free" | English | - | 17 | 93 |
| 04 | Belgium
|
Hooverphonic | "The Wrong Place" | English | - | 19 | 74 |
| 05 | Russia
|
Manizha | "Russian Woman" | Russian, English | - | 9 | 204 |
| 06 | Malta
|
Destiny | "Je me casse" | English | I break | 7 | 255 |
| 07 | Portugal
|
The Black Mamba | "Love Is on My Side" | English | - | 12 | 153 |
| 08 | Serbia
|
Hurricane | "Loco Loco" | Serbian | Crazy Crazy | 15 | 102 |
| 09 | United Kingdom
|
James Newman | "Embers" | English | - | 26 | 0 |
| 10 | Greece
|
Stefania | "Last Dance" | English | - | 10 | 170 |
| 11 | Switzerland
|
Gjon's Tears | "Tout l'Univers" | French | The whole universe | 3 | 432 |
| 12 | Iceland
|
Daði & Gagnamagnið | "10 Years" | English | - | 4 | 378 |
| 13 | Spain
|
Blas Cantó | "Voy a quedarme" | Spanish | I will stay | 24 | 6 |
| 14 | Moldova
|
Natalia Gordienko | "Sugar" | English | - | 13 | 115 |
| 15 | Germany
|
Jendrik | "I Don't Feel Hate" | English | - | 25 | 3 |
| 16 | Finland
|
Blind Channel | "Dark Side" | English | - | 6 | 301 |
| 17 | Bulgaria
|
Victoria | "Growing Up is Getting Old" | English | - | 11 | 170 |
| 18 | Lithuania
|
The Roop | "Discoteque" | English | - | 8 | 220 |
| 19 | Ukraine
|
Go_A | "Shum" | Ukrainian | Noise | 5 | 364 |
| 20 | France
|
Barbara Pravi | "Voilà" | French | - | 2 | 499 |
| 21 | Azerbaijan
|
Efendi | "Mata Hari" | English | Sun | 20 | 65 |
| 22 | Norway
|
Tix | "Fallen Angel" | English | - | 18 | 75 |
| 23 | The Netherlands
|
Jeangu Macrooy | "Birth of a New Age" | English, Sranan Tongo | - | 23 | 11 |
| 24 | Italy
|
Måneskin | "Zitti e buoni" | Italian | Shut up and behave | 1 | 524 |
| 25 | Sweden
|
Tusse | "Voices" | English | - | 14 | 109 |
| 26 | San Marino
|
Senhit | "Adrenalina" | English | - | 22 | 50 |
Scoreboard[]
