Earlier today, the EBU announced that they have made the decision to cancel Eurovision 2020 due to coronavirus precautions. This is the first time that the contest has ever been cancelled in its 64-year history.
Naturally, this unprecedented move leaves a lot of questions about why the decision was made and what happens now.
In a series of Frequently Asked Questions, the EBU have revealed why they took this option over other routes such as postponement or having no audience. There is also info about whether Rotterdam will host the contest next year and if the artists selected for Eurovision 2020 will be given the opportunity to compete again.
You can find their answers to these questions and more below.
Eurovision 2020 cancellation: Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam been cancelled?
“With the escalating spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe – and the restrictions put in place by the governments of participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities – it is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”
Why not postpone the event?
“The current situation across Europe is likely to remain uncertain for the coming months and at this stage we cannot guarantee we would be able to stage an event of this size with this many stakeholders later this year. A Contest later in the year would also reduce the amount of time the winning broadcaster would have to prepare for the following year’s competition.”
Could the contest not have been held without an audience?
“We are carefully following the advice of the relevant authorities to protect the health and wellbeing of all citizens. Dutch restrictions on gatherings of large numbers of people and international travel restrictions mean that holding the event, even without an audience, is impossible at this time.”
Why couldn’t the show have been held remotely?
“It’s in the DNA of the Eurovision Song Contest to bring delegations, artists and fans together in one place and provide an equal platform for all artists to compete together on the same stage and the same opportunity to shine. We felt that under the extreme circumstances we face this year, organizing the Eurovision Song Contest in another way would not be in keeping with our values and the tradition of the event.
The unique format of the Song Contest as an international live event means that it is not possible to identify any realistic alternative. We therefore have no choice other than to cancel the show.”
Will the selected artists be able to perform their songs next year?
“This is to be discussed with the Reference Group and the participating broadcasters and a decision will be communicated later.”
What will happen to my ticket?
“You will be informed about this as soon as possible. Among other things, we will look at whether the buyers will get their money back or whether the tickets will remain valid until next year. As soon as there is more clarity, ticket buyers will receive an email with their various options at the email address from which they purchased their tickets.”
Can I get a refund now?
“At the moment we are looking into the various options. As soon as we have more information, this will be communicated on songfestival.nl.”
What happens to my tickets that I bought on Ticketswap, via AVROTROS, or via the fan club (OGAE)?
“The same applies here as for “regular” ticket buyers. As soon as we have more information, this will be communicated on songfestival.nl and you will receive an email at the email address from which you booked the tickets.”
Do we have a date for next year’s Contest?
“The EBU, NPO, NOS, AVROTROS and the City of Rotterdam are continuing their conversation regarding the potential hosting of the Contest in 2021. It is currently too early to discuss any specifics regarding the event next year.”
For detailed information about the coronavirus/COVID-19 and how to stay healthy, please visit The World Health Organisation web site.
Why can’t we just have two Eurovision act’s in 2021?
Perhaps let’s make a petition or something for a remote / virtual competition that would unite Europe in this time of corona plague.
““It’s in the DNA of the Eurovision Song Contest to bring delegations, artists and fans together in one place and provide an equal platform for all artists to compete together on the same stage and the same opportunity to shine. ” – I would bave been TOTALLY OKAY without delegations and s-hit, just to have the songs competing alone, in whatever format…
woman writes about hysteria?
funny.
I can not go out because of coronavirus 🙁
And moreover, good that you’re out of cave because this virus should kill people like you. Useless, cruel stupid and intollerant. Leave me alone.
Well if the corona continues to spread we won’t have a ESC until 2022 so why have hope for next year?
leave all the same, artists, songs, venue, or do completely opposite, no same artists allowed, new venue, as someone wrote someone from big 5. I would be gutted if same songs wouldn’t be allowed to…
I don’t contest the need for a cancellation but I cannot help but feel that the EBU and its members have been highly unethical in their approach to this situation. As Victoria rightfully said, it is not fair at this point to do anything other than allow artists to participate next year, ideally with the songs they would have submitted this year. Otherwise, we see a lot of hard work getting tossed and promises that don’t need to be broken getting broken. You may think this is a trivial issue and in the grand scheme of things, it is, but… Read more »
Just give the trophy to Montaigne. She would’ve won hands down.
Great one. Nice to see that people still have a sense of humour.
Why, WE the fans do this? Why do we care about the preselection season? Why do we care about the artists, the songs? Why are we interested in hosting, production? Why? BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US, AND BECAUSE IT’S A TRADITION. Whoever takes it from Us, for whatever reason, takes our love, our passion, our interest and OUR MONEY away… I will sue EBU for my own losses and every one who invested any coin for this contest should do the same. It’s just ESC? Yeah. But for some it’s a part of life that now has been put in… Read more »
LOL
People are left with nothing. That’s modern EBU way of treating people.
Right now I can only get a coronavorus, lady.
You don’t know my situation so don’t tell me how to live. I’m devastated.
I KNOW POOR PEOPLE HAVE DIED ETC. I WORK FOR NHS. MAYBE HOLD IT IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR WE CAN START AGAIN AND ALL BE WELL. I STILL THINK WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VOTE BY PHONE
I still believe that it should have been postponed but for now it was the only right thing to do. I am a nurse so I know what I am talking about. To all the eurovision fans out there I would like to say PLEASE follow the instructions of your gouvernements it can save your life as well the life of others. In the mean time take good care of yourself and your family. And above all stay positive! We can and shall beat this. YES WE CAN!!!
BBC WOULD NOT HAVE CANCELLED. IT SHOULD BE DONE IN A STUDIO. ALL THOSE FABULOUS SONGS GONE TO WASTE. MYSELF AND FRIENDS ARE GUTTED
Studio wouldn’t have worked either. You would still have to have large groups of people(crew, production etc) in a studio, which would be breaking the law on mass gatherings in many of the countries, and if some countries are still under curfew like Spain, Italy etc. they may not even be able to travel to the studio.
It’s heartbreaking but it’s the safest decision to make.
I definitely think Rotterdam should host the ESC in 2021…it wouldn’t be fair because they won the right to host and deserve the chance to do so. I think too that ALL artists from ESC 2020 should at least be offered by the host broadcasters to return in 2021 (the rumour mill is speculating SVT is not permitting The Mamas to represent Sweden in 2021 and will go ahead with Melfest). But, every country should have to send a new song, even if all the same artists return. By next May, we will have these songs for well over a… Read more »
People stop complaining please , stop pushing your egos, we are talking about human life , I love ESC and it’s so sad but let’s be patient , we are unstoppable
my idea: two Eurovisions, two weeks in a row (2020 songs and artists on 11-15 May 2021, 2021 songs and artists on 18-22 May 2021), still in Rotterdam Ahoy. the winners from both weeks then move on to a special superfinal on 29 May 2021 to determine the 2022 host. if they are so brave now to cancel Eurovision this year, they must be braver to hold two Eurovisions next year.
Ahhh see I was thinking something similar but didn’t know what to think of who would host out of the two winners. A super final would be fun. Or both countries could do a bidding phase or even dare to host together, like Australia would have to if they won
They said that if the contest was postponed the winning country would not have enough time to prepare, which is fair. But why would the contest return to being every May? I’d say it was postponed till October..could that mean Eurovision would happen every October after. Just another thought
It took a Swedish team three months to organize ESC in 2017 so it can be done in short amount of time.
It’s all a lie, stages are build just one month before the event. You don’t need 1 year to prepare Eurovision. Moscow may 2021 could have been easily made even after Rotterdam december 2020.
Hey eurofans ?? I think that we are the people who should do something and help each countrys artist with signing a petition. There are so many different ways to make events happen in our internet times. They all desirve a chance ??????
Could we have two contests next year possibly? One for the already selected artists and songs one week, and the following week a complete new set of artists and songs. I know that could a) be a strain on the Rotterdam and the Netherlands and b) make it unclear who would host the contest the following year. But it just doesn’t seem right that all the countries have put so much effort into these acts for nothing. They need to be celebrated somehow.
Is Jon Ola still finishing as scheduled, or will he stay on another year?
No, this idiot should go away. He is a virus.
I understand that it was necessary to cancel the contest as we know it. However, they could and should hold a special non-competitive even with all of this year’s artists and songs to lift our spirits.
It’s so extremely unfair that the artists are not allowed to sing the original songs. I feel so heartbroken never seeing a performance of the foreseen songs. Does anybody know if there’s a chance the EBU allows to sing the songs?
Wiwi we really need you now to escape from all sadnes around Corona. Help us to have some kind of an Webb event.
In my opinion, they should let the artists and songs of 2020 stay… Then, the artists could release other options in 2021, and let the fans decide betweeen the two songs (2020 vs 2021). It could be something similar to what SenHit did… The point is, artists like Victoria or The Roop shall not be prived of presenting their propositions, which have received such an amazing response… It would not be fair to prive them of the opportunity of showing their songs to the wider public in other European countries, or maybe of even winning the contest.
The best – and only – decision in these awful circumstances. Looking forward to Eurovision 2021 in its usual brilliant format. We will hopefully all be ready to cheer on our favourite artists and be cheered up by then. Congratulations to the EBU for making this difficult decision in these unprecedented times.
I understand the whole situation, but I would ask you to make a pool where euro fans would vote if they want the same artists and songs in 2021 (I think that majority would keep all of them for the next year ), and then post the proposal to EBU. Could we just freeze this year and “open up” to Rotterdam next year, with the same songs and artists? I think that it would be fair to all artitsts and songs that we already support. Please give them a chance to shine with choosen songs next year, don’t break their… Read more »
I totally agree with not holding the eurovision as planned – there is too much uncertainty, countries in lockdown and the planning involved to have an event like this cant be done. However, why cancel it to 2021? Maybe there is a good reason? But could we not postpone it to August? Hopefully in June, countries will be out of lock down, mass gatherings will be allowed etc surely that would be the ideal situation? – We could re-evaluate the situation in a months time or 2 months time and see if August is do able? If there any valid… Read more »
There is no way of knowing for sure that the virus will be gone in August. Or, September, or October. You said it yourself “hopefully” countries will be out of lock down but there is no way of knowing for sure. Arenas book out months, years in advance.
True however, everything is being canceled… not sure the venue will be booked out! And he’s we don’t know if the virus will be gone/ under control but that’s exactly why it makes sense re-assess the situation in a months time…. I think when there is a will there is a way, I just think they should have set a date to re-schedule and take each week as it comes!
Anyway I’m not hating on the EBU- obviously this is a really tough decision and health is more important
Yes, ESC unites the nations. But let’s unite by keeping each other healthy and staying positive and kind. This is a good way to test how ESC fans can remain united without a year of ESC.
I completely understand the severity of this pandemic and wholeheartedly feel for everyone that’s either been affected directly or indirectly by Covid-19, I, like many others have been affected by this, so please don’t think I have no sympathy or realise the emergence of the situation, BUT, there are always safe alternatives. Sure, it might not appease the 2020 sponsors and the fatcats at the EBU, who now blatantly make it known that it’s all about the money and not the ‘spirit’ of the contest, but to disregard to the artists that put in the time; their senses of achievement;… Read more »
It’s genuinely saddening. There were so many potential winners this year and potentially new countries winning (Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania). Hopefully all the artists will come back with the same songs because it’s only fair.
Why not hold a virtual contest? Where the artist would perform the song in any way they like and record it, and we could vote on those. Voting on music videos wouldn’t be as fun. This way this year’s artists would still get to compete, just in a different way.
They better give countries the option to keep singers and songs. Lithuania, Iceland, Switzerland or Bulgaria will benefit from it. Though some countries may want to host their yearly NF. I do think these countries should give their actual representants (or former depends on how you see it) an invitation to their NF.
I imagine a lot of countries will benefit financially from skipping a year of NFs.
I think that same artists and songs should represent countries next year. They all deserve a chance to do so. And there millions of people who haven’t heard the Eurovision songs yet.
While the artists can be recycled, the songs shouldn’t be. I will have heard the songs so many times by May 2021. They will be tired & no longer exciting. Let’s hear what else these artist have to offer.
Well they can’t be recycled. Eurovision 2021 songs can’t have been released before September 2020.
My country (Estonia) already saying we not gonna send the same song or artist
and gonna have Eesti Laul, like always.
Uku will get a free pass to semi-final though, but he is required to submit a new song.
Can’t say i am disappointed, i didnt like our entry at all.
But what i am dissapointed is, what are other countries gonna do?
I really really loved The Roop this year, would have loved to see them win.
Yeah, It’s really a bummer that Lithuania’s chance to win or reach top five has been taken away this year. I hope they can be allowed to participate again (probably not likely with “on fire’, but hope they’ve got another banger for 2021).
I have a question – WHAT DO WE DO WITH OURSELVES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?!!
I have some bad news buddy, next 14 months*
At least we’ll be in the build up to next year in 12 months! Destiny might have released her song on Spotify by then!
Tru dat … destiny be holding her song hostage lmao …
Well, we know what will top the eurovision crimes poll this year.
I can´t believe some fans are actually getting angry because the EBU made a decision that protects peoples health and safety. I´m sad that Eurovision won´t be happening this year, but the bottom line is we don´t know how long this pandemic will last. Even if they had postponed Eurovision for September or October…what´s to say for certain that the virus will be gone then? If that happens it´s even more money wasted. As far as the option of using satellites and no-audiences go, the travel bans and bans on gatherings in many countries mean that some contestants and teams… Read more »
It’s all fault of your western countries governments that let spread the virus. In Russia very few people infected because we have a great president who took the right decisions before it was too late.
Oh yeah, we totally know how totallitarian regimes care about people, hide the facts and pretend they are ”superior”.
“keeping our values and traditions” Yet you were willing to break those traditions when you offered Julia the chance to perform via satellite in 2017..
Honestly, you broke our hearts. It is going to take time to regain your trust..
Well, Julia was literally banned from entering Ukraine, and the satellite suggestion was offered, but it was rejected by both parties and Russia withdrew anyway.
So? They still offered it. Why they couldnt offer that this year I dont know…
I’m so sad. Still I understand the decision. I was hoping that we could have special remote contest: I thought this could be a wonderful way to lift spirits and bring people together (virtually) for a few nights (that way some of the values of Eurovision could live on this year at a time when we need it the most).
Has anyone heard if there will still be a Eurovision 2020 CD? I hope so.
The CD had to be released! And they should make DVD/Blu-Ray with national finals’ performances and music videos or something
Eurovision was born in an attempt to unite Europe. This is a time when we are forced apart and to close our borders. THIS is when something like Eurovision is most important, to remind us we are fighting together and give us hope but that’s been ripped away from us.
I am saddened not just for us, the fans, but the artists. The respectable thing to do is allow all artists with their chosen songs to go and represent next year.
Today really is a very sad day.
It got canceled for a very good reason. Time to move on.
Don’t be a twat. We understand the reasoning but we’re allowed to be upset.
Do people realize that it has been a financial loss of € 6-7 millions for organizing ESC so far, for the city of Rotterdam, the tv networks NPO NOS AVRO TROS and the Ahoy, now that is has been cancelled. So winning last year has become a loosing game for the Netherlands!
Nah, at least we’ve got Duncan
Hosting you is a losing game!
Shame on, shame on you
I’ma put it, boy
Shame on, shame on you
Are people really this stupid that they can’t understand the reason it got canceled?
It’s alarmisitc people such as yourself spreading fear..
This is the Best decision that could have been made. But I have to admit that all competing songs are/were really big yawn this year, so I will get over it quickly.
New songs for next year please
Alright I have the perfect ideas. The artists of Eurovision 2020 should have the choice. Go to Eurovision 2021 with the same song or different. They should have the choice! This would be really good because for example Iceland, Norway, and Lithuania have great chances to win, they could keep their songs and other countries like, sorry but Slovenia, or Croatia could change if they wanted to, so it’s all fair!
Well yeah! That would make next year’s contest highly competitive
Shame on those who took this decision. May it come back to bite them in the behind. At a time when people around Europe only have pestilence and an economic crash waiting for them, they pull the plug on the only good think we have to expect.
In freaking 2020 they don’t have the means to make a contest through satellite links with all the countries? All that matters to them is the big party and the tourists.
Let’s be honest though, it was the Corona virus who pulled the plug on The Eurovision
I am sorry your limited intelligence doesn’t allow you to understand the reason it got cancelled and why it was important to do so.
shame on your blindfolded mind for not understanding the seriousness of the global situation!! very selfish.
I think a little bit of sadness has reached all of us after the (right and predictable) decision of the EBU. At this complicated time for the world and for Europe, the essence of Eurovision, namely to unite different cultures in a single major musical event, would have been of great support to many. Of course you can not dispute the physical and pragmatic choice to cancel the event, it was the best one to ensure the health of all of us. A thought also goes to those who were working behind the Eurovisive machine, all the delegations and the… Read more »
New songs for next year please .. contestants that wish to return can otherwise countries choose a new act
Is it still fun to wait a year with knowing all songs allready for 2021?
More important than fun, justice will be done for the class of 2020. I personally don’t think we really ‘know’ the songs until we see them on the Eurovision stage.
What about Bulgaria? Seeing as they aren’t only able to compete due to their so sponsor, I wonder if they will will be able to still compete next year and whether they will still get sponsored.
The sponsor should be the EBU itself to such countries, since I highly doubt any of the money going into this years contest will be refunded back to their countries lbr
This is so sad, I cant get over it. As my first contest as a full Eurofan, This is extra disappointing. A lot of people are claiming it was the most responsible option, but I think postponement would have been better. 2020 was shaping up to be a great year and I have no idea what will happen to the artists who have been selected this year. 🙁
hope you will survive this?? Good luck