Back in May, producers of the Eurovision Song Contest promised that the show would go on in 2021 one way or another. And today, at a press conference inside Rotterdam Ahoy, they outlined the various forms that could take.
There are four scenarios which respond to different ways the Covid-19 pandemic could affect holding the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam. It’s clear that the EBU and host broadcasters have taken a lot into consideration and are determined that the show will go on, one way or another.
Scenario A: A normal Eurovision Song Contest
This is the Eurovision we know and love. It will be held at the Rotterdam Ahoy arena and will include the usual nine shows (the three live shows plus rehearsals). The arena will be packed full of fans and delegations. There will be activities galore around Rotterdam, including the Eurovillage and Euroclub.
However, the EBU says that “the feasibility of this scenario largely depends on the roll-out of a possible vaccine for COVID-19 or the availability of reliable testing.”
Scenario B: Socially distant Eurovision Song Contest – at 1.5 meters
This version would also involve the usual nine shows at the Ahoy Arena — but this time with social distancing. The audience at the shows would be required to stay 1.5 metres away from each other at all times.
The EBU acknowledges that this would require a new seating layout which would mean fewer people would be able to fit in the arena and therefore some people will have to give up their tickets. The EBU says, “If that happens, a fair draw will be held to decide who can still attend each show.” They also confirm that full refunds would be given.
Under this scenario, there will also be limits on the size of each delegation and on the number of media that can attend. Activities in Rotterdam may also be reduced.
This scenario also meets the Dutch government’s current restrictions for live events.
Scenario C: A Eurovision Song Contest with travel restrictions
This scenario is for a situation where some delegations would be unable to travel to Rotterdam.
The shows in Rotterdam would be similar to Scenario B, with social distancing and a reduced audience. If any delegations were unable to travel to Rotterdam, they would still be able to compete in the contest. They would perform their song in their own country and that would be incorporated into the show.
The EBU confirms that the distance performances would be pre-recorded while the show in Rotterdam will remain live.
This is reminiscent of the format that Junior Eurovision 2020 is using for all its competing acts.
Scenario D: Eurovision Song Contest in lockdown
This is a worst-case scenario. If the Netherlands ends up in a strict lockdown situation again, there will still be a Eurovision Song Contest. However, this version will not involve a live audience nor activities around Rotterdam.
The EBU describes this scenario as being very like Junior Eurovision 2020. The participating countries will stay home and submit a pre-recorded live performance on their song. These will be incorporated into the show hosted at Ahoy Arena — but with no live audience.
When will a decision be made?
The EBU says that “a definitive choice between scenarios will be made based on the situation in the early months of 2021.”
Dutch host broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTRS have two years preparation time and are determined that a show will happen.
The Eurovision 2021 stage design, the slogan and the logo
At the presentation, Executive Producer Sietse Bakker also confirmed a few details about the look and feel of the contest.
The 2020 stage design will remain. Bakker revealed that the stage has already been built and is waiting to be assembled in storage at Ahoy Arena.
The contest slogan will also remain “Open up”. While the slogan had a certain interpretation in 2020, it has taken on a new meaning as Eurovision opens up after its year off.
Bakker also confirmed that the logo will be given a tweak for 2021. Details of this were not specified, however the 2020 logo was specifically designed around the 41 competing acts of that year and included a visual timeline from 1956 to 2020. With this in mind, it is possible that the new logo won’t be revealed until after the 2021 participating countries have been confirmed.
D is the most realistic scenario.
In almost all countries the situation is getting difficult and we have to afford autumn and winter.
Soooo, these 4 scenarios would have made possible ESC 2020 to happen, this month, for example, but nooooo, you had to cancel it altogether.
Pathetic.
Option E. Everyone tested upon entering. Just rapid tests would do I guess. No social distancing or other ‘the crown’ nonsense..
Everyone would be happy..
Realistically, Scenario C is most likely with Scenario B being optimistic. Feel like Scenario D would only happen if the Dutch authorities went for a full lockdown in May 2021, which would be a worst case scenario… and not just in the Eurovision context
I’m wising for scenario A, but it’s the least likely one of them all. I’m really dreading scenario D.
I feel bad for the Dutch who’ve been waiting so long for their win, and can’t enjoy the full host experience, which is a pretty awesome experience. My heart goes out to them and I hope they’ll get another win soon after covid-19 is behind us, so they can get the chance to host a proper Eurovision. Besides that, I trust them to do a spectacular job in May 2021.
STAY SAFE AND KEEP IT TO C OR D.
I think it would be scenario C but I really hope for B
Obviously, A is just unlikely
Edsilia, Chantal and Jan are back as presenters, NikkieTutorials will return as online host
Let’s face it, there are really only 3 scenarios. Scenario A only happens in feel-good Disney movies – there is virtually zero evidence that this will be any part of our reality in Feb/Mar 2021 (when a decision is made). Personally speaking, I think C is most likely as the virus hits different countries at different times (and different countries take different approaches). I sincerely hope it is not D but I think it is a much more distinct possibility than the poll currently suggests.
A combination of Scenarios B & C for me personally is the most likely and logical choices for instance for countries that have to travel long distances like Russia & Australia will not sing in Rotterdam most likely due to the level of cases and a higher rate of infections (at the time of writing – 18/09/2020) but, will have the opportunity to perform remotely. A reduced capacity audience for the live shows should be a automatic rule and not a part of a potential scenario, this ensures safety for the delegations, newscrews & outlets, contenstants and the fans, with… Read more »
In some way, shape, or form, we’ll see you in Rotterdam! WOO-HOO!!!!
Also, glad to see they’re keeping the intended hosts from 2020!
I’m still a bit curious and uncertain as to what role the press center will play in the four scenarios. Hopefully the Wiwibloggs team will be able to attend the contest in-person. I always enjoy watching the videos of the Wiwibloggs team discussing the rehearsals, results, etc. at the contest and it would be a shame if those can’t happen in 2021.
Realistically speaking I think option B is the most likely at the moment. But hopefully it will change..
I think if C were to be the ultimate choice, the EBU should send cameras to the nations that don’t have the greatest equipment. Example being Moldova. I hope we can have B but I feel C is more realistic
Im sure the jury and real live show performance would be the same in that case since they would be pre recorded.
I’m happy that the ebu and Rotterdam are doing their best that eurovision will take place no matter what, I have high expectations from them. About the plans I’m going to give my opinions about them: A – Ofc the one that I’m mostly hoping about. If eurovision 2021 is going ahead as usual so it will really look as a big celebration on winning corona. I could see this scenario happening if there is a wide vaccination in the Netherlands at least or if there is a very fast rapid coronavirus testing. B – actually I will be happy… Read more »
Nothing will ever be the same after 2020
I never thought I’d say this but…. I miss 2019
But the worst part is…
ITS STILL 2020!!!!!!
I think we all owe 2019 an apology
Edit: if 2019 was personally a good year for you then obviously im not talking about you.
At least they gave us some closure about Eurovision 2021
At least it won’t be cancelled.
Cancel ESC for good, who cares about something irrelevant as this in current times
found the attention-seeking and desperate troll, guys
If you think it so irrelevant, why are you even on the site ? Just leave and never return !
Get a life
Then do us all a favour and get outta here.
Guys, I think we owe 2019 an apology
I hope the world will learn the mistake we’ve made after this.
I like the transparency. We know what the options are and what the timeline looks like. I don’t think that most European countries will have distributed vaccines by May next year, so we’ll probably get a scenario B, possibly C ‘light’, in which only a few counties are unable to attend. To people wondering: they didn’t use option-D last year because they had to make decisions at the peak of the pandemic, with only a few weeks left to the event. Given the context, economically, logistically, and health related reasons, it was simply not possible to execute a plan D… Read more »
Scenario E: Finally inviting Kazakhstan into competition.
How is Kazakhstan related to current coronavirus guidelines?
Don’t know if Kazakhstan would want to debut next year specifically, but they may be fast tracked for a 2021 debut
2022 rather
I think the Plan C is the most likely. In France, we are in (or entering) the second wave, it might be “less” in everything (deaths, hospitalisations, lasting, etc). I could see a third wave in late winter or early spring that would prevent some delegations to come in Rotterdam (such as Australia).
So why didn’t they go through with scenario D this year? Even though I dearly want the whole corona thing to go away, I do hope they end up with scenario D as punishment for canceling all the artists this year.
Logically, financially and for health related reasons, it was not realistic to ask 42 broadcasters to set up everything they needed for plan D to work in literally 2 months during the peak of the pandemic. Don’t you realise how much work it would be to host Eurovision in basically 42 countries?
So you want to punish the artists again because you didn’t get what you wanted this year? Do you think the organizers got what they wanted this year?
Nobody was prepared for this situation, so now it is logical for the 2020 contest to be cancelled.
They were just too stupid to go with scenario D! Other countries, like Germany, did scenario D for them. No issues.
I agree with Vangelis and Juan. Yes, I accept Robyn’s point that the 2020 rules only applied to live shows, but wasn’t that the case also with Junior Eurovision? All around the world, rules have been adjusted this year to take account of the challenging circumstances. I agree also with Hi423, because May would have been too soon. I would have preferred them to postpone until the autumn and then do something along the lines of scenario D. Some countries may have not taken up the opportunity, as with Junior Eurovision. But we’d still have had some sort of contest.
Plan B is the most likely and most reasonable, in my opinion. People crave for the A-level production that Eurovision has, and still want to apply the health instructions (masking and/or distancing).
This will make Junior Eurovision very interesting to watch. We will get a feel for the format of Scenario D.
Junior Eurovision with all selfish youth who know they can’t die of covid UGH
So you were selfish yourself once too when you were young?
These three other scenarios look certainly doable and realistic given the changing circumstances. Hopefully AVRTROS pulls this off come May.
Interesting news!
I’ve just watched the official video, looks like they’ve considered everything. It says they have decided to keep the stage design and the ‘Open Up’ theme. Obviously time will tell, and this year’s JESC will be the perfect chance to experiment these ideas.
I’m thinking B or C will be most likely, and thinking they could do video link ups in the arena, like they did in 2010 (with the families), but on a bigger scale. Bit like what the WWE are doing right now.