Rotterdam opts for a corona proof Eurovision contest

The organisations are getting ready to physically host international delegations and guests in May

The Eurovision song contest will be taking place in Rotterdam in May this year – this is what the organisers officially announced yesterday. The announcement comes after an almost one-year-long process of preparations and discussion of different possible scenarios, since the cancellation of the event due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

This way, the corona-proof finals and semi-finals will take place in Ahoy Arena on 18, 20 and 22 May 2021.

Rotterdam will open up again, thanks to Eurovision

After careful consideration of the unfolding of the coronavirus pandemic and comparisons between four creative scenarios, the organisers of Eurovision 2021 have finally made their selection and it certainly going to please the fans of the contest, one of the most awaited music events worldwide. The event will finally be taking place in person, in the Rotterdam Ahoy arena, welcoming all 41 artists on Dutch soil.

The city of Rotterdam is looking with positivity at the expected favourable conditions in May and the opportunity to hold a close-to-normal edition of Eurovision, albeit with strict observance of social distancing and the remaining sanitary restrictions.

The possibility to host an audience and international delegations will be a real boost to the local economy and international prestige of the second-largest Dutch city, as the final of the song contest usually attracts around 180-200 million viewers. The safe number of spectators to be accepted is however still to be determined.

“The song contest in Rotterdam, live from Ahoy, is a ray of light we can all look forward to together. We, as the host city, are all incredibly optimistic, enthusiastic and realistic. We are going to do everything in our power to turn this into a truly amazing event, naturally within the realm of possibility!

Let’s hope this song contest, which will definitely be somewhat different to its 64 predecessors, will offer some fantastic opportunities for the city’s partners and entrepreneurs. But regardless: Rotterdam will open up again!”, councillor Said Kasmi was quoted saying on the official website of Eurovision 2021.

On top of the semi-finals and final shows from Rotterdam Ahoy, the authorities are preparing an extensive side programme with activities happening throughout the city. Among them, a fan zone (Eurovision Village) and a place for after-parties (EuroClub) or their alternatives are under consideration.