Eurovision Song Contest 2020 — cancelled 2020 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest was the first and only edition in the contest's 65-year history to be cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Facts
- Planned edition number
- 65th
- Cancellation date
- 18 March 2020
- Planned venue
- Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam
- Participating countries
- 41 countries
- Planned final date
- 16 May 2020
- Replacement show
- Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The COVID-19 pandemic, which spread rapidly across Europe in early 2020, made it impossible to safely stage a large international live event. On 18 March 2020, the EBU formally announced the cancellation, citing public health concerns that prevented gathering the participating delegations, crew, and audiences required for the contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020, planned for Rotterdam Ahoy on 12, 14, and 16 May 2020 with 41 competing countries, was cancelled — becoming the first and only edition in the contest's history to be called off. All songs and artists had already been confirmed by participating broadcasters before the cancellation was announced.
In place of the cancelled contest, the EBU and Dutch broadcasters produced the non-competitive show Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light on 16 May 2020 to showcase the selected entries. The Netherlands retained hosting rights for 2021 at the same Rotterdam venue, though the 2020 songs were declared ineligible for the 2021 contest.