Right, so we’re all totally over the news from last week, right? OK, maybe not all of us and maybe not totally. But life goes on – hopefully – and Eurovision is already looking towards next year with the hopes that there might be a 65th Contest next May. And hopes it will be in Rotterdam at the Ahoy.
The EBU confirmed at the end of last week that the 2020 songs would not be eligible for the 65th Contest. It’s now up to the broadcasters to decide who represents them.
Many have already decided to stick with their 2020 performers. Others will approach the next Contest with fresh eyes. Swedish SVT, for example, relies on huge ratings for Melodifestivalen, meaning The Mamas might never get their time on a Eurovision stage in their own right (they already performed as a supporting act).
Here’s how things stand right now:
Albania: Festivali i Këngës is to take place as normal. Arilena Ara not yet promised a place in line-up.
Armenia: TBC
Australia: SBS has confirmed Montaigne’s place as Australia’s representative next year.
Austria: Vincent Bueno has accepted ORF’s invite
Azerbaijan: Efendi confirmed through Instagram that she’ll be back next time.
Belarus: VAL have made it clear they’d like to take part next time around.
Belgium: Hooverphonic has accepted an invite from VRT for the next Contest.
Bulgaria: Victoria has been confirmed for next time with BNT back on board, after an early wobble.
Croatia: Damir Kedzo is likely to retain the Eurovision job for another year.
Cyprus: TBC
Czech Republic: Benny Cristo has been confirmed for the next contest.
Denmark: Ben and Tan have said they respect DR’s decision to stage a new edition of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix next year.
Estonia: Eesti Laul going ahead as usual next year, though Uku Suviste offered a shoe-in to the semi-finals.
Finland: Multi-artist 2021 UMK confirmed by YLE. No guaranteed free pass to Aksel.
France: TBC
Georgia: Tornike Kipiani is safely in his job for another year.
Germany: NDR isn’t happy about not being allowed to keep their 2020 entry, but has yet to decide whether Ben Dolic gets a second throw of their Eurovision dice.
Greece: Stefania will remain as the Greek entrant for the next Contest.
Iceland: Söngvakeppnin likely to take place in 2021, and Daði has ruled out entering as a performer should that be the case. He’d be happy if invited directly, but that seems unlikely.
Ireland: Lesley Roy posted online that she’d be up for it next time around.
Israel: Eden Alene has been confirmed by KAN for 2021 (or whenever we next meet)
Italy: Sanremo will go ahead as normal next year. No news about how Rai will pick a Eurovision song as yet.
Latvia: Samanta Tina let it be known she’d be behind a 2021 song if offered the job, and her wish was duly granted. She’s expected to offer a selection of songs for a single artist ‘national final’ next year.
Lithuania: The Roop have been offered a place in the grand final of LRTV’s 2021 national selection Pabandom iš naujo.
Malta: Destiny will retain the Maltese Eurovision crown, returning with a new song for the next Contest.
Moldova: TBC
Netherlands: Jeangu Macrooy will represent the Dutch at the 65th Contest.
North Macedonia: TBC
Norway: MGP going ahead as usual next year. Ulrikke declined NRK’s offer of a guaranteed place in the final, saying she won’t enter in 2021 – though doesn’t rule out another song in the future.
Poland: Alicja Szemplińska has stated she’d be up for another pop at Eurovision if TVP come knocking.
Portugal: Elisa has revealed through social media that RTP has not automatically offered her the 2021 job. Current rules wouldn’t let winner of the previous edition of Festival da Canção enter the following one.
Romania: TVR has confirmed they’re sticking with Global Records signing Roxen.
Russia: We’ll probably find out in March 2021
San Marino: Still whinging about how the EBU/the Dutch/anyone was wrong to cancel the contest. It’s not a good look. Either way, Senhit will do the honours again.
Serbia: Hurricane would be keen, if RTS agrees.
Slovenia: Ana Soclic has been confirmed for 2021, hopefully with less of a dirge.
Spain: Blas Canto has accepted the RTVE invite for the next Contest.
Sweden: Melodifestivalen going ahead as usual next year. The Mamas have not been offered any kind of free pass.
Switzerland: Gjon’s Tears has the Swiss job in the bag.
Ukraine: Go_A is confirmed for the next Eurovision Song Contest.
United Kingdom: BMG holds all the cards and will announce plans in due course. James Newman has made it known he’d be up for it.
We’ll update this page for a while longer as news becomes confirmed, so do check back.