Eurovision 2020 has been cancelled

The bad news just keeps on coming this week! Now it has been announced that Eurovision 2020 has been cancelled.

Due to be held on 16th May in Rotterdam, this year’s event will not go ahead due to the escalating issues caused across the globe by the spread of COVID-19 aka coronavirus.

A statement has been released explaining the decision behind the cancellation:

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam.

Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead. However the uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe – and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities – means the EBU has taken the difficult decision that it is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.

We are very proud that the Eurovision Song Contest has united audiences every year, without interruption, for the past 64 years and we, like the millions of fans around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May.

The EBU, NPO, NOS, AVROTROS and the City of Rotterdam will continue a conversation regarding the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021.

We would ask people to bear with us while we work through the ramifications of this unprecedented decision and patiently await any further news in the coming days and weeks.

We would like to pay tribute to all the host broadcaster team in the Netherlands and our 41 Members who have worked so hard on planning this year’s event.

We are all as heartbroken as they are that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to be staged in May and know that the whole Eurovision family, across the world, will continue to provide love and support for each other at this difficult time.

We’re gutted as Eurovision is always a highlight of the annual calendar. The announcement was inevitable but hopefully the performers for this year’s event can still find a platform to showcase their music in some way!