Edition 76

The seventy-sixth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place in Lausanne, Switzerland following Luca Hänni's victory at the seventy-fifth edition in Incheon, South Korea with the song "POWDER". It was the fourth win for Switzerland and the first time that the city hosted the competition. Organised by the head of delegation and host broadcaster, the contest was held at the Vaudoise Aréna, and consisted of two semi-finals which were both launched on the 25 January 2021 and a grand final which took place from the 01 February 2021. The three shows were hosted by singer Stefanie Heinzmann, comedian Hazel Brugger and actor Daniel Bernhardt.

Fifty-seven countries participated in this edition of the contest. Unfortunately, nine countries withdrew from this edition of the competition: Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kosovo, Malta, Mongolia and Zimbabwe. However, we did see six countries return to participate for the seventy-sixth edition. Andorra and Cyprus both returned after having one edition away from the competition. Belgium returned after a three edition break from the contest. Poland and Portugal both returned after quite long absences - eleven and eight respectively. Most significantly, Algeria returned to the competition for the first time since the forty-seventh edition - being absent for twenty-eight editions.

The power six for this edition were Switzerland, Australia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Scotland and Mexico - these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition. Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner

## Other Participants

* Azerbaijan
* Bosnia & Herzegovina
* Croatia
* Georgia
* Kosovo
* Malta
* Mongolia
* Zimbabwe

## Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 23 January 2021. The fifty-one semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results. Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification. Finland and Ireland were not included in the pots because the head of delegation for these countries are on the admin team and are in charge of the second and first semi-final respectively; as a result, Finland were automatically assigned to semi-final one and Ireland was automatically assigned to semi-final two.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations Switzerland, Australia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Scotland and Mexico were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Spain, Scotland and Mexico were assigned to vote in the first semi-final and Switzerland, Australia and the Czech Republic were assigned to vote in the second semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Spain,  Scotland and  Mexico from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Finland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Finland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Semi Final Two

 Switzerland,  Australia and  the Czech Republic from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Ireland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Ireland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Grand Final

Thirty countries participated in the final of this edition of the **Global Music Festival** - the power six and the twenty-four qualifiers from the two semi-finals. All participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty finalists were obligated to vote! The votes of the non-qualifiers and non-participants were all combined in to the televote. However, only thirty non-qualifiers and non-participants could vote.