Finnish broadcaster YLE has confirmed that the national final selection UMK will be returning for Eurovision 2021. The final will take place on February 20th.
The show is set to take place in the Mediapolis Studios in Tampere for the second year in a row, but whether there will be an audience or not will depend on what restrictions are in place at the time. The broadcaster hopes that an audience will be present, but they are ready for Plan B regardless.
The submission period for UMK has now opened, and will remain open until September 7th. The rules state that each singer can submit up to three songs, however composers, lyricists and songwriters are able to submit an unlimited amount of songs. At least one songwriter or the singer must have Finnish citizenship, or are a permanent resident.
The songs submitted will be reviewed by an expert jury of music professionals, and from there, the finalists will be selected and revealed in January.
Aksel Kankaanranta was set to represent Finland at Eurovision this year, however Eurovision was cancelled due to COVID-19. Should he want to compete at Eurovision 2021, he will have to apply for the national selection once again.
Listen to his 2020 entry below: