When COVID19 hit the world, the festival had to change and developed a hybrid version for the years 2020 and 2021 with small local activities and an online award with over 600 participants from 60 nations. In 2022 the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in Klagenfurt, the last edition in an open air park. From 2023 the layout of the festival changed to an indoor festival with a focus on the world championships with less music concerts.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the festival to change its format. In 2020 and 2021, it adopted a hybrid model with local activities and an online award. The 25th anniversary celebration in 2022 took place in Klagenfurt's open-air park. Since 2023, the festival has moved indoors, emphasizing world championships over music concerts.