Though the race took place mostly in Troms county, Norway.

[1][2] It was the eighth edition of the Arctic Race of Norway, which was rated as a 2.Pro event on the 2021 UCI Europe Tour and the 2021 UCI ProSeries calendars.

[3] This edition was the race's first in the UCI ProSeries; the 2020 edition was expected to feature in the inaugural UCI ProSeries but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[4] Seven UCI WorldTeams, ten UCI ProTeams, one UCI Continental team, and the Norwegian national team made up the nineteen teams that participated in the race.

[7] UCI WorldTeams UCI ProTeams UCI Continental Teams National Teams The 2021 edition of the race used the same route as the one planned for the cancelled 2020 edition; this route was first revealed on 12 November 2019.