Rotterdam to host Eurovision 2020 – Final on 16 May

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Dutch broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have just announced that Rotterdam will host Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The arena will be Rotterdam Ahoy Arena. Maastricht was also in the race for host city 2020.

The confirmed dates for Eurovision Song Contest 2020 are:

• Semi-final 1: 12 May 2020
• Semi-final 2: 14 May 2020
• Grand Final: 16 May 2020

The decision was made by a selection committee consisting of representatives from the three Dutch broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS in collaboration with technical experts and the European Broadcasting Union, EBU. Rotterdam has been approved by the Eurovision Reference Group (governing body for the Eurovision Song Contest).

EBU’s Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand, says:

– Rotterdam has shown fantastic enthusiasm and commitment and has the right facilities to welcome delegations from over 40 countries next May. We look forward to working with Rotterdam and NPO, NOS and AVROTROS on an incredible state-of-the-art Eurovision Song Contest in a great city next year.

Director General of NPO, Shula Rijxman, says:

– It is our wish to organize a Eurovision Song Contest that is embraced throughout the Netherlands and also functions as a showcase for our country in Europe. We are happy that as a public broadcaster we can now really work together with Rotterdam and the Ahoy arena to organize a unique event that connects and inspires all inhabitants of the Netherlands and Europe.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands with 630,000 inhabitants, placed in short distance from Den Haag and Amsterdam.

Vice-mayor of Rotterdam, Said Kasmi (education, culture and tourism), says:

– Rotterdam is the most international city in the Netherlands and a beautiful location for the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. An experienced city hosting top events, but even more important: everyone here is ready to turn the Eurovision Song Contest into a great party where everybody is welcome.

In Rotterdam's bid books, the organisation revealed that they are ready to invest approximately 15 million euros into the show's production. The amount was approved in an official reunion and there was even a suggestion to develop a crowdfunding activity to guarantee the cover of the remaining costs of hosting such an event.

Rotterdam Ahoy Arena

Rotterdam Ahoy consists of three halls with the largest being with a capacity of 15,000, which meets all the conditions set by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Two smaller halls in the complex have a capacity of 6,000 and 4,000, Perfect for delegations and press centre.

Director of Rotterdam Ahoy, Jolanda Jansen, says:

– In our almost fifty years of existence, Rotterdam Ahoy hosted many wonderful, international events. We are convinced that Ahoy and the Eurovision Song Contest are a perfect fit.

Rotterdam Ahoy hosted Junior Eurovision 2007.

Bidding Race

In the first half of June, all the Dutch cities that were interested in hosting Eurovision 2019 received the criteria that are needed for hosting Eurovision 2020. Initially nine cities had interest in hosting the contest, and had four weeks to compile their "bid books".

Five of the nine cities submitted their "bid books" to the broadcasters in the beginning of July 2019:

• Arnhem
• Den Bosch (‘s-Hertogenbosch)
• Maastricht
• Rotterdam
• Utrecht

In mid-July the selection committee narrowed the race down to just two cities: Maastricht and Rotterdam, who had the strongest bids. The selection committee then visited the two cities, and decided that Rotterdam was best suited for hosting Eurovision Song Contest 2020.

Some of the requirements for a Eurovision host city are of course the facilities to organize the three Eurovision live shows in an arena suitable for one of the most complex TV shows worldwide. But also side events like Eurovision Village, EuroClub and Opening Ceremony counts, just as accommodation facilities and infrastructure have to be satisfying.