Rotterdam hosts the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020

“The choice of Rotterdam as host city for the Eurovision Song Festival is a choice for a city with a remarkable story and an unmistakable drive,” stated Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer of ESF 2020. “In the same way we have chosen for Ahoy, which is, as far as we are concerned, the most suitable location to produce three state-of-the-art television programs for more than 180 million viewers.”

Rotterdam is a young, dynamic, cosmopolitan city that keeps reinventing itself at a rapid pace. Enterprise and experimentation are in its DNA. Rotterdam is somewhat of an anomaly in the Netherlands, a distinctive city with an urban vibe and a dazzling mix of innovative architecture. It is also home to lively festivals and a vibrant art and culture scene, making it a perfect location for the Eurovision Song Contest.

At a press conference held earlier today in Inntel Hotels Rotterdam, Sietse Bakker, Executive Events Producer for ESF 2020 and Shula Rijxman, Chairperson of the NPO’s Executive Board presented a ‘Eurovision Song Contest tile’ to Said Kasmi, alderman for Education, Culture and Tourism, and Jolanda Jansen, Director of Ahoy. This symbolic gesture officially confirmed the collaboration between the city and the project organisation. The tile will be displayed permanently in Ahoy’s entrance hall.

“It was uncertain right up until the last moment, but this is fantastic news for Rotterdam. Our bid convinced the organisation that Rotterdam can do this and that we are ready. We are looking forward to showing Rotterdam to all Song Contest fans: it’s a diverse city of innovation and creativity and Ahoy is a magnificent event location. In the months ahead we are going to pull out all the stops to create a fantastic event together with our partners. It will be a party involving everyone, for everyone. The Netherlands is the host country and Rotterdam is the stage”, said alderman Kasmi.

A party involving everyone, for everyone

A range of initiatives have already been taken to make the Eurovision Song Contest a party involving everyone, for everyone. Club evenings, concerts, exhibitions and sing-a-long festivals will be organised all over the city. For example in the Maassilo, the former grain silo where Duncan Laurence recorded his winning number Arcade. A freely accessible Eurovision Village will be set up at an appealing, central location. The festival grounds will have stages for performers from the Eurovision Song Contest as well as new talent and established names from Rotterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Furthermore, there will be tickets available for citizens with less income. This way the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 will be accessible for a large audience.

TV shows

The Eurovision Song Contest’s major TV shows will be held in Ahoy, one of the most versatile events locations in the Netherlands. In addition to the two semi-finals and main finale, fans will also have the opportunity to attend rehearsal shows. Eurovision is not only a magnet for fans, but also for the Dutch and international press. Jolanda Jansen, Director of Ahoy: “It is wonderful news that the Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Rotterdam and that we can host this fantastic event! Ahoy was built for live entertainment and I am convinced that we will host a spectacular memorable event that will make the region, province and the entire country proud.”

Public version of the bid book

If you would like to know how Rotterdam won the bid for the Eurovision Song Contest, a public version of the bid book is available from today at: https://www.rotterdam.nl/english/esc/Bidbook-ESC-2020.pdf

Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam

The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest is a collaboration between the project organisation, consisting of NPO / AVROTROS / NOS and EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and Rotterdam city council, working together with a range of partners, including Rotterdam Partners, Rotterdam Festivals, Ahoy, affiliated partners to Rotterdam Make it Happen and the province of Zuid-Holland.

For more information, please contact Ingrid Adriaanse (spokesperson ESC2020): +31(0)6 – 45 81 08 95 or i.adriaanse@rotterdam.nl.