Eurovision 2020: The uncertainties facing some of the candidate cities

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 2,507 views

The Netherlands is in full steam preparing for the forthcoming  2020 Eurovision Song Contest. The country is all set to welcome the Eurovision Song Contest for the fifth time in Eurovision history. A total of nine cities have initially applied to host the song contest next year, on Wednesday NPO sent out the criteria bid book to the applicant cities. Now the candidate cities have four weeks to study the requirements and prepare their respective proposals. Will all the nine cities make it to the next cut? There seem to be some uncertainties facing some of the candidates…

Rotterdam is one of the frontrunners to host Eurovision 2020

Candidate cities must meet a series of conditions and requirements set by the EBU in order to host the event, including:

  • Venue that can house circa 10,000 spectators
  • Press Centre to house circa 1,500 spectators
  • Delegation Bubble venue
  • Eurovision Village location
  • Red Carpet/ Opening Ceremony location
  • Public Transport
  • Shuttle Bus Service for Delegations/Presss
  • Hotel Rooms/ Accomodation
  • Financial contribution
  • Security and Safety Plan
  • Main ESC venue should be available for at least 6-8 weeks
  • International Airport in close proximity and international flights
  • Infrastructure/logistics to host the event

Some of the the potential host cities are optimistic about meeting all the conditions and requirements, whilst other candidates still have to deal with a number of uncertainties.

Public broadcaster NOS has looked into the matter further and shed more light on the ongoing 2020 Eurovision host city bidding process:

Arnhem and The Hague

Gelredome in Arnhem

Arnhem believes it has a good location with the GelreDome.

Spokesperson of the Municipality of Arnhem says:

We are going full steam ahead, but what we still have to figure out is whether it is possible in the GelreDome because of `the football.

They have the same question in The Hague, where the ADO Den Haag Stadium is an option. A lot should happen to that stadium anyway, because the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) prescribes that the song festival location should have a roof and the stadium in The Hague does not.

Cars Jeans Stadium (Ado Stadium) at the The Hague

Amsterdam

Ziggo Dome (Amsterdam)

Amsterdam has several locations that qualify, such as the Ziggo Dome, the RAI Amsterdam , and the Johan Cruijff Arena (with roof).

Mr.Simon Brester (Muncipality of Amsterdam) says:

We are in contact, but about the locations and choices, it has not yet been decided.

Both the RAI and the Ziggo Dome announced that they would like to have the ‘dearly loved’ event.

Now that the package of requirements has been sent, it is quite possible that some cities will withdraw after all, according to the NPO.

The Nine Candidates for Eurovision 2020

A total of nine cities have initially applied to host the event and received the package of conditions and requirents:

  • Amsterdam (Ziggo Dome, RAI, Johan Cruijff Arena)
  • Arnhem (Gelredome)
  • Breda (Breepark)
  • Den Bosch (Brabanthallen)
  • The Hague (ADO Stadium)
  • Leeuwarden (WTC)
  • Maastricht (MECC)
  • Rotterdam (Ahoy)
  • Utrecht (Jaarbeurs)

Other interested cities and regions can still apply until 10 July 2019.

Financial contribution, security, transport

All bid books must be submitted no later than 10 July 2019. That bid is then binding. Everything in it must also be (financially) true for a municipality. That means that in the coming period, city councils will also be expressing their views on the plans that each municipality has.

The host city will have to make a contribution to the organization. This can be both a financial contribution and a contribution in terms of security or public transport.

The NPO, AVROTROS and NOS strive, in consultation with the EBU, to announce in August which city will receive the coveted Douze points, and thus host the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest!