Eurovision 2020: Utrecht plans to host the contest in a tent

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 1,789 views

Last Wednesday the five potential Eurovision 2020 host cities submitted their respective bid books to the 2020 ESC organizing body. All but one city, sent a strong delegation to Hilversum in order to officially present their proposals. Utrecht delivered its bid via a courier, but where is the city aiming to host the competition if it wins the bid?

Utrecht ( Photo credit: NPO)

According to RTL Boulevard Utrecht is planning to host the competition in a massive tent. The city does not have the budget to host the event as its councilors are not in favour of funding the event.

Jaarbeurs has shared a video on its official Facebook page stating that that Utrecht aims to host Eurovision in a tent.

Jaarbeurs (the initially proposed venue) does not meet the conditions to host the event, the roof of the venue is too low, thus Utrecht wants to host the competition in a large tent and use Jaarbeurs for housing the Press Centre, dressing rooms, Delegation Bubble and other side events.

The tent would house 10,000 spectators and it would be a cheaper and cost efficient way for the city to host the event. We must not forget that Utrecht’s Eurovision bid lacks the support of the City Council who are reluctant to make a financial contribution.

Jaarbeurs has shared some photographs on its official Facebook page showcasing the tent where Utrecht aims to host Eurovision.

Utrecht has worked closely with Jaarbeurs in order to prepare its bid and expects other partners to contribute if it gets to host the event. The city believes that it can host the competition in a unique way that will be much more cost efficient than the current estimated amount.

Utrecht also expects NPO to make a large contribution from the revenues it will collect from ticket sales.

City Councilor for Utrecht Mr. Klaas Verschuure  thinks that the city can meet all the requirements to host the contest:

We are sufficiently accessible, we have enough hotels and have a lot of experience with major events.

The City of Utrecht would like to host the competition with a sustainable, social and innovative approach, it aims to use electric buses in order to transport the delegations, artists, media and fans in the city.

All in all the EBU has never hosted the contest inside in a tent, the competition has always been held in a proper arena, stadium or venue. How feasible Utrecht’s Eurovision bid is we will know in in due course.

Reportedly the 2020 Eurovision Organizing body (NPO, NOS, AVROTROS) will assess all five proposals and shortlist the bids that meet the conditions by late July, hereafter the Dutch broadcasters will pay a visit to the shortlisted cities in order to check out the premises, venues and infrastructure in early August. The 2020 Eurovision Host City is expected to be officially announced by mid August.

Utrecht is bidding to host the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest along with Maastricht, Rotterdam, Den Bosch and Arnhem.