NPO, the Dutch national broadcaster, has shorlisted two cities in the 2020 Eurovision Host City race, thus eleminating three candidate cities from the battle. Who will get to host the competition next year?

NPO has announced today that Maastricht and Rotterdam will battle for the right to host Eurovision 2020 in the Netherlands next year, thus the leaving three cities out of contention: Utrecht, Arnhem and Den Bosch.

• Maastricht (MECC Maastricht)
• Rotterdam ( Rotterdam Ahoy)

Maastricht and Rotterdam have been shorlisted due to the fact that the cities have the strongest proposals meeting all the conditions set by the EBU and organizing body. Both cities have the venues, infrastructure, hotel capacity and logistics to organize the live shows and side events which come a long with Eurovision.

Both finalists have also got an extensive project and plan to house the Euroclub, Eurovision Village, Welcome Reception, Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony.

Both Maastricht and Rotterdam are also offering a hefty financial contribution in order to host the event.

Maastricht’s promo video and slogan ‘ Come Closer’

Rortterdam’s promo video and slogan ‘ Rotterdam for Real’

Mr.Sietse Bakker (Eurovision 2020 Executive Producer) says:

All the cities and venues have put a lot of effort into their bids. We were impressed with all the proposals and would like to thank everyone involved so far for their positive input and commitment. We are convinced Maastricht and Rotterdam offer everything that a Host City requires.

We are hoping the other cities will maintain their enthusiasm for the Song Contest. We’d love to discuss in the coming months how we can involve them in the event next year.

The 2020 Eurovision organizing committee (NPO, NOS,  AVROTROS) will be now visiting the two shortlisted cities in order to inspect and check the potential venues, infrastructure, hotels, side events locacations, logistics, etc.

Initially 9 cities applied to host the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands, but only five cities officially submitted their bids to NPO in Hilversum.

The 2020 Eurovision Host City is expected to be unveiled by mid August.