Eurovision in Concert — the longest-running Eurovision preview event — is celebrating its tenth anniversary on 14 April. So organisers are thinking big and will stage the annual concert inside Amsterdam’s AFAS Live rather than their traditional venue — the smaller (but perfectly formed) Melkweg. Tickets go on sale 29 September on Ticketmaster Netherlands. 

The news comes hot off the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Edsilia Rombley — Eurovision 1998 and 2007 singer — would be hosting the event, accompanied by Dutch Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas. The two hosted the event together once before in 2015.

Billed in the official promo video as “a special XL edition”, Eurovision in Concert moves to the more spacious AFAS Live. It might ring some bells with you as the host venue for Junior Eurovision 2012. At that time it was known as the Heineken Music Hall.

By moving away from the Melkweg, the concert parts ways with the picturesque Amsterdam city centre and to the southwestern edge of the city. The venue is part of a cluster of entertainment venues, resting near Johan Cruijf Arena — the country’s biggest football stadium — and the major pop arena Ziggo Dome. You may not be able to snap your fancy canal photos at night, but you will enjoy ease of transport, as the Bijlmer-Arena train station is directly next to the venue.

The new venue can accommodate a much larger crowd. AFAS Live can hold up to 6,000 people to the Melkweg’s 1,000. Talk about expansion!

Tickets will go on sale significantly earlier than in recent years. Tickets have traditionally gone on sale just after Christmas, but this year ticket sales begin on 29 September.

Eurovision in Concert is known as the mother of all Eurovision pre-party events. Last year acts from 33 countries took to the stage at the Melkweg and we hope that there will be even more for this year’s milestone event.

Are you going to Eurovision in Concert 2018? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more Eurovision in Concert news

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Frisian ESC (jr)
Frisian ESC (jr)
6 years ago

I want to go but none of my friends like esc and i live completely on the other side of the country :/

Hiccup
Hiccup
6 years ago

Erm… Isn’t the London one the longest running? It’s 10th anniversary was last year…

Daan
Daan
6 years ago

Also.. Every fricking year I am behind William in the que. No joke. 2014, 2015, 2017. Perhaps I should say Hi next time. Haha

Daan
Daan
6 years ago

Hyped! Going to get my buddies to tag along this time. Tried to book for four friends last year but only got tickets for me and my boyfriend, by the time I asked them, which was like minutes after I booked the first pair, it was sold out already.
Heineken Music Hall is a great venue, been there for Amsterdam Dance Event before.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Finally, a bigger venue! 😀

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago

The London version needs to be at a bigger venue. I went in 2014 and it was great, though to me it felt cramped and unsafe.

Nancy G
Nancy G
6 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

100% agree with you Fatima. I went in 2017 and you couldn’t move. If there was a fire or explosion many would be hurt. London has many bigger venues.