Back in June Eurovision 2019 winner Duncan Laurence told news channel 1Limburg that he wants Eurovision to take place in Rotterdam. But if a new report from AD.nl is to be believed, then the EBU does not share his point of view.
Citing unnamed sources with connections in Hilversum — the hub of broadcasting in the country — the web site reports that Maastricht is the EBU’s preferred candidate.
It’s true the city has a lot going for it — even if it lacks the momentum with fans of Rotterdam. Maastricht is known for its world-renowned university and stunning medieval architecture. But also for being the site of the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, which led to the creation of the European Union and the euro. This connection is one reason the EBU reportedly wants the song contest to take place there. At a time folks say Europe is ripping at its seams, and with the UK ready to depart the European Union, it would surely send a strong message of togetherness.
On Friday the city’s mayor Annemarie Pennte told AD.nl that “we are the most European city in the Netherlands.” It’s true geographically — the city borders Belgium and isn’t far from Germany — and also culturally, with the three countries sharing a deep history and with their various languages spilling over borders.
Maastricht is very keen to host — as you can tell from the Insta video above.
“It’s a wrap,” the mayor writes. “The bidbook is finished. As far as we are concerned, the Eurovision Song Contest is coming home to Maastricht! Governor Theo Bovens and I cannot wait to present the result of Maastricht and Limburg.”
But the Maastricht train took off well before then. On May 21 it revealed its intent in a press release uploaded to the web site of the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre.
At the time the mayor of Maastricht said:
“It goes without saying that as the most European city in the Netherlands, Maastricht is putting itself forward as a candidate to host the Song Contest. MECC Maastricht has repeatedly demonstrated its abilities as an excellent organiser of major international events. Thanks to its renowned hospitality and location in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion, with Belgium and Germany literally just around the corner, Maastricht is the ideal city to represent the Netherlands and proudly welcome artists and fans from all over the world in 2020.”
Rob van de Wiel, General Director of MECC Maastricht, said:
“We have everything we need to facilitate a production like Eurovision, and Maastricht has sufficient lodging capacity and an excellent international reputation. Maastricht is the perfect fit for the Eurovision Song Contest; after all, the city is located in the heart of Europe. We’re only a few kilometres away from Germany and Belgium. I sincerely believe that the event will be held in our city for this very reason. I’m already even having dreams about it.”
As 1Limburg reports, MECC’s general director has already made sure 3,000 hotel rooms in and around the city will be available in the event it secures hosting duties.
Are you living for Maastricht’s enthusiasm? Are you #TeamRotterdam or #TeamMaastricht? Let us know down below!
You do have a point there. The NL-BE-DE story excludes a large part of the Netherlands. But I’m afraid that if Eurovision is held in another city, like Rotterdam, Limburg itself will be excluded.
And in my opinion, that happens a lot in the Netherlands. Most of the big events go to the Randstad (which includes Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, etc.) When it comes to Limburg, I can only think of Pinkpop…
That’s why I’m rooting for Eurovision in Maastricht, so for once, Limburg could have a big special event, like the Eurovision Song Contest.
What about helding eurovision in more than just one city? Red Carpet event in The Hague or Amsterdam, Half Finals and Final in Rotterdam, Parties in different cities….. As there are several cities quite close to each other it might be possible to do that. If the dutch train/transport operation company then would offer a special affordable “eurovision transport ticket”fans and journalist could easily switch between the cities.
The participants are exhausted anyway to do all the preparations and rehearsals and you want to drag them between different cities to attend the events? Are you trying to kill them?
It will be: Eurovision Song Contest, Maastricht 2020, Come Closer 😉
I agree, and the whole focus on Belgium and Germany is so provincial from European and EBU perspectives. In what way does Maastricht represent Iceland, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Australia? According to their own reasoning, why not organize the festival in Lithuania, which is the geographical center of Europe?
Maastricht is beautiful but the venue is really not suitable for ESC, sorry… Rotterdam is a great city, though, like Amsterdam it doesn’t feel Dutch at all (ethnic Dutch are a minority there). Arnhem would be a good choice too, venue is great, situated in the center of the country with good transport options to Amsterdam and airports. Arnhem itself also has a lot to offer.
Wherever it will be, I’m sure that our neighbours will give us a great show 🙂 Honestly expecting the same quality as Swedish gave us
I would LOVE Maastricht to host! It’s such a beautiful city and the city’s history, location and culture literally embody the original concept of Eurovision! Would be a fantastic choice!
Good luck from Germany, just across the border 🙂
I can understand you defend your own interests living just near the borders. But I prefer REAL arguments, like location, infrastructure.
I’ve been a few times to Maastricht. It would be an amazing choice!
just listen this trip: http://short.pe/H3vKgx
Brexit party in Maastricht, how ironic
The 3 biggest venues (not soccer stadium) are Rai (Amsterdam), Jaarbeurs (Utrecht) and Brabanthallen (‘s-Hertogenbosch). I think the last one would be quite suitable as it is very central (hour away from basically all airports). Rotterdam probably will get it though, but who knows………. a surprise). Utrecht seems not to have the spirit for it (lot of nay-sayers in the council)…..
Hi everyone i am learning English. I saw a post about pronunciation of English. Is it correct? Are u native speakers adding an ‘r’ between those sounds? It doesn’t make dense to me at all..
If the word ends in (a), ‘r’ is often intruded to link it to the next following vowel sound
• pasta? and pizza (= pastarand…)
• Anna? and I (=Annarand…)
People here are from 200 millions Eurovision fans, from much more than 43 countries. Don’t be afraid of grammar police.
It is called an intrusive R and it is used in England and Wales.
This would be the worst choice. It’s only close to Belgium and Germany and nothing else. The city is way too small to host this event. If the focus will be on “showing people what the Netherlands have to offer apart from Amsterdam” then is totally the wrong location. It’s too far and only Belgium and Germany will benefit.
Rotterdam is the only serious option.
Too far from what? It depends just on what you consider as the centre.
Would be nice because I live in Belgium really near Maastricht but I don’t think it’s the best choice. Rotterdam seems to be the best place for me.
People who are praising Maastrich are doing so because of their “20.000” visitors convention centre. So I make a question for them: Do the journalists work in the arena, like inside it? Does the Delegation bubble locate inside the arena also? These 20.000 capacity is to accomodate all those elements in one same place, right? Because I don’t see places near the MECC that can fit that. I say, and I repeat: The Eurovision Song Contest is not only about having a “bigger arena”. You need to have facilities, like closer rooms to accomodate Delegation Bubbles; Press Centre; Conference rooms.… Read more »
These things about EU is sure as interesting, but let’s put back the focus where it should’ve been: VENUE. And, truth to be told, either Gelre or Ahoy is more qualified for a big live show or international concert experience than what MECC could’ve offered.
Aside of that, the EBU team hasn’t commenced their city/venue tour yet. Looking back, I would take this as a publicity stunt.
True, venue in Maastricht is a no-go for a hugh television event like ESC. Arnhem is biggest venue: a soccer stadium. Roof of Gelredome stadium can be opened op closed during matches. But that’s also a big problem: is simply not useful for hanging all lights… So there’s only one real option: Rotterdam. They had MTV EMA live tvshow twice and Junior ESC. They can do this and the will be the ESC2020 venue for sure. Rotterdam is great city btw.
1) NATO = peace
2) Schengen Area = free borders
3) EU = economy, trade without taxes
EU doesn’t have free borders (only Schengen), and EU did nothing for LGBT, each country is still free to do what it wants about this matter.
Why do you mix all these three?
What is not true from what I’m saying? EU has nothing to do with LGBT, this is true. I’m from Romania, and we can decide by ourselves if we want LGBT marriage or anything. The only thing we must accept is married same sex couples that married in another EU country. For some reason, same sex Romanian couples go and marry in Spain (I don’t know why Spain above all other countries). But nobody told us to marry same sex people in Romania. If you ask me, I totally believe people should legally marry in Romania, no matter the sex… Read more »
I like Maastricht. Rotterdam is a city without a face, I hate its architecture and their airport is a tiny, uncomfortable joke. Maastricht has far more appeal to me.
Maastricht just because of its importance in the European Union? What if I tell you that probably over 15 countries will participate outside of the EU?
Since Amsterdam dropped out, Rotterdam is the only option to accomodate so many people.
It’s also during the football season though so for the same reason as Amsterdam can’t use the AJAX stadium Rotterdam can’t use theirs without kicking the team out for a month or so.
If people here knew there’s a team in Ahoy, it’d already be an argument since then. And since Ahoy was not a home to any team, nor it was ever made for soccer, try again.
Yes, but that could be a disadvantage as well, empty hall during the semis, etc
It has to be Rotterdam, I haven’t been researching their art scene for three days for nothing. ;-P
And by the way, I found the funniest piece of art I ever seen in there, a statue supposed to be Santa Claus, but it looks like a garden gnome with a b****plug on his hand.
lmfaooo a guy i know had already booked accomodation in amsterdam for THREE weeks with no free cancelation, poor dat
A wrap, huh? That’s what many thought last year, before Tel Aviv won out over Jerusalem.
And what is this about “the most European city”? Shouldn’t consideration go first to the city that is the most DUTCH? I thought the country that wins gets to put their culture on full display the following year.
Yes, agree. If Maastrich wins, will Belgium be an automatic qualifier? And all the EU also?
Sis, we been knew it was gonna be in Tel Aviv so it’s not the same situation.
I thought it would be Tel Aviv, too. It was that city’s time. But I also thought that the few people who were hitting the decision-makers over the head for Jerusalem were going to get their way, just to annoy the hell out of everyone else and public opinion. Fortunately, public opinion prevailed, and they put on a good show (although I thought Madonna being there was overkill).
[By the way, I am male.]
Eurovision Song Contest should be non political and have nothing to do with the corrupt European Union.
Is there much to do in Maastricht for visitors?
It’s a very historic city- from a sightseeing perspective it’s great
I just went there for one night only… Arrived yesterday, left today. I don’t feel I missed anything. Its a very small city with beautiful streets and atmospheric squares and loads of chic stores. One full day for most popel is enough, 2 days is better for the ones that love to walk and explore everything. I spent a day and a half literally. There is not much to do there overall. But there are other places close by worth a visit for day trips or half a day trips I have read, like the Dutch villages of Valkenburg and… Read more »
You can also take the train and visit other cities. You can even come in Belgium. Liège is 30 minutes from Maastricht and people are the nicest you’ll ever see haha.
EU is not about unity, it’s about which country is rich enough to join. And it’s ok. Please Netherlands, don’t make it about EU, because not all Eurovision competitors are in this elite group called EU. It will be a disaster. How can you be more political than “Crimea conflict”?
Rich countries in the EU: Luxembourg, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, etc. Rich countries outside the EU: Switzerland, Norway, etc. Poor countries in the EU: Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, etc. Poor countries outside the EU: Ukraine, Moldova, etc.
No, the EU is not about who’s “rich enough to join”.
Ireland and Luxembourg are richer than Norway
Ireland is a corporate haven for modern work slaves, but Norway is way richer
Jumbo, do I see a Brexiter infiltrate even this discussion? Having been at the very brunt of Brexit, as one of 3 million “aliens” Brexiters can’t wait to get rid off ASAP, and, as such, exposed to Brexit’s unbelievable psychological cruelties for three long and painful years, I certainly can’t let your comment pass without retort. Of course you are entitled to your opinion But if my reading is correct and you are indeed English/British and in favour of Brexit, I strongly advise you to read up a bit on how the EU really functions and THEN come back, or… Read more »
Is my English that good that can make people think I’m British? This was my first thought when I’ve read your comment. I’m from the other side of the continent and I’ve never been even close to UK. But it seems that Brexit creates very passionate reactions in your country.
It’s funny that I have 2 dislikes. So people think I’m Brexiter? I’ll take it as a compliment for my English language skills.
Not true, my country and our neighbours (Latvia and Poland) was very poor when we joined the EU, countries like Bulgaria and Croatia were even poorer when they joined, and Montenegro and Albania are even poorer yet they’re on the road to joining. Learn your facts
LOL at all these people praising Rotterdam and talking sh*t about Maastricht, even though they’ve never set foot in either… Also no one said that the ESC was about the EU, just that Maastricht was an important city in the European construction and therefore symbolizes European unity (which is totally relevant for ESC).
Aggregated IQ of people on this website barely gets to two figures, I swear.
If European unity has anything to do with EU, it’s tragic. Europe is older and bigger than EU. What if Russia, Serbia and others will boycott?
Whether you like it or not, wether you’re able to fathom it or not, a city where it was decided to politically unite European countries, allow for free movement of people and of a common currency is the biggest step towards European unity that this old continent has ever seen. Can’t make this clearer for you, but I can keep trying…
If Russia, Serbia and whoever else boycotts, the contest will go as planned, just like it went flawlessly only some years ago when neither country were participating.
I explained why I didn’t like Rotterdam under another article last week. I don’t give a cr*p if it happens in Rotterdam, Maastricht or in the suburbs of Roermond, won’t change anything to the contest or for me. Regardless of the city, all I’m saying is that people have been chanting Rotterdam like sheep even though most people have never been there. + Maastricht officials pointed out how the city has played a role in the history of European unity (which is undeniable, whether you agree or not), and people start bashing the EU like it has anything to do… Read more »
The EU is an intensely political institution. It has nothing to do with unity, only enforcing one particular view on everyone else. The ESC itself has done more for unity than anything else. It celebrates diversity of thought, lifestyle and opinion. Please don’t make a political statement by hosting it in Maastricht.
“The EU is an intensely political institution”… Well duh, yeah, it’s a supranational government managed by elected people, how in the world would it be something else than a “political institution”?
“It celebrates diversity of thought, lifestyle and opinion”. FYI, the EU protects minorities and guarantees their rights and languages by law. It’s a tad more effective than singing a song in Breton at Eurovision.
Free movement of people, common currency, etc. = Unity, wether you like it or not.
Yes, you are right, the EU protects minorities – the minority of people who actually want to be part of it! Hosting the event in Maastricht as a symbol of the success of the Treaty would be the biggest act of division that Eurovision has ever seen. Let’s celebrate the diversity that Europe has to offer without descending into petty politics.
If Jon Ola Sand will make ESC about EU, I hope H a t a r i will participate again to send a message to globalists.
Yes, cause as everyone knows, globalists are renowned supporters of Israeli occupation… Flawless.
Hatari are anti-nationalist.. nice try.
Honestly I’ve always been team Maastericht from the beginning, not because of the EU thing, but because I find the city to be so beautiful! But I don’t have a problem with Rotterdam hosting either.
I think Rotterdam would make more sense as the host since, aside from being an important port city, the city has more hotels and restaurants and also because of logistics too.
Also, I think Ahoy Rotterdam has a higher celling than MECC.
When I wrote the very same things in this article few weeks ago in the comments section, I was told to learn history and geography. Since then I left comments, as this place has become toxic. I know what I will say will also receive lots of dislikes, but EU ?S the most successful peace project in history, whether you like it or not. Just because Russian troll farms are disseminating false information to you about immigrants, or Muslims or LGBT does not change this fact. It was clear to me from the beginning that Maastricht as a host city… Read more »
I understand your good intentions, but how celebrating EU can be done? It’s very exclusive since not all countries are in EU. It’s controversial in some EU countries. And it’s politics. Involving EU will make ESC 2020 the most politicized ESC ever. The Netherlands will manage to be more political than countries that hosted while being at war. I have a very uncomfortable question for you : what business does ESC have to celebrate EU?
So if the contest is hosted in Maastricht, where one EU treaty was signed, it means that the ESC is suddenly about the EU? So when it was hosted in Lisbon (where the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007), was it also “controversial”, “exclusive”, “to celebrate the EU” and “the most politicized ever”? Your comments don’t make any sense… All that they’ve said is that Maastricht has a recent history tied to Europe, that’s all. No need to make a drama out of it.
As a Lithuanian I must second this comment. Joining the EU was the best thing Lithuania ever did, finally breaking us away from the grip of the Russian empire. This is why I support hosting in Maastricht. The place in 1992 where European leaders chose freedom, peace and cooperation. A symbol of hope for millions of people who grew up like me in the 90s and early 2000s in Eastern Europe, in the hope that one day we could get to join this union of freedom and hope. And in the current context, where better to remind people that unity… Read more »
I wonder if it should be that this year’s winner is the host in TWO year’s time rather than one year. The contest is so long than a suitable venue is never likely to be easily available at one year’s notice. With 12 more months, there will be more possibilities.
Just when we thought ESC 2020 will not be politicized, it came this EU thing. Many countries that participate in ESC, are not EU members. It’s disrespectful towards them.
Rotterdam has a lot common with Eurovision, the WW2 reference is a brilliant way of showcase how the city found new ways of creating a better place, a more modern & inclusive city. Eurovision has the same story and was a project that could unite Europe after a torn apart Europe. Maybe the slogan could be: Create Passion
Rotterdam is the ultimate choice!
From Canada <3
Having the contest in Maastricht ties it far too much to the EBU- you’ll agitate the UK for starters (I can see the petty Conservative government managing to throw a hissy fit over it), as well as countries whose leaders have not been on good terms with the EU recently- like Italy and the Visegrad states. Moreover, many countries have taken part in ESC without ever being part of the EU. Choosing Maastricht reveals a certain level of bias, and would manage to make this edition controversial in regards to its location, which should be avoidable with The Netherlands, a… Read more »
That said, it’s still a good host city, although Rotterdam would be far better.
Roll on, Tory party Brexiteers (the really obsessively fanatics hell-bent on unilateral Brexit) throwing a huge hissy fit as to Maastricht hosting ESC! I’d LOVE to see that happen. But I have a hunch that theyll have more on their plate than they’ll be able to cope with, by the time ESC is on for real, so I guess they won’t bother, really. In the meantime, I think it’s true that ESC is another manifestation of the European idea. If Maastricht, as cradle of the EU, is to be host, that adds great symbolic value, to my mind. I really… Read more »
Since i really want to visit eurovision now that i actually have a chance to go there, I hope Rotterdam wins because it has the largest hotel capacity.
I don’t mind it being in any city , but the venue needs to have a decent size since NLs does have them and the camerawork and stage design should be good , no shots of the stage from Mars
I’m not attending the contest , so how fun the city is not much of a concern for me , but it would be to those who plan to go
The EU argument is the stupidest I’ve heard in a while. Yeah, let’s host the next edition in the middle of the ocean to commemorate the creation of the Atlantic Charter! Besides, it sure is something Australia, Switzerland, Israel, Azerbaijan, Norway, Russia and many other countries can identify with. EBU, average viewer won’t even know or care where the venue is, just focus on making a good show.
Do they even have enough hotel rooms? A tent city in May doesn’t sound good at all. But hopefully they checked all of the requirements before submitting a bid for ESC. I don’t really like the idea of the contest being held in a small city because I think a host city should be culturally rich with many things to do in it. I think Rotterdam could do this better than Maastricht just because Eurovision is more than a 3 night show, it also needs to be interesting enough without Eurovision and nobody wants a host city like Dusseldorf (I… Read more »
Dusseldorf is located in the compact urban Rhine-ruhr area. There are countless things to do.
Agreed – clearly, Idksmth has never watched Verbotene Liebe
Them leaking Maastricht 2020 will make the EBU to choose another host city to surprise us. And it’s not the first time i’m seeing this.
Let’s just host in on the Moon, sorted!
I don’t believe the EBU give a sh!t about the Maastricht Treaty or the € Euro…as pro-EU as I am, it has nothing to do with the contest and the EBU know this. This rumor is false, it seems highly unlikely that the EBU would want to wade into politics like this. Nah. If Maastricht does get it, it will be on the merits of its bid.
As attractive as it is, still doesn’t ring right for me.
I mean, MECC might look promising but either the South Hall is too low on ceiling or the West Hall already has a set stage and isn’t really riggable.
Maastricht is not a city, but a small town just like Hasselt
Volare, reading this, I cannot but conclude that you’re wholly unfamiliar with what actually defines a city. You are very much mistaken.
So another year of hosting the show in a tiny convention centre
its not tiny its 20k
Since when has the ESC been about the EU? Come on William!
Omgg…of course #TeamRotterdam !!!! 😉 🙂
so what?, Tel-Aviv isn’t even in Europe.
Nothing against the city, but you could directly host it in Belgium then!!
You are my inspiration! Imagine Semi 1 in Belgium, Semi 2 in Luxemburg and the Grand Final in the Netherlands… 😀
Uugh, I hate when people start throwing shade at relatively small cities. It’s ok if the say they have the capacity then there is nothing to worry about. Not every ESC should be held in a big city, what happens if a country like North Macedonia, Montenegro or Cyprus wins? It’s also a bit frustrating to see eurofans complaining about every little thing that happens in the organization of the contest. Just chill and have fun
All those countries have capital cities that will suffice. Maastricht is the twenty-second most-populous municipality in the Netherlands. There is a big difference between hosting in the largest city of a small country and the twenty-second largest city of a relatively large country. When you have internationally known cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague (even Utrecht is relatively well-known too), it looks bad on the contest to host in a small city like Maastricht. While we know that Amsterdam and The Hague were unable to host, it gives the appearance to those who aren’t aware of the reasons… Read more »
somehow they think all those countries can pull a Baku2012 and build an arena in less than 1 year.
Anything but Maastricht ?
Honestly I prefer Rotterdam: bigger city, bigger arena and also better place. Maastricht reminds me of treaties that my country (Italy) hates and as much as I love politics , I believe politics should be out of this contest and in the cities bid process.
Rotterdam would be better and have more hotels would it not?
But politics have been part and parcel of ESC from its very first edition. ESC itself manifestation of the European idea already in development during the Second World War. The same from which, eventually, the EU arose. The two can’t possibly be uncoupled from each other. Honestly!
since when does our country italy hate being in the eu lmfao it’s just poorly educated older ppl who want to pull out