At this point in the Eurovision 2020 host city race, five candidate remain in the running. However, in recent weeks, Rotterdam and Maastricht have become the two favourites to win. Rotterdam seems to have the best venue and the most facilities. But rumours remain that the EBU already has its mind and heart set on the southern city of Maastricht.

Governor of Limburg Theo Bovens and mayor of Maastricht Annemarie Penn-te Strake have teamed up for the Maastricht/Limburg campaign. The city is definitely paying attention to the details — and that includes affordable accommodation for visitors.

At the end of May 2019, Maastricht’s venue MECC took the option of 3,000 hotel rooms. That means that they’ve reserved the rooms and locked the prices. That’s right. Even before the bidding process started the city froze the price of the 3,000 hotel rooms that they had reserved.

Three-thousand rooms in Maastricht already have affordable prices secured. The pricing agreement has been made in conjunction with the Maastricht umbrella organisation for hotels (SAHOT – Stichting Samenwerkende Hotels Maastricht).

Annemarie Penn-te Strake and Theo Bovens have also given some insight into ideas that Maastricht has for Eurovision. They have shared the ideas in an interview with Dutch newspaper Volkskrant. Earlier this month, Rotterdam council member Said Kasmi has given an insight on the ideas that Rotterdam has, if they win the bid.

One of the ideas Maastricht has is to connect every country/delegation to one of the 43 neighbourhoods of the city. The idea is to bring music, food and entertainment of that country to the neighbourhood. The delegation of that country could also prepare a visit to the area. For this initiative the city has asked for the cooperation of the Hotelschool (Hotel Management School Maastricht) and the Kunstacademie (School of Arts). Both have confirmed their participation in the project.

The Sphinx Kwartier (Sphinx Quarter) is an older industrial area in the city. It’s currently getting a makeover to become an urban hub for living, entertainment, working and entrepreneurship. Governor Theo Bovens thinks in particular that De Gashouder — a formerly derelict gas holder — in the Sphinx Quarter can play a role in ESC 2020. In recent years it’s been transformed into an event location.

What do you think of the ideas of Maastricht? Will 3,000 hotel rooms be sufficient? Are Rotterdam and Maastricht really the only viable options at this point? Let us know in the comments below!

44 Comments
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Trevor West
Trevor West
4 years ago

All hotels have now sold out for Maastricht 2020, So if you was planning on going to late

Tina Karol
Tina Karol
4 years ago

Confirmed: Eurovision 2020 will be held in Kyiv!
We were the best host from 2009-2019

RonnnDJ
RonnnDJ
4 years ago

Well, those rooms are only reserved for press, artists and associates. The fans however will have to pay whatever the costs will be.

Pancake
Pancake
4 years ago

Let’s be real: Eurovision is going to Rotterdam.

Cobra
Cobra
4 years ago

It will be like the Olympic host city announcement between Milano and Stockholm, Stockholm offered something new and fresh but in the end it was more logical to host it in Milano. Rotterdam is like Milano on that note

Wiener Esc Fan
Wiener Esc Fan
4 years ago

is it just me who feel like they have already chosed Rotterdam back in late May and just did this to heighten the suspense? Cuz it was like 5 days ago 5 cities applied i mean they can’t just put away 3 cities in that short amount of time?!

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

Maastricht gets chosen as the host city? Just add a HOLO TACO 🙁

esc26
esc26
4 years ago

EBU has now confirmed that only Maastricht and Rotterdam are left. The article also states that Maastricht has everything a host city needs (which I doubt but okay).

Source: https://eurovision.tv/story/two-cities-left-in-the-running-to-host-eurovision-2020

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago

I’m SURE our selection board won’t be stupid enough to fall for the excessive enthusiasm of Maastricht and choose Rotterdam, but I think the 3000 hotel rooms for a 20,000 arena should be enough of a problem that they won’t pick Maastricht XD.

pepe
pepe
4 years ago

MECC can’t host 20.000 people in one hall. Besides, the net height of those halls isn’t even 13 meters.

Dutchiee
Dutchiee
4 years ago

I want Rotterdam! It’s finally in my country and it has to be at the big venue Ahoy. Otherwise we will get Tel Aviv all over again, with very high prices due to small number of places available. I really fear it’s going to be Maastricht, but in my opinion it would be a mistake. MECC is just not suited for such a big music event. And don’t get me wrong Maastricht is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, but so is Rotterdam, but they have everything it takes to host and Maastricht just doesn’t.

Adam Lee
Adam Lee
4 years ago

Maastciht is good for Eurovision young musicians but for Eurovision song contest, NO it’s not festive enough…

User8273473
User8273473
4 years ago
Reply to  Adam Lee

Love how you can’t even spell the name right 😉

Ficaaa
Ficaaa
4 years ago

You guys are so boring with shoving Maastricht down out throat. There are other candidate cities you know.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
4 years ago
Reply to  Ficaaa

They’re only doing that because Ahoy and the surrounding area in R’dam make so strong a case that they feel they have to make a lot of noise to make their case.

ESC Jonathan
ESC Jonathan
4 years ago

what about number of seats in the arena?

esc_jonathan
esc_jonathan
4 years ago
Reply to  ESC Jonathan

how many exactly? 7.000 would be okay – Tel Aviv would have been similar

Wiener Esc Fan
Wiener Esc Fan
4 years ago
Reply to  ESC Jonathan

Honey it’s not even a Arena

Robert
Robert
4 years ago

Do I find myself leaning towards Maastricht?!? Oh God 🙂 both options are great though..

esc26
esc26
4 years ago

Okay, I know I might be stupid (forgive me if I am) but let me just ask one question: Has the EBU ever actually stated they’re behind Maastricht? Even this article says “rumours remain that” and rumours are no confirmed information. The person who originally said that EBU supports Maastricht was a Maastricht insider so it’s possible that this whole EBU thing is just the city’s own marketing trick. It just doesn’t make sense that some other cities have withdrawn because their venue is too low and Maastricht is a “front runner”, even though they have the same problem.

Egle
Egle
4 years ago

Well actually this Maastricht 43 neighbourhood idea is kinda cool in my opinion. They seem to have thought this through and have the enthusiasm and initiative, so why not let them host it? So the experience could be something different, original, freshening and enjoyable. Looking at their proactivity, I’m sure they will organise the best connectivity and housing for fans and delegations, take care of press and look out for everyone’s needs. I think it could be a nice experience for everyone if the hosting city is dedicated.

asuma
asuma
4 years ago
Reply to  Egle

What you say sounds good, building bridges, but reality is about money, businesses, and I guess the big5 neighbor had a tantrum like always has when demands to sing/vote in second semifinal.

Kent
Kent
4 years ago
Reply to  Egle

Honestly they can promise a lot with these neighborhoods but then they don’t have money for it. Then we’re just stuck in a boring city

asuma
asuma
4 years ago

Maastricht hosting ESC 2020, is like Qatar hosting FIFA World Cup 2022. No offence Maastricht, but you’re the best option for Belgium and Germany, not for Netherlands. Something shady.

hhh.ghg@gmail.com
4 years ago
Reply to  asuma

Or like Madonna singing live

Max
Max
4 years ago
Reply to  asuma

You compare a democratic city with a slavery country? This is auch a disgusting comment

asuma
asuma
4 years ago
Reply to  Max

Money have no political color. If you think democracy is a vaccine against money-temptation, you are wrong.

Tijs
Tijs
4 years ago
Reply to  asuma

Well, if Eurovision is held in Rotterdam, then Maastricht (and the rest of Limburg) will probably be left out, which happens all time in the Netherlands. I just want that, for once, that is not the case, and the south gets a chance to host an event like this. We deserve it.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
4 years ago

It’s pretty obvious that Maastricht desperately wants to host Eurovision. I worry that their enthusiasm might lead to them actually hosting Eurovision. Rotterdam is the only logical option to host Eurovision.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
4 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Style in this matter is no match for substance. Rotterdam has the venue. The ceiling is more than high enough, and Ahoy can fit at least 20,000 in 3 parts of the building (16,000 in the main arena).

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago

Maastricht seems to be bribing their way to Eurovision. A lot of fishy things going on. The committee should not fall for that and just choose Rotterdam, which has the best venue.

Adrianne Glam
Adrianne Glam
4 years ago

I mean Eurovision isn’t a Exhibition, use a normal arena.
PLEASEE

Anne Størgaard
Anne Størgaard
4 years ago

Maastricht doesn’t have an international airport nearby, the side events is very limited, not much to do in the city centre and its only benefits Belgians and Germans location wise not The Dutchies. Don’t mess 2020 up love from Denmark

Adrianne Glam
Adrianne Glam
4 years ago

Ok calm down a little 😉 but I do agree about transport from International airports
Düsseldorf airport – 1h 14min
Brussels – 1h 23min
Amsterdam – 2h 9min
They lost chance by this and the ceiling which is so low

Everyday Rotterdam For Real
Everyday Rotterdam For Real
4 years ago

The Ceilingof the MECC Will damage the Host Bid of Maastricht, 17,5m is smaller than Tel Aviv and Kyiv… And honestly we all know that Tel Aviv was already quite small. #Rotterdam2020 #MakeItHappen.

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago

And that 17.5 meters is the gross height, the net height is only 12.5 meters. Ahoy Rotterdam is 23 meters.

FYROM
FYROM
4 years ago

Its a no from me

Vincent
Vincent
4 years ago

(1/2) Uhmm to me (and as I read in Dutch forums, many others) this becomes a little bit creepy and suspicious. I need to write this down, because this is just too weird now and nobody can explain it. Initially it felt as if Maastricht was in the same league as Den Bosch or even Zwolle and Leeuwarden (city size, historical cities and venue size)…nothing thát outstanding. Yet for some reason the mayor of Maastricht and her delegation are extremely confident that Maastricht definitely -got this in the pocket-. Apparently they felt this way already at the evening that Duncan… Read more »

Vincent
Vincent
4 years ago
Reply to  Vincent

(2/2) Then later some unknown source -apparently- told the regional broadcaster of Limburg (province of Maastricht) that the EBU is strongly in favour of Maastricht (as in number one), and this article was copied in national news outlets, again without any source or reference (???). EBU never officially commented on it. So it feels already suspicious and made up to get more positive attention and made-up hype. Then yesterday or the day before someone at the Maastricht-camp stated that the Head of NPO broadcaster will attend a concert of Andre Rieu in Maastricht, but then NPO denied it? I’m seriously… Read more »

Cesar's salad
Cesar's salad
4 years ago
Reply to  Vincent

Rumours are best taken with huge loads of salt.

RoboESC
RoboESC
4 years ago
Reply to  Vincent

Amen hallelujah. This is exactly what’s going on. And it needs to stop. Maastricht back off… enough is enough. The Netherlands won. Not Limburg. Byeee

Vincent
Vincent
4 years ago

Uhmm to me (and as I read in Dutch forums, many others) this becomes a little bit creepy and suspicious. I need to write this down, because this is just too weird now and nobody can explain it. Initially it felt as if Maastricht was in the same league as Den Bosch or even Zwolle and Leeuwarden (city size, historical cities and venue size)…nothing thát outstanding. Yet for some reason the mayor of Maastricht and her delegation are extremely confident that Maastricht definitely -got this in the pocket-. Apparently they felt this way already at the evening that Duncan won,… Read more »

suomieuro
suomieuro
4 years ago

If Maastricht will be the city, does somebody know which venue could host Eurovision? And how many seats would be available in there? Thanks in advance 🙂

Robbert
Robbert
4 years ago
Reply to  suomieuro

Venue, MECC, about 10,000 places in its biggest hall.