Last Friday — on the 28th of August — Dutch broadcaster NPO finally revealed its hand. Rotterdam has been given the honour of welcoming the Eurovision family in 2020 as the host city. The very impressive Rotterdam bidbook was made public afterwards, and we’ve already pulled out the most important details — like the potential of a “recycled gold carpet” ahead of the opening ceremony — in a separate post.

But beyond the official announcement, even more news came out over the weekend. So we’ve taken a dive and captured a few gems and tasty nuggets that you may have missed. Get excited and let’s do this…

Sietse Bakker informed the host city candidates via telephone.

Given all the hard work and effort that both Maastricht and Rotterdam put into their bids, it’s only fair that they received notice prior to the official announcement.

Half an hour before the announcement on the Dutch national TV channel, Eurovision 2020 producer Sietse Bakker called the cities himself to inform them. This is what Sietse said to both:

Here’s a bit of what he said to Maastricht’s bid team: “I’m going to really disappoint you. We have unfortunately not chosen Maastricht. I would like to explain why. You have showed the best of what Maastricht and the province of Limburg has to offer. Unbelievable, professional and committed. And in our eyes, also very welcoming and hospitable. You have put so much energy in this, we have seen that. We acknowledge that. And therefore we find it important that we substantiate our decision.”

The phone call with Rotterdam went like this.

“NPO, NOS and AVROTROS, with the full support of the EBU, have decided that the Eurovision Song Contest of 2020 will take place in Rotterdam. And so I want to hereby, in the name of the whole team, congratulate you.”

Mayor of Rotterdam responds via video message.

The mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, has been a dedicated advocate of #Rotterdam2020 since the start. Shortly after the announcement of Rotterdam as host city, he uploaded this video message.

” What wonderful news for Rotterdam today. In 2020, Rotterdam will host in Ahoy the biggest song contest — the Eurovision Song Contest. Big gratitude to the broadcasters and for the trust we’ve received from the organisation (EBU).  Also thanks to City Councillor Kasmi, the team of Rotterdam Partners and Ahoy for working so hard the past weeks on lobbying and showing that Rotterdam can do this. Rotterdam, people of Rotterdam, people from The Netherlands, we’ll organise this grand festival together next year. And they will show themselves in the best possible way to the world. And now, there is no time to lose, City Councillor and team, roll up your sleeves and let’s keep moving to be ready in time for 2020″. 

Rotterdam Ahoy joins in on the excitement.

Rotterdam Ahoy has been involved in the bidding process from the very start. Rotterdam City Councillor Kasmi has worked really closely with director of Ahoy, Jolanda Jansen, in recent weeks. The venue was eager to show itself off once again — and to prove that it’s capable of epic shows beyond the MTV Awards. The excitement shared by the Ahoy team only took the Rotterdam team higher.

Yesssss. The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Rotterdam. What an honour to host such a large event!”

The police force of Rotterdam will get help from across the country, as ESC has been given the official status of “National Event”.

One of the challenges that come with hosting Eurovision is safety and security. Let’s face it: it’s one of the world’s biggest events and troublemakers see opportunities to wreak havoc. Thankfully the various forces of the Police of Rotterdam fully understand that and are prepared to take the responsibility for that. To show that they’re ready to welcome the Eurovision family, the police force released a short clip a day after the announcement. 

“In 2020, the Eurovision Song Contest comes to Rotterdam. To my city. And my city. To  our city. To the city where we, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, work hard to secure the safety. We do this on the streets, in the air, under the ground and…on the water. We are visible and non-visible. We are here for you. And you. For everyone. So let the Eurovision Song Contest arrive, we are ready.” 

Speaking on the evening talkshow ‘Jinek‘, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said that ESC2020 will be classified as a national event, which gives it elevated importance and allows for greater resourcing. He agreed this with a minister. ‘There will be a massive safety operation set up. Colleagues have been abroad in regards to that and they know what it entails. We can also use the organisation’s experience, we will use that a lot. We will mobilize a lot. I had a phone call with the minister this afternoon. It will get the official status of a national event. 

In terms of the Dutch government structure, the official status of national event means that the national government gets involved in safety and security, including the NCTV — the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism.

Who is going to pay for Rotterdam 2020?

The province of South Holland confirmed earlier in the bidding process that it would contribute one million euros if Rotterdam was named host city. A day after the announcement, the province of South Holland has released an official statement, confirming their support and contribution.

The city of Rotterdam itself will be responsible for a large portion of the finances. During the press conference in Rotterdam, City Councillor Kasmi said that the city will contribute a ‘significant amount’. Apparently it’s been agreed within the city council that the amount of money that  Rotterdam contributes will remain a secret until September. Kasmi was repeatedly asked about this, but stuck to his script.

And then there is the contribution (or non-contribution) from the Dutch Government. Almost immediately after Duncan Laurence’s win in May, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Dutch Government would not contribute to the financing of Eurovision. However, NPO Head of Board Shula Rijxman stated last Friday evening that she will ask the government for between 15 and 20 million euros. Appearing on the talkshow Jinek — alongside Sietse Bakker and Mayor Aboutaleb  — Shula said:

“We are going to ask the government for a contribution. The public broadcaster has cut costs a lot. There is again a budget cut on its way to us. This is a great event that can put The Netherlands economically and culturally on the map. It’s really a festival for and from The Netherlands. And therefore we will also ask the government for funding. It’s only now possible to make the budget overview, so we still need to look into it, but it will be an amount in between 15 and 20 million.”

Disappointment in Maastricht

Make no mistake, Maastricht really, really wanted this. So it’s no surprise that the disapointment in the southern city was huge. TV broadcaster 1Limburg (the TV station of the province of Limburg) has made a summary of the different responses on the loss by Maastricht. But the broadcaster also showed they are good sports: Since Friday the broadcaster’s official Facebook page has read: ‘Congratulations Rotterdam!’

Mayor Annemarie Penn-te Strake made a short statement after the announcement:

“I congratulate Rotterdam. They really deserve it. But for us it’s an absolute disappointment. We have worked hard. We have shown that we can do this and that we have great things to offer.”

She later added in an interview: “Yes, disappointed, we didn’t get it. It doesn’t matter, as long as we can as The Netherlands pull off a great show. I have called my colleague from Rotterdam (Mr. Kasmi) and wished him congratulations and told him to make something great of it. Something we can all be proud of.”

MECC’s director admits that he has shed a few tears. The city previously came second with their bid for European Capital of Culture (they lost to Leeuwarden). Violist and orchestra leader André Rieu, also shares in the disappointment. Being born in Maastricht and a musician himself, he showed active support for the bid and even joined the delegation for the handover of the bidbook. In various Dutch media he congratulated Rotterdam and stated that despite the disappointment, he is proud that ESC is coming to the Netherlands. Producer Sietse Bakker confirmed during the press conference in Rotterdam that Maastricht lost mostly because of the limitations of the venue MECC.

Rotterdam wants an inclusive Eurovision.

During the press conference and also in the Rotterdam bid book, Rotterdam stressed above all that it wants an inclusive Eurovision. This means the focus will be on the long history that Rotterdam has with migrants (Chinese dock workers, immigrants from Suriname/Caribbean), the LGBT community, people with lower incomes (via the Rotterdam pass) and, of course, Rotterdammers at large. Council Kasmi reiterated this during the press conference.

Eurovision Village: Two locations are in the running

City Council Kasmi has confirmed during the press conference that there are two locations currently in the running to host Eurovision Village. But they cannot reveal which ones just yet. They are now in the process of talking to the people that live close to those locations to make sure that the neighbourhood is informed. The two locations are very suitable according to City Councillor Kasmi. Eurovillage should be widely open to everyone, especially to people with a limited income.

Tickets go on sale before Christmas — and the Mayor says “180 euros” is too much.

During the press conference in Rotterdam, Sietse Bakker confirmed that everything will be done to put tickets on sale before Christmas.

‘It’s important that you are accessible for a wide group of people. We are taking that into account. We can’t give any details, we are just 100 days underway. But it’s our intention to have tickets on sale before the end year. Who doesn’t want to find an ESC ticket under the Christmas tree? 

Bakker reiterated that during the Jinek talkshow that they want ESC2020 also to be accessible for people with a lower income. Mayor Aboutaleb said in response that he thinks 180 euros for a ticket is too much. So we are hoping for affordable tickets, y’all!

Nothing revealed yet about the hosts.

Shula Rijxman (Head of Board) confirmed that nothing is known yet about the hosts. She did say that NOS/NPO has a good stable of talent, probably ruling out the possibility that the hosts will come from any other TV group. During the Jinek, Shula joked that she was also looking at Jinek, one of the names that has been circulating as a rumour. Both Sietse and Shula said they expect the hosts to be decided in a few months.

Are you excited for Rotterdam 2020? Will you be joining the party in The Netherlands? Let us know in the comment section below!

Follow all of our Dutch news here

32 Comments
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Alex
Alex
4 years ago

This is gonna be a pleasure and a massive improvement from Tel Aviv which was the most expensive ESC in years (or decade?). We could not afford Tel Aviv with the extraordinarily high ticket prices and accommodation + flight tickets. Rotterdam can be reached via train, FlixBus and planes, very good connections from all over the Netherlands and Belgium so lots of options for fans and visitors. Accommodation can be found in nearby towns/cities so stop looking only inside the city. use your imagination and look around. Netherlands is a small country and everything is within short distance by train… Read more »

Chris
Chris
4 years ago

Cheap tickets and symbolic overtures about ‘people on lower incomes’ are pretty pointless when all the hotels in your city inflated their prices weeks before the host city or dates were even announced. Obviously the prices will rise a bit that week, but single rooms in hostels at 650EUR a night? Hard pass.

Ana
Ana
4 years ago
Reply to  Chris

They were talking about people from Rotterdam that could buy cheaper tickets and enjoy the show despite being with lower income. Not everything surrounds the tourists. It’s not like it’s a basic right to attend ESC, but if the country is hosting, that’s a chance to give residents with lower income a chance to experience that. In Israel they gave away a lot of tickets for the rehearsals to soldiers and people in need, that was because many tickets were unsold, but still it was sort of a nice move.

Chris
Chris
4 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Agreed that it’s a nice gesture for locals and others near enough to take advantage. As for visitors, nobody expects hotels to be ‘cheap’ during ESC (or any event) week, but it seems more out of hand this year than in Tel Aviv or Lisbon.

Robbert
Robbert
4 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Well, I don’t deny that many hotel rooms are expensive. On the other hand I have found a big bunch of rooms at normal prices and even canal-boats changed into luxurious apartments. I found them in a few clicks. But maybe, as a Rotterdam inhabitant, I know how and where to search.

Stephen Lynch
4 years ago

It’s all fine and well having cheap tickets but when you can’t get a hotel room for less than £600/night what’s the point?

dutchie
dutchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Lynch

Holland isn’t big and the public transport system is good.
You don’t need to look only in Rotterdam.

Robbert
Robbert
4 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Lynch

I could give you a few suggestions to good prices. It’s often a matter of knowing how/where to search.

Duncan
4 years ago

Gerard Joling of course.

Fionn
Fionn
4 years ago

I love that the comment section on wiwi blogs is just a perfect place for Eurovision nerds like me

FYROM
FYROM
4 years ago

baku 2021

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  FYROM

Millstreet 2022

Fionn
Fionn
4 years ago

They’re building a new venue in cork city that would be perfect

escfan
escfan
4 years ago
Reply to  FYROM

Paris 2021 in the biggest arena of Europe and 2nd biggest arena of the WORLD , it would be the biggest Eurovision EVER, let’s do this!!

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

Everything sounds just great. Also the procces is developing very smoothly and everyone seems motivated to set up a perfect show. So promising. Eurovision is in the correct hands at last.

KESC
KESC
4 years ago

Cornald Maas? Please,no!!

Hi243
Hi243
4 years ago

For the people concerns about the finances: I truly believe everything will be sorted out. Yes, in May, Mark Rutte said that the government wouldn’t pay. But, honestly, it looked like a ‘polically correct’ answer. Some of the Dutch would, namely, become quite mad at him if he ‘recklessly’ offered millions of euros for Eurovision, while certain groups in Dutch society, such as people in healthcare and education, are demanding more money from the government. It’s just classical politics all over again. Recent articles state that the government wants to review an official budget plan from the Eurovision board, to… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Hi243

To be fair, as much as we all love Eurovision, the government would need to prioritise public sector goods like healthcare and education. Doing a Baku by placing the need to show off as hosts over the need to care for citizens is never good.

I think much of the funding would be sourced from the network itself as well as the local, municipal funding of the city itself, and the government just filling in as a means of last resort rather than intervening from the get go.

KESC
KESC
4 years ago

How are the prices normally? I mean how much does a ticket cost for the grand final? Of course, it depends on where you sit etc, but could someone clarify me a bit? 🙂
Cause I may join the party in Rotterdam next year!!

Paul
Paul
4 years ago
Reply to  KESC

They were about €400 last year? Cheap at twice the price for the best day of the year!

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago

I’m really annoyed that the government doesn’t want to give any additional money for eurovision. Normally they literally throw it over the bridge, spending hundreds of thousands on a “democracy festival” which was visited by barely anyone, or spending millions on it projects that get cancelled halfway through. They just say no in the media because they know it will appeal to the average older voter.

Daniel
Daniel
4 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

The government probably will contribute after all other sources of money are official.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

We don’t know anything until we actually see it, but all this sounds so good that, if realized, the contest should just stay in Rotterdam forever. Good luck getting money from Mark Rutte, though. You may get it in the end, but this won’t be a fun conversation. But I’m fairly confident that The Netherlands are not a country whose officials are putting the entire hosting gig into question with their behavior, unlike others over the last couple of years.

Ana
Ana
4 years ago

So funny that after Tel Aviv every government will be like “oh hell no, we’re not paying for this sh*t”. Hope that we won’t get another 2010 sort of stage if the broadcaster doesn’t get its 15-20m Euros.

Robbert
Robbert
4 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Hmm, that won’t happen. There will be LEDs at least.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

This sounds lovely. And having discounted tickets for Rotterdamers is really inclusive.

pepe
pepe
4 years ago

Pretty sure the Maassilo is one of the two proposed locations for the Eurovillage.
http://www.maassilo.com

pepe
pepe
4 years ago
Reply to  Daphne Dee

Oh, I thought Eurovillage and Euroclub were the same thing. What’s the difference?

pepe
pepe
4 years ago
Reply to  Daphne Dee

Ok, thanks.