The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Rotterdam!

The 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be taking place in Rotterdam in 2020. The shows will be organised in Rotterdam Ahoy. This was announced today by the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 project organisation, consisting of NPO / AVROTROS / NOS and EBU (European Broadcasting Union). Two weeks in May, the city will be in the thrall of the biggest music event in the world.

During a press conference earlier today in Inntel Hotels Rotterdam, Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Events ESF 2020, and Shula Rijxman, President of the Executive Board NPO, presented a 'Eurovision Song Contest tile’ to Saïd Kasmi, deputy mayor of Education, Culture and Tourism, and Jolanda Jansen, Managing Director of Rotterdam Ahoy. In symbolic fashion, this officially confirmed the cooperation between the city and the project organisation. The tile will be given a permanent place by the entrance to Ahoy.

It was tense right up to the last moment, but this is fantastic news for Rotterdam. With our bid, we convinced the organisation that Rotterdam is able and ready to do this. We want to present Rotterdam to all Eurovision fans: diverse, a city of innovation, creativity and architecture and with Ahoy as a fantastic event location. Over the coming months, we will be working very hard together with our partners to organise an amazing event. A festival by everyone, for everyone. In which the Netherlands is the host country and Rotterdam the stage.

Said Kasmi, Deputy mayor

TV shows

The big TV shows for the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Ahoy, one of the most multi-faceted event venues in the Netherlands. Besides the two semi-finals (12 and 14 May) and the closing finale (16 May), there will also be various rehearsal shows here which fans can attend. Furthermore, the event attracts many (international) journalists.

It's absolutely fantastic that the Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Rotterdam and that we can host this tremendous event! Ahoy was built for live entertainment and I'm convinced this will be a spectacular and memorable edition that will make the region, province and the entire Netherlands proud.

Jolanda Jansen, Managing Director of Ahoy

Public version bid book

Interested to know how Rotterdam brought the Eurovision Song Contest to the city? A public version of the bid book is available from today:

Click here to view our bid book

Eurovision Song Contest 2020 Rotterdam
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam is a partnership between the project organisation consisting of NPO / AVROTROS / NOS and EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and the city of Rotterdam. Various other partners are also involved, including: Rotterdam Partners, Rotterdam Festivals, Ahoy, associated partners with Rotterdam Make it Happen and the Province of South-Holland.

About Rotterdam Ahoy
Rotterdam Ahoy is a well-known event venue with an indoor arena, six exhibition and event halls and a congress centre. This combination of various functions under one roof is unique, making Ahoy one of the most multi-faceted event venues in the Netherlands. Besides facilitating events, Rotterdam Ahoy is also the organiser of seventeen of its own titles, which take place in house or on sites at home and abroad.

At the end of 2020, Ahoy will be expanding with the addition of Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre (RACC), consisting of 35 halls and RTM Stage. This is not just the largest auditorium and the biggest theatre venue in the Netherlands (seating for 2,750), but when all the seats are removed, it is transformed into a music hall for concerts and events accommodating up to 7,000 people. This makes RTM Stage a unique venue among both concert and theatre halls in the Netherlands. The official opening will take place in January 2021, when Ahoy celebrates its 50th anniversary.