Amsterdam says “no thanks” to Eurovision Song Competition

By Janene Pieters on July 5, 2019 - 10:12
Duncan Laurence wins Eurovision 2019
Duncan Laurence wins 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. May 19, 2019. (Andres Putting / Eurovision Song Contest)

Amsterdam will not host the Eurovision Song Competition. The Ziggo Dome, the intended location, is not available when the Song Competition is set to be held. " This in connection with bookings and reservations that on closer inspection can not be rebooked", Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema wrote in a letter.

The city tried to find another location, but it was to no avail. The RAI and Johan Cruijff Arena are also unavailable. And AFAS Live is too small.

Amsterdam also looked into hosting the song festival in a "mobile Ziggo Dome" - in true festival style on a festival site with a Lowlands tent serving as main stage. "However, after further elaboration of this concept, the whole appears to be too complex with too many uncertainties to offer a fully-fledged alternative to the Ziggo Dome", Halsema said.

"We realize that this is a big disappointment for many people in the city." She wished the other cities luck with their bids. 

The Hague and Breda also decided not to bid for the Eurovision Song Competition.

The Eurovision Song Competition will take place in the Netherlands because Dutch participant Duncan Laurence won the contest in Tel Aviv with his song Arcade. It was the first time in 44 years that the contest was won by the Netherlands. 

Cities have until July 10th to submit their bid to host the song festival, according to NU.nl. NPO, NOS and AVROTROS want to announce who will host the Eurovision Song Competition in August. Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Bosch, Arnhem and Maastricht are still in the running.

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