It has been nearly a month since The Netherlands won the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. Preparations are now in full swing in order to choose the host city for next year’s contest. Dutch broadcasters NPO, AVROTROS and NOS have confirmed that they will aim to announce the host city in August.
What’s the current picture?
The Dutch broadcasters (NPO, AVROTROS and NOS) have notified potential host cities to present their bids, to ensure that they meet the criteria set by the broadcasters and the EBU.
The following cities have expressed their interest in hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year:
- Amsterdam – The capital city of The Netherlands is in contention. However, Mayor Halsema has mentioned that Amsterdam will not stand in the way of other cities who are interested in hosting the competition.
- Arnhem – The city has decided to team up with nearby city Nijmegen for a bid to host the contest.
- Breda
- Den Bosch
- Den Haag
- Leeuwarden/Friesland – One of the European Cultre Capitals for 2018, its city council has unanimously supported its bid to host the contest.
- Maastricht/Limburg – The province of Limburg has expressed its support in bidding the contest.
- Rotterdam – Arguably, the favourite to host the contest next year, Ahoy Rotterdam has hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2007.
- Utrecht
These are the only cities that have so far expressed their interest in hosting next year’s contest. Other cities that are interested wanting to bid to host the contest will have until July 10 to present their bid books.
Once all the bids have been submitted, the organisers will then have a chance to visit the cities. After this, the host city will be then decided in consultation with the EBU.
The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019
The Netherlands internally selected Duncan Laurence to represent them at the Eurovision Song Contest. In Tel Aviv, Duncan has managed to bring The Netherlands to the Grand Final for a fourth consecutive year.
In addition to his participation in the Grand Final, Duncan has also managed to win the ‘Press Award’ for the ‘Marcel Bezençon Awards’ as voted for by the Press.
After 44 years, Duncan has managed to win the Eurovision Song Contest for The Netherlands. The last time the country won the contest was in 1975 with Ding-a-dong.
Which city would you like to head to for next year’s contest? Let us know in the comments section below or at social media. Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
