Thanks to Duncan Laurence, the Netherlands made the 5th victory in Eurovision history. Normally the winning country has the right to host the next year’s contest. Due to various reasons the upcoming contest has also been held in other countries instead.

Thanks to Duncan Laurence, the Netherlands made the 5th victory in Eurovision history. Normally the winning country has the right to host the next year’s contest. Due to various reasons the upcoming contest has also been held in other countries instead. The Netherlands is a perfect example: after the first victory “Net Als Toen” by Corry Broken won in 1957, and the year after it took place in Hilversum 1958, but after the second victory “Een Beetje” by Teddy Scholten in 1959, the upcoming contest took place in London. Also 1969, as the Netherlands with Lenny Kuhr and “De Troubadour” was one of the four winning countries due to same level of points together with France, Spain and the UK, the following contest took place in Madrid. In 1975 Teach-In won with “Ding-A-Dog” in Stockholm, the year after took place in The Hague 1976, but in 1980 the Netherlands hosted the contest, despite being not the winner. Because “Hallelujah” by Gali Atari & Milk and Honey won in their home country Israel, but due to the Memorial Day, the contest could not take place in Israel that year and the Netherlands pinched-in with The Hague.

So after this year’s victory in Israel, the Netherlands are entitled to host the 2020 contest. Everybody expected that Amsterdam would be the upcoming host city, but Amsterdam has already denied. There are too many event in the city already, too many tourists and there is no need to have another major event.

Due to the fact there is an open host city competition since the last years, other cities are encouraged to apply as a host city. In the meantime there were the following possible cities and regions:

• Arnhem
• Breda
• Den Bosch
• The Hague
• Leeuwarden/Friesland
• Maastricht/Limburg
• Rotterdam
• Utrecht

The Hague has hosted the ESC twice in 1976 and 1980 and has denied recently. The final choice will be unveiled on July 10th.
There are several aspects to be taken into consideration, does the city have enough hotel capacities? What about the infrastructure, airport- and rail connection, size of the arena and costs.

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!