Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam and how to get tickets to Eurovision 2020

In this article, you’ll find information on where Eurovision 2020 will be held, when Eurovision 2020 is, when Eurovision 2020 tickets go on sale and how to get tickets. There is also information on how to get to the venue and where to stay in Rotterdam.

It’s not been long since the last Eurovision, but we’re all dying for the next one. Very soon tickets will be released for Eurovision 2020 and if you’re reading this, chances are that you’re psyched up to buy tickets.

Seeing as this year Eurovision will be held in my city (and only a short walk from my house), then it was only right to let you know everything you need to know about Eurovision 2020, the venue and the city, including where to stay and how to get there. Read on!

Where will Eurovision 2020 be held?

Seeing as the Netherlands won Eurovision (the first time since 1975!), this means that Eurovision 2020 will be held in the Netherlands – it will be Eurovision 65th edition. Popular Dutch cities battled it out to win the bid to hold the event and Rotterdam won. It was officially confirmed that Rotterdam would be the host city on 30th August.

Rotterdam has a large concert venue called Ahoy, located in the south in the city towards the outskirts. This is likely one of the reasons why the venue won the bid because it’s out of the hustle and bustle of the city, so it wouldn’t disrupt the usual runnings of the city too much. But don’t fret if you want to stay in the centre – it’s super easy to get to the venue, but I’ll get to that later.

When is Eurovision 2020?

According to Ahoy, Eurovision will be held from Tuesday 12th May 2020 at 21:00 CEST, Thursday 14th May and Saturday 16th May.

• First Semi-Final: Tuesday 12th May 2020, 21:00 CEST
• Second Semi-Final: Thursday 14th May 2020, 21:00 CEST
• Grand Final: Saturday 16th May 2020, 21:00 CEST

When will Eurovision 2020 tickets go on sale?

Eurovision 2020 tickets are on sale on Thursday 12th December at 12:00 CET via this website.

Tickets are likely to go out in ‘waves’, so there will be more than one opportunity to get tickets. As Eurovision is over a few nights and also involves dress rehearsals, then there will be tickets with varying prices.

How much do Eurovision 2020 tickets cost?

Eurovision tickets have largely been varied and ‘affordable for all’, however, last year the tickets hiked. This has cast some doubt over how much the Netherlands will set the price. Rumours suggest that the Netherlands is opting for more affordable tickets, however, knowing what concert tickets are like in the Netherlands, I wouldn’t expect them to be ‘cheap’ by any means.

How to get Eurovision 2020 tickets: How hard is it to get Eurovision tickets?

Eurovision tickets are renowned for being difficult to get hold of, so you need to make sure that you are well prepared. Ensure that you are on the site before the tickets are released so you are ready to buy as they release. You can try using different devices and make sure that you have more than enough money on your bank card. Have another as a back up in case your card blocks the payment.

Once you’ve secured your tickets:

How do I get to the Eurovision 2020 venue?

It’s easy to get to Ahoy as it’s literally right opposite an underground metro station (Zuidplein), which means it’s accessible from the whole of Rotterdam. If you’re heading from the centre of Rotterdam, expect the journey to take around 15 minutes. Zuidplein is also the home of a reasonably large bus station, so you can arrive at the venue by bus (and in some cases, by coach). Rotterdam also has trams, so if you have a bit of a walk to the nearest bus or metro, you may be able to get a tram first.

Uber runs in Rotterdam, along with local taxi services, so there are no issues there when it comes to getting where you need to be.

Where can I stay in Rotterdam for Eurovision 2020?

From the moment that Rotterdam was announced as the host city, hotel prices hiked. You may find that it’s just too expensive, so what now? If you’re not fussed on the budget, book now. Find something that you can cancel in case you don’t get the tickets because they’ll be gone like hotcakes. You can also try Airbnb for rentals.

On a budget? Okay to stay out of Rotterdam? Then here are some tips from a local:

• Rotterdam is surrounded by smaller places such as Schiedam, Spijkenisse, Barendrecht and Dordrecht to name but a few. Providing that you can easily back to your accommodation, you will find that these places will be much cheaper.
• If you’re worried about late nights and getting home, then another option is to stay within the Randstad (the main cities in the Netherlands). Metros run from Zuidplein (outside Ahoy) to Rotterdam Centraal until around 1 am. After that you can catch a night bus all night. Trains leave all night to cities such as The Hague/Den Haag, Utrecht and Amsterdam.
• If you want to couple an Amsterdam trip with Eurovision, then you can catch a high-speed train directly from Amsterdam which will only take 40 minutes. You can buy these on the day for the same price as in advance (no need to book in advance). You may find that this is cheaper than staying in Rotterdam in some cases.

A little bit about Rotterdam…

Rotterdam: What’s it like?

Rotterdam is the second-biggest city in the Netherlands and is actually the most culturally diverse city in the country. The city is known for its port (the largest in Europe). It’s popular due to its architectural innovation, youthful vibe and bustling city life. Rotterdam is a fantastic city to visit and there is plenty to do.

Things to do in Rotterdam during Eurovision 2020:

Rotterdam was picked to host Eurovision for a reason. It’s an incredibly modern, diverse and bustling city, with funky architecture, great bars/restaurants and lots to do. Apart from the events that will be held during Eurovision (updates about these will be put on site as soon as they’re known), there’s plenty of other attractions in Rotterdam. There’s so much to do in fact that I’ve made an extensive list of 100 things to do in Rotterdam (yes, 100!). Check out the extensive guide here.

And before you leave don’t forget to check out the winning song here:

Need more info? Check out these free apps to download before you get to the Netherlands.

Are you excited about the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest? Or do you need any more information? Be sure to drop any comments below!

* Cover pic source: Pixabay