Vienna is again host of the ESC after 11 years. In addition, the appointments for the semi -finals and the final were set.
Vienna will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The finale of the music competition will take place on May 16, 2026 in the Vienna Stadthalle, Austria’s largest event center.
Recommendations of the editorial team
The two semi -finals are scheduled for May 12th and May 14th. This was announced by the public service broadcaster ORF as co-organizer of the song contest.
The capital prevailed against the competitor Innsbruck. Vienna applied under the motto “Europe, shall we dance?” (“Europe, should we dance?”) And relied on his ESC experience, the infrastructure and the large number of hotel beds. With the slogan “Together on Top” (“together at the top”), Innsbruck had set its spectacular alpine backdrop, but could not prevail.
Vienna as an experienced ESC city
Vienna is not a blank leaf. As early as 1967 and 2015, the competition took place in the Austria metropolis. Austria itself was able to win the ESC in Basel in 2025, singer JJ secured victory with his song “Wasted Love”, which took over the host role for 2026.
ORF general director Roland Weißmann said in the Ö3 “alarm clock” that both applicant cities had presented convincing concepts. However, Vienna convinced infrastructure, logistically and economically. The city’s maximum financial framework for the discharge is 22.6 million euros.
Mayor is happy
Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) was proud of the choice: “We will have a great May with each other. The application rely on numerous free events in public space in order to make the contest tangible for everyone, regardless of the wallet,” Ludwig told ORF.
The #ESC Come to Vienna! We in Vienna can be proud that our city from the European Broadcasting Union and the @Orf has been selected as the best -suitable venue for one of the largest events worldwide. https://t.co/lilpxwnvvb
– Michael Ludwig (@bgmludwig) August 20, 2025
Who sings for Austria?
The ORF has already given the starting signal for the content planning of the shows. Interested artists can apply for the decision to be made by Austria for the first time since 2016 on a television show.
Around ten acts face the audience at the end of February. The winners are determined by specialist jury and televoting. The moderation of the shows is also to be announced this year, as well as a series of documentaries around the 70th birthday of the Eurovision Song Contest.