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It has been announced today that Vienna will be the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world’s biggest live televised music event.
It will be Vienna’s third time as host, following 1967 and 2015.
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF announced the news, with the final set for 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle – Austria’s largest indoor arena.
“After thorough examination and based on a unanimous jury assessment, ORF has concluded that Vienna’s bid is the most attractive not only in terms of infrastructure and logistics, but also economically,” ORF Director General Roland Weißmann said.
“As mayor of Vienna, I am naturally delighted that Vienna has prevailed and will once again represent Austria next year. I am convinced that we will have a wonderful May together,” Mayor Michael Ludwig wrote on X. He previously stated that they were “doing everything we can to bring the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 to Vienna, the place JJ calls home. Our city is ready to welcome Europe with open arms.”
The last Eurovision Song Contest took place in Basel this Sping and was watched by 166 million viewers in 37 countries. It was won by Austrian singer JJ with his song ‘Wasted Love’ – an operatic and techo-infused banger which was one of our favourites to win the contest.
JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, became Austria’s third Eurovision winner, after Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Udo Jürgens in 1966. Check out our interview with JJ.
This year’s Eurovision was hit by controversy, with pro-Palestinian activists protesting Eurovision’s decision to allow Israel – who came runner-up this year – to participate in the contest despite the war in Gaza.
Following his win, JJ called for Israel to be excluded from next year’s competition. This triggered heated reactions in Austria, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) describing Eurovision as a “queer, left-wing, woke spectacle.” FPOe also critised Vienna for the high costs regarding hosting Eurovision.
Eurovision’s finale will take place on 16 May after the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May 2026.
