Vienna has been officially announced as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. This follows Austrian singer JJ’s victory in the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland, with his song “Wasted Love.”
The Austrian public broadcaster ORF, responsible for organizing the event, confirmed that Vienna was chosen for its infrastructure, logistics, and economic advantages. Innsbruck had also submitted a bid, but Vienna prevailed. This marks the third time Austria’s capital will host Eurovision, after previous editions in 1967 and 2015.
Michael Ludwig, the mayor of Vienna, expressed his excitement, stating that the city looks forward to welcoming fans and delegations for a memorable contest in May 2026.
The competition will take place at Wiener Stadthalle, a versatile arena with a capacity exceeding 16,000 spectators. The venue is familiar to Eurovision fans, having successfully hosted the 2015 contest.
JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietz, became Austria’s third Eurovision winner, following Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Udo Jürgens in 1966.
Eurovision 2026 Dates:
- First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
- Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Grand Final: Saturday, May 16, 2026
According to Austrian media, two key factors helped Vienna secure the event over Innsbruck. The Olympiahalle in Innsbruck could not accommodate the green room on-site, a standard requirement in recent years, forcing delegations to travel to separate locations. Additionally, Innsbruck’s hotel capacity was limited, with many accommodations outside the city center, complicating logistics for both participants and visitors.
