Just hours after singer JJ triumphed in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final with “Wasted Love,” Austria is still absorbing its third win in the contest’s history. Now, the selection method for the country’s Eurovision 2026 representative has been revealed. According to an official announcement broadcast by the Austrian national broadcaster, ORF, Austria will once again choose its entrant through an internal selection process, similar to recent years-but with an interesting twist.

Austria’s Selection: Internal Process with a Twist

In a recent interview on Austria’s public channel, Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, the content director, confirmed that Austria will again use an internal selection model, but this time will also allow for an open submission phase. This means that songwriters, composers, singers, and producers will be able to submit entries. Following this, several internal screening stages will take place.

“There will be open submission stages from the public as well as numerous internal screening phases,” Groiss-Horowitz confirmed. “Ultimately, we will select a representative from a shortlist compiled throughout the entire process.” According to the plan, the professional team at the Austrian national broadcaster will review all submissions, select a concise shortlist, and only then make the final decision on Austria’s 2026 Eurovision representative.

Continuity with Room for Fresh Talent?

While the official announcement signals continuity with the internal selection method that has brought recent success-especially following the latest victory-the introduction of an open submission phase could refresh the process and allow for the discovery of unexpected talent. Austria is setting a high bar for next year, and the diversity of entries in the submission phase may contribute to this goal.

Attention now turns not only to the identity of the future representative but also to the artistic direction Austria will choose: Will the country opt again for a modern, electronic, and energetic style, or perhaps select a more intimate approach?

Initial Reactions in Austrian Media

Though the announcement is still fresh, several Austrian media outlets have already welcomed the move to open submissions, viewing it as a gesture of transparency, openness, and trust in local artists. At the same time, there is some criticism that a national pre-selection show-like those held in Sweden or Finland-was not chosen, and that the process remains a closed submission format.

Meanwhile, discussions about the Eurovision 2026 host city continue in the background, with several cities-including Vienna and Graz-already declaring their intention to submit official hosting bids

Austria at Eurovision 2025

“Wasted Love” is the song performed by JJ, representing Austria that won Eurovision 2025 on May 17th in Basel, Switzerland, The song was written by the singer, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, alongside Thomas Turner and Teya, Austria’s representative at Eurovision 2023 with Salena and their song “Who The Hell Is Edgar?“. The song is performed in English.

The lyrics explore the pain and loss of unrequited or unfulfilled love. JJ describes himself as an “ocean of love,” while the object of his affection fears “drowning” in his emotions and chooses to pull away. The song conveys abandonment, depicting a struggle to hold onto a connection that ultimately leaves him adrift in emotional turmoil, unable to reclaim what was lost.

 

JJ – Who Are You?

Johannes Pietsch, or JJ, is a 23-year-old Austrian opera singer with a soprano voice type. Raised in Dubai, he previously participated in The Voice UK in 2020, impressing judges with his high voice. JJ also took part in the series Starmania 21 and currently performs at the Vienna State Opera.

source: ESC Discord