After the victory of singer JJ with the song “Wasted Love” in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final held in Basel, Switzerland-a win that marked Austria’s third-ever triumph in the contest-the country is preparing to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. While the exact location and final date have yet to be announced, several important details about Eurovision 2026 are already known.

When Will Eurovision 2026 Take Place?

Eurovision is expected to be held in May 2026, as is tradition each year. However, as of now, no official dates have been published for any of the stages. According to tradition, the contest will consist of three main evenings:

• First Semi-Final – Tuesday, 22:00 (Israel time)

• Second Semi-Final – Thursday, 22:00

• Grand Final – Saturday, 22:00

The possible dates for 2026 are as follows:

• April 28, April 30, May 2

• May 5, May 7, May 9

• May 12, May 14, May 16

• May 19, May 21, May 23

• May 26, May 28, May 30

According to initial estimates, the most probable dates for the three main shows are May 12, 14, and 16, 2026. However, it is important to note: No official announcement or confirmation has yet been released by the contest organizers.

 

Which Events Could Affect the Scheduling?

As in previous years, the scheduling of the contest takes into account the calendar of major international events, especially large sporting competitions:

• The UEFA Champions League semi-finals will take place on April 28 & 29 and May 5 & 6, 2026, with the final scheduled for May 30.

• The UEFA Europa League semi-finals will be held on April 30 and May 7. The final: May 20.

• The German Football Cup final is set for May 23, 2026.

These events may impact the availability of venues, television broadcasts, and coordination between the broadcasting systems of various countries.

Which Countries Will Participate in Eurovision 2026?

So far, nine countries have expressed preliminary interest in participating in Eurovision 2026:

Austria
Belgium
Finland
Germany
Netherlands
Spain
Sweden
France

According to regulations, broadcasters that are members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) must officially confirm their participation by mid-October 2025.

 

When Will Ticket Sales Begin?

Based on recent years’ tradition, ticket sales for Eurovision usually open between December and January. Therefore, it is estimated that tickets for Eurovision 2026 will go on sale towards the end of 2025.

We will provide updates once official information about ticket sales for Eurovision 2026 is released. In addition, full sales details can be followed on the contest’s information pages or through the official channels of the organizing body. It is very important to beware of purchasing scams on unofficial websites.

Eurovision Village – The Official Eurovision Festival Area

Each year, the Eurovision Village is set up-a central festival area open to the public, featuring live performances by participating artists and guests, parties, public screenings of the contest stages, and a variety of activities. The Village is an integral part of the city’s Eurovision atmosphere and serves as a major attraction for hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals.

EuroClub – The Official Eurovision Parties

EuroClub is the venue for official parties throughout Eurovision week, including after-show events, press parties, and special meetings with the artists. It is a central gathering place for artists, journalist delegations, accredited fans, and contest enthusiasts-a celebration in its own right that accompanies every Eurovision edition.

What’s Still Missing?

At this stage, the exact location of the contest has not yet been announced-that is, the host city or the venue selected to host the shows. The announcement is expected during the summer months, following a round of inspections and adjustments conducted with several cities in Austria. In the past, Vienna hosted the contest twice: in 1967 and 2015.

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: Eurovisionworld