The City of Vienna has received official support from the municipal council to bid for Eurovision 2026, positioning Austria’s capital as a leading contender to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, expected to take place in May 2026. The decision was passed with a solid majority and garnered wide backing from the city’s major political parties, placing Vienna at the forefront of a national competition among several other Austrian cities.

Eurovision 2026: More Than a Musical Celebration – A Cultural and Economic Catalyst

Hosting Eurovision 2026 is not merely a matter of prestige – the event generates significant tourism, investment, and global media attention. Vienna, which last hosted the contest in 2015, boasts cutting-edge infrastructure, 82,000 hotel beds across 433 hotels, and proven experience in organizing international events.

The triumph of JJ and the song “Wasted Love” at Eurovision 2025 has bolstered Austria’s standing as a European pop powerhouse. Combined with the success of the 2015 contest in Vienna, expectations for another spectacular edition are high. Internal discussions within the EuroMix editorial team have highlighted Vienna’s advantages – from public transport to the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere during the Eurovision season.

Behind the Scenes: City Bids, Pressures, and Austria’s Eurovision Legacy

The host city for Eurovision 2026 will be announced on August 8, 2025. Competing cities include Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, St. Pölten, and a joint bid from Wels and Linz. The selection process comes with stringent requirements: massive venues, advanced transportation systems, robust security operations, and the capacity to host tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of journalists.

Austria has won the contest only three times – in 1966, 2014, and 2025 – with each victory elevating the country’s cultural image. History shows that hosting the contest consistently boosts tourism and international visibility, a trend expected to continue in 2026.

Political and Social Dimensions – and Israel’s Ongoing Presence

The discussion around hosting Eurovision 2026 is not without political complexity. Over the past year, several countries have criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for what they perceive as double standards – particularly regarding Israel’s continued participation despite political objections from countries such as Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, Norway, Iceland, and Finland.

Eurovision fans in Israel, based on community reactions within EuroMix, continue to closely monitor developments and hope for a strong representation in 2026. Economically, the contest is projected to inject hundreds of millions of euros into the local economy – benefiting hotels, restaurants, production services, and the broader tourism industry.

The Hosting Race: Major Cities vs. Smaller Towns

The attention shifts attention to five of Austria’s largest and most central cities – Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, St. Pölten, and the joint bid of Wels and Linz – all of which remain in contention for the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest. The contest’s requirements, which include advanced logistics, proximity to an international airport, and facilities for thousands of guests, present a significant challenge for smaller towns.

• Graz – Austria’s second-largest city, the capital of Styria, with a rich cultural tradition and advanced performance venues.
• Innsbruck – The capital of Tyrol, a picturesque mountain city best known for hosting the Winter Olympics and modern sports facilities.
• Linz & Wels – Two neighboring cities in Upper Austria, offering together large performance venues, hotels, and advanced transportation infrastructure.
• St. Pölten – The capital of Lower Austria, a modern city with convenient public transport and state-of-the-art performance halls.
• Vienna – Austria’s capital and largest city, home to Wiener Stadthalle – one of Europe’s largest and most advanced performance venues, which previously hosted Eurovision in 2015.

Preparations for Eurovision 2026: Dates, Hosts, and Anticipation

Eurovision 2026 is expected to take place in May, with the grand final scheduled for either May 16th or May 23rd – the final decision will be announced alongside the host city on August 8th, 2025. JJ, who won Eurovision 2025 for Austria with his song “Wasted Love”, has expressed interest in hosting the contest alongside Conchita Wurst, who won Eurovision 2014 with “Rise Like A Phoenix” – a pairing that has generated significant excitement among fans. Even before JJ’s victory, a video was released featuring the two singing Wurst’s song together, then transitioning to JJ’s.

Preparations for Eurovision 2026 are already underway, with high logistical and infrastructural demands and a tight competition among the leading cities.