The city of Innsbruck has officially submitted its bid to host Eurovision 2026, under the ambitious slogan “Together on Top”. The Austrian city aims to combine the Alpine mountain scenery with a modern urban atmosphere, offering an unforgettable experience for fans across Europe. Innsbruck’s candidacy reflects a new trend in hosting international competitions – not only large capitals but also medium-sized cities with a fresh approach to audience experience. If selected, the city will face logistical challenges but gain massive exposure and the opportunity to brand itself as a young, European cultural hub. Austria chose to propose Innsbruck in the 50th anniversary year of the Winter Olympics held there, hoping to return to global attention – this time through music instead of sport.

What Sets Innsbruck Apart from Other Candidates?

While Vienna is seen as the obvious choice, Innsbruck offers a unique alternative with clear advantages. Described by city officials as a “city of short distances”, it contrasts with the congestion and large distances typical of major cities. From the city center, one can reach 2,000-meter-high Alpine peaks within just 25 minutes.

The main proposed venue is the Olympiahallenkomplex, which includes the ice rink and adjacent sports facilities. According to the municipality, only minimal upgrades are needed to meet Eurovision production standards. The Eurovision Village is planned for the Tyrolean State Theatre Square – a symbolic location in the historic heart of the city.

A Unique Blend of History, Nature, and Music

According to the submission documents, Innsbruck presents itself as more than just a city: “A feeling of life between mountains, music, and cultural encounters”. The city seeks to offer an extraordinary setting, combining one of Europe’s most impressive skylines with historic streets, modern architecture, and a vibrant youthful atmosphere.

Unlike competing cities, Innsbruck emphasizes a core message of partnership, inclusion, and a European perspective. The slogan “Together on Top” highlights a vision of joint creation – musical and cultural – based on democratic and European values.

On-the-Ground Experience: Infrastructure, Accommodation, and Transport

Official data shows Innsbruck offers over 23,000 accommodation options throughout Tyrol, totaling more than 340,000 beds, supported by an impressive volunteer force exceeding 2,000 people. Despite the city’s modest size, it is very accessible – trains connect it easily to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, and the local airport, though relatively small, allows direct flights from major European cities.

However, some express concerns: Innsbruck Airport served only about 862,000 passengers in 2024, far behind Vienna’s airport traffic. The city stresses that proximity to international airports in Munich, Zurich, and Milan compensates for this gap, enabling convenient access via international flights.

Production Experience and Hosting History: Points in Favor

Fifty years after hosting the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck aims to prove it is still equipped to host a large-scale international event. The official bid emphasized that the plan is “feasible, economical, and supported by existing infrastructure”, though the municipality chose not to disclose official budget figures.

According to local media reports, the total production cost is expected to reach approximately €19.5 million, with the Austrian state unlikely to contribute directly – except for basic infrastructure investments. This contrasts significantly with larger cities that benefit from direct and substantial government support.

Fans’ Perspective: Will Eurovision Audiences Embrace a Smaller City?

Within the fan community, some are excited by the idea: an intimate experience, warm atmosphere, and unique location all attract many. On the other hand, questions arise: will the city offer enough accommodation? Will the transport system handle the crowds? And can Innsbruck successfully host delegations, journalists, and the large public expected to bring around half a million visitors to the area?

According to the Tyrol Chamber of Commerce forecast, hosting Eurovision could inject around €58 million into the regional economy and create tens of thousands of new overnight stays – a significant boost for the city and local hotels.

The Hosting Race: Major Cities vs. Smaller Towns

Only two cities remain in the race to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest – Vienna and Innsbruck – and both continue to compete for the honor. The contest’s requirements, including advanced logistics, proximity to an international airport, and facilities for thousands of guests, pose a major challenge for smaller cities.

As for today, July 4th, the application window has closed, and the EBU moves to the next stage of selecting the host city for Eurovision 2026. The final decision is expected in August 8th.

The two cities competing for the Eurovision 2026 hosting title are:

• • Innsbruck – the capital of Tyrol, a picturesque mountain city known mainly for hosting the Winter Olympics and modern sports infrastructure. Its bid is under the slogan “Together on Top.”

  • Vienna – Austria’s capital and largest city, home to Wiener Stadthalle – one of Europe’s largest and most advanced venues, which hosted Eurovision 2015. Vienna’s slogan is “Europe, shall we dance?” – a renewed call for unity, movement, and celebration.

As of now, there has been no official report confirming whether the city of St. Pölten, which expressed interest in hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, has actually submitted a formal application with all the documents required by the European Broadcasting Union. It should be noted that the submission window has already closed, so if an application was indeed submitted, we expect to receive an official update on this very soon.

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.