Innsbruck moves closer to hosting Eurovision 2026 as the city council approves the budget and adopts the slogan “Together on Top”. Here’s the proposal shaping up for the event.
Austria is ramping up preparations for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, expected to take place next year. Currently, Vienna and Innsbruck are the two finalists competing to host the event, with Austria’s national broadcaster ORF expected to announce the selected city in the second half of August.
City Council Approval Moves Bid Forward
Innsbruck’s city council convened yesterday to vote on the proposed hosting plan and budget. The motion passed with 22 councillors in favor and 18 against. As part of the proposal, the city has established a strategic partnership with key tourism and business stakeholders, who will assist in funding the project. Notably, some of these stakeholders are investing more than the municipality itself.
According to the approved plan, Innsbruck hopes to host the contest under the motto “Together on Top,” which reflects the city’s Alpine location and popularity as a tourist destination. If selected, the event would take place in the Olympiahalle arena, which has a capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators.
Mayor’s Statement: “We Managed to Secure Smart, Effective Funding”
The mayor of Innsbruck, Johannes Anzengruber, welcomed the decision, saying:
“We managed to secure a smart and effective funding plan together with the tourism and business sectors. Their financial contribution even exceeds that of the city – which made it possible for us to move forward. Innsbruck alone could not have borne the cost. Now, it’s a realistic and sustainable option.”
If chosen, this will mark the first time Innsbruck hosts the Eurovision Song Contest. The last time Austria hosted the competition was in 2015 in Vienna, following Conchita Wurst’s victory at Eurovision 2014.
Eurovision 2026: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Austria, following the country’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. This will be the third time the contest is hosted in Austria, after 1967 and 2015.
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Avi Zaikaner is an editor-in-chief, content creator, commentator, and international expert on all things related to the Eurovision Song Contest. Avi has followed the contest for nearly 30 years, and for the past seven years has served as the founder and editor-in-chief of EuroMix, one of the top Eurovision websites in the world, with over 1.5 million users annually.
Since 2021, Avi has provided on-the-ground coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest from the press center in the host city, bringing readers exclusive firsthand experiences, professional analysis, and direct reactions from audiences, artists, and experts. His extensive experience and deep familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date information.
Avi is recognized as a leading Eurovision opinion maker in Israel, frequently interviewed by major media outlets, collaborating with international experts, and publishing professional content on additional platforms. Every article is written with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and understanding the audience, with a strong emphasis on fact-checking and presenting a diverse range of opinions.
