Austria’s national broadcaster ORF has released a special video unveiling the timeline for several major events in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Austria. In a surprising move, the list of participating countries will be revealed earlier than expected — in September. This is in contrast to previous years, when the list was typically unveiled later, around December.

Ticket Sales for Eurovision 2026 – Starting in December

The broadcaster revealed in the video that ticket sales for Eurovision 2026 will begin in December. This is expected to be the first sales phase, with another round likely to follow. Ahead of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Swiss national broadcaster SRG SSR scheduled the first wave of ticket sales for January 29, 2025 – one day after the semi-final allocation draw. All tickets for the live shows sold out within just seven minutes, while all rehearsal tickets were gone within 20 minutes.

The second sales phase for Eurovision 2025 opened on March 27. That year, unlike previous years, purchasing tickets required prior registration for the mailing list via TicketCorner. This measure was aimed at preventing ticket resale — a common issue that makes it harder for many fans to attend live shows. Will a similar process be implemented for Eurovision 2026?

Semi-Final Allocation Draw – Scheduled for January

As in previous years, the semi-final allocation draw will be held in January. This draw determines which countries will perform in the first semi-final and which in the second, as well as whether each country will appear in the first or second half of their respective semi-final. It also assigns the Big 5 countries — Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France — to the semi-final in which they will vote.

Postcard Filming – Planned for February

Over the years, postcards have become an integral part of the Eurovision viewing experience. These short video clips, shown immediately before each competing song, typically last between 30 seconds and a minute. Their purpose is twofold: to promote the host country by showcasing landmarks and scenic views, and to introduce the competing artist or band on a personal level, often highlighting unique hobbies, personal life moments, or cultural identity.

Last year, the postcards were filmed approximately between January and April, suggesting that Austria’s national broadcaster intends to work even faster than the “Swiss clock” — both for postcard filming and the overall schedule.

 

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Which City Will Host Eurovision 2026?

According to a local newspaper, Austria’s national broadcaster ORF will announce the host city on August 20 between 8:30–9:30 AM (Israel time), from the two remaining contenders: Vienna and Innsbruck. After JJ brought victory to Austria with the song “Wasted Love,” several cities expressed interest in hosting the contest, with only these two remaining in the race. Which city will win the honor?

No official confirmation of the Grand Final’s exact date—either May 16 or May 23, 2026—has been provided. “With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two strong contenders fully capable of staging the world’s largest televised entertainment event,” remarked Roland Weißmann, Director General of ORF, in an official press release. Eurovision executive producer Michael Krön also highlighted the creativity and dedication demonstrated by both cities’ project teams.