While the Eurovision 2026 season has not officially begun – the official starting date is September 1st, 2025 – we are already seeing the first waves of excitement and initial participant lists emerging. The festive music occasion, marking its 70th anniversary, is currently in the early stages of preparation, with Austria set to host the upcoming competition.

However, the central question at the moment is: Will Eurovision be held in Innsbruck or Vienna? The final answer will be delivered in the coming days by the Austrian national broadcaster, and the official host announcement is expected to be an intriguing surprise before the season opening.

Current List of Participating Countries

Although the final registration deadline has not yet passed, at this stage, 23 countries have expressed interest in joining the next competition. Among the countries already in the race:

1. Albania
2. Azerbaijan
3. Belgium
4. Cyprus
5. Denmark
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Israel
11. Italy
12. Latvia
13. Lithuania
14. Luxembourg
15. Malta
16. The Netherlands
17. Norway
18. Serbia
19. Spain
20. Sweden
21. Switzerland
22. United Kingdom
23. Austria – the host.

On the other hand, several countries that participated in the distant past have announced their absence for 2026. These include Andorra, whose last appearance was in 2009; Bosnia and Herzegovina, last seen in 2016; as well as Morocco, Slovakia, Russia, and Belarus.

Which countries may withdraw? Watch the video and find out!

Final Deadline for List Announcement and Further Country Decisions

Tension around the final list is rising as summer draws to a close, with attention focusing on what will happen with the countries still debating their future in the contest.

It is likely, despite early reports, that the Austrian national broadcaster ORF will allow registration until mid-October, after which additional time will be given to withdraw without penalty. The official, final list will be revealed around December 2025, similar to previous years.

Possible Withdrawals and Controversies

Some countries – such as Iceland, Slovenia, Belgium, and Ireland—oppose Israel’s participation. Iceland and Slovenia have stated that their decision to participate will depend on the outcome regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. These four countries are demanding transparency from the EBU on public voting, particularly since Israel won the public vote in Eurovision 2025.

San Marino is also engaged in internal discussions about its participation, expressing dissatisfaction over the voting system, which it claims disadvantages “small countries”.

New and Returning Countries in 2026

The 2026 edition may feature interesting changes, with several countries looking to return or debut. According to European media reports, there is a chance Kazakhstan will make its debut in Austria’s Eurovision. Meanwhile, North Macedonia is considering a return after a break since 2022. Rumors also circle around Bulgaria and Monaco.

The Host City Decision: Vienna vs. Innsbruck

Speculations continue about the host city: Following a thorough selection process, Vienna and Innsbruck are the finalists. The full announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Hosting requirements include high transport accessibility, the capacity to host more than 10,000 spectators, and provision of innovative infrastructure such as an international media center suitable for over a thousand journalists. Vienna, which hosted the competition in 2015, brings the spacious “Wiener Stadthalle”, offering comfort to visitors and artists alike. In contrast, Innsbruck presents the renowned Olympic venue “Olympiahalle”, promising a unique experience.