The Austrian national broadcaster ORF has appointed renowned Austrian director Marvin Dietmann as the new Head of Contest for Eurovision 2026. What does the role involve, and whom is he replacing?
The Austrian national broadcaster ORF has announced a new Head of Contest for Eurovision. The role has been given to Marvin Dietmann, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Creative Director since 2011 and a well-known director within the competition, responsible for staging numerous successful Eurovision entries. He is also the founder of the company “Motions by Dietmann”, which oversees auditions for singers, dancers, and performers participating in the contest.
What Does “Head of Contest” Mean?
The Head of Contest plays a central role in implementing the creative staging vision on the Eurovision stage. As part of the position, he works closely with all participating delegations and is responsible for determining the running order of performances during the competition. This is one of the most influential roles within Eurovision, and there is little doubt that Dietmann brings extensive experience as he steps into the position.
Dietmann will replace Christer Björkman of Sweden, who served as producer and Head of Contest in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, and 2025. Björkman was not reappointed by the Austrian national broadcaster. In a recent post published on ORF’s official Instagram account, the broadcaster introduced Dietmann as the new Head of Contest, thereby officially confirming the change.
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Marvin Dietmann has served as artistic director for more than 30 Eurovision entries since 2011 and was also the chief director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Among his most notable stagings are “Rise Like A Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst, Austria’s Eurovision 2014 winner, “Space Man” by Sam Ryder for the United Kingdom in 2022, “Baller” by Abor & Tynna for Germany in 2025, and “I.M” by Michael Ben David from 2022.
Eurovision 2026: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following the country’s victory at Eurovision 2025 with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. The contest will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle, the largest indoor arena in Austria. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 12th and May 14th, with the Grand Final taking place on May 16th. This will mark the third time Vienna has hosted Eurovision, following previous editions in 1967 and 2015.
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A writer and content creator with a strong specialization in the Eurovision scene, particularly across Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries. His work highlights the artistry, storytelling, and cultural variety that define the contest, offering readers a deeper look into both established performers and emerging voices.
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