Ticket sales for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Vienna, Austria, have shattered records: all Grand Final and Semi-Final tickets in the first sales round sold out within minutes, with one of the largest venues in the Contest’s history expected to be filled to capacity.
This afternoon, at 13:00 CET, the first round of ticket sales for Eurovision 2026 officially opened – and ended faster than anyone could have imagined. This was only the first wave of tickets released, and the overwhelming demand once again highlights Eurovision’s status as Europe’s biggest and most exciting cultural event.
A Historic and Hysterical Event
Eurovision 2026 may still be months away, but excitement surrounding the Contest’s 70th anniversary is already at its peak. The extraordinary demand for tickets to the Vienna shows turned the sales launch into an event in its own right, with all nine shows selling out at record speed.
The Grand Final sold out completely in just 14 (!) minutes, while both Semi-Finals followed closely behind, selling out within 20 minutes. Tickets for the Preview Shows were snapped up just as quickly, and within only one hour of sales opening, not a single ticket remained available.
The Biggest Venue
The Contest will take place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle – one of the largest arena to host Eurovision in recent years – making the exceptional level of demand all the more impressive.
Michael Krön, Executive Producer for Austrian broadcaster ORF, said the rapid sell-out:
“powerfully proves that Eurovision continues to bring people together even after seven decades. It’s wonderful to see, and it motivates us even more to deliver a truly special show”.
Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green also reacted enthusiastically, saying:
“To see every single show sell out so quickly is a powerful reminder of what Eurovision represents — joy, togetherness, and shared experiences, especially at a time when that feels more important than ever”.
Green added:
“For those who registered but didn’t manage to secure tickets for their preferred show, there will be more opportunities later in the spring. And for fans who want to experience Eurovision closer to home, an exciting announcement is coming very soon”.
Of course, we’ll be eagerly awaiting that announcement – and we can also confirm that at least one additional ticket sales round is expected in the coming months. In the meantime, we’ll remind you that fans will be able to watch Eurovision live from their sofas on various platforms around the globe and on the official Eurovision YouTube channel on May 12th, 14th, and 16th.
Eurovision 2026 Ticket Prices:
- Semi-final dress rehearsals: from €10 to €160.
- Semi-finals – live broadcast: From €50 to €260.
- Final dress rehearsals: From €20 to €230.
- The Grand Final – live broadcast: From €60 to €360.
For more details about Eurovision 2026 – click here!
Jury Show? Family Show? Or maybe the Live Show?
The Eurovision Song Contest will be divided, as it is every year, into three main events: the First Semi-Final, the Second Semi-Final, and the Grand Final. The First Semi-Final will take place on May 12th, the Second Semi-Final on May 14th, and the Grand Final on May 16th.
Each of these events will include the main show that will be broadcast live (Live TV Show) at 21:00 CET. However, additional tickets will also be sold for the “Family Show” which will take place on the same day in the afternoon, and tickets will also be sold for the “Jury Show” which will take place the day before at 21:00 CET. All rehearsals will include all competing songs, the hosting, and the interval acts, but will not include the final results, and there may be technical issues that could affect the viewers’ experience.
Which countries will compete in each semi-final?
The official draw for the semi-final allocation of countries was announced yesterday. This draw determines which countries will perform in the First Semi-Final and which will compete in the Second Semi-Final. Read all about the semi-final allocation here!
When did ticket sales begin in previous years?
In previous years, ticket sales for Eurovision rehearsals and live shows opened much later:
Eurovision 2019 – First round of tickets sold on February 28th, 2019 – Delay due to technical issues.
Eurovision 2020 – First round of tickets sold on December 12th, 2019.
Eurovision 2021 – First round of tickets sold on May 8th, 2021 – Preference given to ticket buyers for Eurovision 2020.
Eurovision 2022 – First round of tickets sold on April 7th, 2022 – Sales delay likely due to the impact of the coronavirus.
Eurovision 2023 – First round of tickets sold on March 7th, 2023.
Eurovision 2024 – First round of tickets sold on November 28th, 2023.
Eurovision 2025 – First round of tickets sold on January 29th, 2025.
Eurovision 2026: the 70th edition of the contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026. The Wiener Stadthalle arena, which will host the event, is expected to accommodate around 16,000 spectators per show. The contest returns to Austria following the nation’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love”, performed by JJ. It will be Austria’s third time hosting Eurovision, after previous editions held in the country in 1967 and 2015.
