During a press‑conference interview, Sarah Engels outlined plans to revamp her song “Fire” and staging for May’s Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, joining a growing list of countries releasing updated contest versions
The preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria are rapidly accelerating, and while many delegations are polishing their performances for the big stage, Sarah Engels, Germany’s representative, confirmed in an interview that what audiences have seen so far is only the beginning. According to her, the delegation is already working intensively on a new Eurovision version of “Fire” and on revamped staging for the arena in Vienna.
“We need to shift into a higher gear”
During an interview on ARD‑Moma, host Till Nassif wondered why there was any need to change the performance at all, noting that many viewers felt the Berlin show already looked like a Eurovision grand final act. Engels did not hesitate and replied firmly: “Yes, I believe we need to shift into a higher gear here. We are already working hard on the new staging for Vienna.”
She added that her professional team is not resting on its laurels, quoting her choreographer, who told her: “Sarah, we have to work on this again, we still have a lot to do.” The German delegation clearly aims for a “larger‑than‑life” performance that will stand out among the other competitors. Engels stressed that the main changes will focus on everything happening on stage: while the performance in Berlin was “clean” and professional, she and her choreographer feel it is not big enough for the Eurovision stage in Vienna. Expectations are for more dramatic staging, with upgraded movement and visuals that better match the scale of the contest.
Acoustic Version Sparks Fan Demands
Meanwhile, an acoustic version of “Fire” that Engels performed live on air has climbed to 10th place in YouTube’s trending charts, triggering a wave of reactions and requests from fans. Many commenters are urging the German delegation to make a radical change and incorporate elements from the stripped‑back rendition into the Eurovision performance. “This version should be the opening at Eurovision, and from the chorus it should switch to the regular version,” one viewer suggested, echoing a popular idea among fans online.
Germany is not the only entry in the midst of revamps and updates ahead of May. In recent weeks, more and more countries have released refreshed Eurovision versions of their entries and announced changes on the road to Vienna. In Montenegro, the song “Nova Zora” has already received an updated version with a more dramatic and powerful arrangement tailored for the contest stage. In Moldova, “Viva Moldova” has undergone a significant production upgrade to meet Eurovision standards. And in Finland, as previously reported, the delegation behind “Liekinheitin” – currently leading the betting odds – is also expected to introduce further changes and refinements ahead of the final version to be performed in Vienna.
Sarah Engels – Who Are You?
Sarah Engels is a German pop singer of Italian descent who first gained recognition in 2011 when she finished as the runner-up on the German talent show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” (in English: “Germany Seeks the Superstar”). In 2020, Engels represented Italy in the international competition “Free European Song Contest“ with the song “Te Amo Mi Amor”, where she placed 12th out of 16 participants. Her music career includes several successful albums and singles – among them “Heartbeat” and “Im Augenblick” – both of which reached top chart positions in Germany and Austria.
Germany at Eurovision 2026
“Fire” is the song to be performed by Sarah Engels, representing Germany at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. The song was co-written by Engels together with Dario Schürmann, Luisa Heinemann, Raphael Lott, and Valentin Boes. The song “Fire” tells the story of a woman freeing herself from a burdensome and confining relationship, rediscovering her inner strength and confidence. Its message comes to life on stage through Sarah’s expressive freedom, powerful vocals, and commanding presence. Germany is ranked 21th in the betting odds these days.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Germany’s 69th participation in Eurovision. Germany joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won twice over the years. Germany’s last victory was in Eurovision 2010 with the song “Satellite” performed by singer Lena Meyer-Landrut.
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Roie is a journalist, content creator, and commentator specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. His extensive knowledge and in-depth familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
