Vienna to Host Eurovision Song Contest 2026

pectetetecompeVienna is selected officially  as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Austrian broadcaster ORF and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced today  that the 70th edition of the contest will take place in Austria’s capital. The live shows scheduled for at Vienna’s renowned Wiener Stadthalle. The contest is  held on 12, 14 and 16 May. This marks a return of Eurovision to Vienna after 11 years, as the city last hosted the event in 2015. 

Austria earned the honor of hosting Eurovision 2026 thanks to the victory of singer JJ at the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland. JJ’s win brought the contest back to Austria, ensuring the country will host the Eurovision Song Contest for a third time. Udo Jürgens and Conchita Wurst won the contest before.

The selection of Vienna comes after a competitive bidding process between Vienna and Innsbruck. ORF evaluated both bids, and the Austrian capital’s experience and facilities ultimately gave it the edge. 

A Eurovision Homecoming for Vienna

Vienna is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest. The city’s rich musical heritage, from classical composers to a vibrant modern music scene, makes it a fitting host for Europe’s biggest music event. Vienna previously hosted Eurovision in 1967 and again in 2015. The city earned praise for its organization and hospitality. The 2015 contest at Wiener Stadthalle was a resounding success. The contest drew tens of thousands of visitors and resulting in around 1.3 million overnight stays in the city during the event. The European Broadcasting Union gave highly positive feedback on Vienna’s hosting in 2015.

As Austria’s capital and largest city, Vienna offers well-developed infrastructure ready for the influx of fans, artists, and media. The city boasts roughly 80,000 hotel beds to accommodate visitors. There is an extensive public transportation network. Vienna’s international airport also provides direct flights from over 65 countries, ensuring convenient access for all the participating delegations and fans traveling from abroad.

Wiener Stadthalle: The Contest Stage

Wiener Stadthalle will serve as the venue for all Eurovision 2026 shows. This iconic multi-purpose arena is Austria’s largest indoor venue. There is a seating capacity of around 16,000 spectators. Stadthalle has hosted countless major events and concerts, including the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which makes it well suited for the contest’s complex staging requirements.

By choosing an established venue, ORF can leverage Stadthalle’s existing infrastructure and experience. The arena requires no significant new construction to meet Eurovision’s needs. This allows preparations to get underway immediately. ORF’s production team will benefit from the prior experience of hosting Eurovision at this venue in 2015. They will use those lessons to make the 2026 edition even more spectacular.

Looking Ahead to May 2026

With the host city now confirmed, excitement is building for a memorable Eurovision Song Contest in May 2026. The event will feature two semi-finals and a grand final over one week. Dozens of countries from across Europe, as well as guest nations,  will compete for the coveted Eurovision trophy. Viewers can anticipate elaborate stage performances, eclectic musical styles, and the celebratory spirit that Eurovision is known for.

Host broadcaster ORF will now turn its focus to the detailed planning and creative aspects of Eurovision 2026. In the coming months, ORF and the EBU exto reveal the official theme and artwork for the contest. Apart from that, the show presenters and other production details will be known. The city of Vienna will also begin its preparations. That includes planning the official Eurovision Village fan zone and other public events to entertain visitors throughout the week.

Tickets for the live shows are projected to go on sale in late 2025, once the arena seating plan is finalized. With under nine months to go, Vienna is already gearing up to welcome Europe for an unforgettable Eurovision experience in May 2026.

Picture of Martijn

Martijn

See all contributions

Related news
Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Malta

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Malta.   Aidan: Inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest Aidan Cassar, known professionally as Aidan, is a Maltese singer-songwriter born on 17 December 1999 in Żejtun, Malta. Inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest from a young age, he set his sights on performing on that stage early in life. His breakthrough came in 2018 when he competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) with “Dai Laga,” finishing fourth and launching his music career. Breakthrough and Growing Success Following his debut, Aidan steadily built a strong fanbase in Malta. In 2021, he gained major attention with “Naħseb Fik,” his first Maltese-language song, which won Video of the Year at the Lovin Malta Social Media Awards. His music blends modern pop with Mediterranean influences, helping him stand out in the local music scene. National Fame with “Ritmu” Aidan’s popularity surged in 2022 with “Ritmu,” which finished second at MESC but became a chart-topping hit in Malta. The song’s success established him as one of the country’s leading young pop artists, known for catchy tracks and energetic performances. Challenges and Continued Growth In 2023, Aidan faced a setback when he was disqualified from MESC due to rule violations related to social media promotion. Despite this, he released his debut album This Is Aidan, followed by the EP Wild, Wild, Wild in 2025. By then, he had achieved over ten number-one hits in Malta, confirming his status as a top pop act. Bella: A Multilingual Song with Global Appeal “Bella” is an emotional pop song performed in English, Maltese, and Italian. This multilingual approach gives the track a unique identity while making it accessible to an international audience. By blending languages, Aidan adds depth and authenticity to the song’s storytelling. What “Bella” Is About At its core, “Bella” explores love without closure. The lyrics focus on heartbreak, confusion, and the lingering feelings that remain after a relationship ends. Instead of anger, the song highlights vulnerability and honesty, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced unfinished love. Deep emotional attachment that refuses to fade In “Bella,” Aidan weaves together a story of deep emotional attachment that refuses to fade, even after a relationship has ended. The song captures that lingering sense of longing—where memories and feelings remain vivid despite time or distance. At the same time, there is a quiet but powerful sense of hope running through the track, as it imagines the possibility of reconnecting and finding love again in the future. This emotional narrative is further enriched by the song’s multilingual nature, where English, Maltese, and Italian blend seamlessly. The use of the word “Bella,” meaning “beautiful,” becomes both a symbol of affection and a central emotional thread, enhancing the song’s intimacy and universal appeal Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest Malta has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 36 times since its debut in 1971. The country’s best results came in 2002 and 2005, achieving second place with Ira Losco‘s “7th Wonder” and Chiara‘s “Angel,” respectively. The most recent success was in 2021, when Destiny‘s “Je me casse” was 7th, after she won her semifinal. The Bookmakers Malta currently stands at a respectable 14th place with the bookmakers—surely a place in the final is within reach. But could a top ten finish be next?  

Read More »
April 29, 2026 No Comments
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Malta

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Malta.   Aidan: Inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest Aidan Cassar, known professionally as Aidan, is a Maltese singer-songwriter born on 17 December 1999 in Żejtun, Malta. Inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest from a young age, he set his sights on performing on that stage early in life. His breakthrough came in 2018 when he competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) with “Dai Laga,” finishing fourth and launching his music career. Breakthrough and Growing Success Following his debut, Aidan steadily built a strong fanbase in Malta. In 2021, he gained major attention with “Naħseb Fik,” his first Maltese-language song, which won Video of the Year at the Lovin Malta Social Media Awards. His music blends modern pop with Mediterranean influences, helping him stand out in the local music scene. National Fame with “Ritmu” Aidan’s popularity surged in 2022 with “Ritmu,” which finished second at MESC but became a chart-topping hit in Malta. The song’s success established him as one of the country’s leading young pop artists, known for catchy tracks and energetic performances. Challenges and Continued Growth In 2023, Aidan faced a setback when he was disqualified from MESC due to rule violations related to social media promotion. Despite this, he released his debut album This Is Aidan, followed by the EP Wild, Wild, Wild in 2025. By then, he had achieved over ten number-one hits in Malta, confirming his status as a top pop act. Bella: A Multilingual Song with Global Appeal “Bella” is an emotional pop song performed in English, Maltese, and Italian. This multilingual approach gives the track a unique identity while making it accessible to an international audience. By blending languages, Aidan adds depth and authenticity to the song’s storytelling. What “Bella” Is About At its core, “Bella” explores love without closure. The lyrics focus on heartbreak, confusion, and the lingering feelings that remain after a relationship ends. Instead of anger, the song highlights vulnerability and honesty, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced unfinished love. Deep emotional attachment that refuses to fade In “Bella,” Aidan weaves together a story of deep emotional attachment that refuses to fade, even after a relationship has ended. The song captures that lingering sense of longing—where memories and feelings remain vivid despite time or distance. At the same time, there is a quiet but powerful sense of hope running through the track, as it imagines the possibility of reconnecting and finding love again in the future. This emotional narrative is further enriched by the song’s multilingual nature, where English, Maltese, and Italian blend seamlessly. The use of the word “Bella,” meaning “beautiful,” becomes both a symbol of affection and a central emotional thread, enhancing the song’s intimacy and universal appeal Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest Malta has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 36 times since its debut in 1971. The country’s best results came in 2002 and 2005, achieving second place with Ira Losco‘s “7th Wonder” and Chiara‘s “Angel,” respectively. The most recent success was in 2021, when Destiny‘s “Je me casse” was 7th, after she won her semifinal. The Bookmakers Malta currently stands at a respectable 14th place with the bookmakers—surely a place in the final is within reach. But could a top ten finish be next?  

Read More »
April 29, 2026 No Comments
© 2019 – 2026 Eurovision Universe / eurovisionuniverse.com

Maintained in cooperation with IT-M.art

Follow Us: