Eurovision 2026: Vienna is preparing for a mega event!

Eurovision 2026: Vienna is preparing for a mega event!

It starts in 175 days: The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take the stage in Vienna. ORF recently published updates on the popular TV music show. In addition to the first visualizations of the postcards, which are intended to put the artists in a special light, there was also information about volunteers and the eagerly awaited preliminary round “Vienna Calling”. The anticipation for the 70th edition of the competition is already palpable and the details are taking shape, supported by comprehensive organization and creative commitment. Leadersnet reports.

A highlight will be the preliminary decision on February 20, 2026, in which the TV audience will have an active say. So far, more than 500 applications from all federal states have reached the jury. The entrances show the great interest of local artists. ORF is planning a multi-tier ticket system for the event so that fans can secure the coveted seats. The postcards, the artistically designed clips, are combined by Gebhardt Productions with studio recordings of the artists in various Austrian locations in order to present the diversity of the country.

Tourism impulse for Vienna

The economic expectations are considerable: a value creation of 52 million euros is forecast, with up to 88,000 additional visitors could flock to the city. Every euro invested by the state could generate overall economic value added of 1.70 euros. These figures confirm the assessment that the Eurovision Song Contest is also good business from an economic point of view. The advertising value for Vienna alone is estimated to be in the three-digit million range. The press highlighted the financial aspects.

The opening ceremony alone on May 10, 2026 will create a special setting, while the main events will take place on May 12, 14 and 16. The Wiener Stadthalle, with its capacity of 16,152 seats, will be the setting for the spectacular event, which was already a success in the capital in 2015. Vienna was chosen as the venue not only because it is the winning city of 2025, but also because of its proximity to airports and the suitability of the venues, according to ORF director Roland Weißmann.

Participants and challenges

At the moment, Israel's participation remains undetermined. The decision is expected to be made during the EBU general meeting on December 4th and 5th, 2025. This shows the importance of unity among participating countries, with several nations announcing that they will condition their own participation on decision-making about Israel. At the moment, a number of countries have already confirmed their participation in the competition: for example, Albania, Australia and Austria are among the 40 confirmed; an extensive list has been created in recent months. Wikipedia has summarized the participation rate.

Another important aspect is the commitment to sustainable implementation: ORF is aiming for double environmental certification, both as a “Green Event” and in the “Green Producing in Film and Television” category. This is supported by various measures, such as producing all songs with musical signs and providing subtitles and audio descriptions for an inclusive event.

With the Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna not only offers a spectacular event, but also a platform that builds bridges to cultures across borders. The city's preparations and commitment are promising and show that the event is entering a new, exciting era.