Sunday opening during Eurovision? Vienna is planning a big shopping rush!

Sunday opening during Eurovision? Vienna is planning a big shopping rush!

The year 2026 will be a very special one in Vienna, as the Eurovision Song Contest, the 70th edition of this European music festival, will take place in the Wiener Stadthalle. The event is scheduled for May 12-16, with the semifinals on May 12 and 14 and the final on May 16. Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, sees this as a great opportunity to stimulate retail and has therefore advocated temporary Sunday openings. “We have to use the opportunity to attract international tourists to Vienna and offer them an unforgettable experience,” emphasizes Ruck. The crown reports on the divided opinion of the Viennese population on this topic, with many actually wanting it to be open on Sundays.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has the motto “Chameleon Heart”, which is marked by a new logo. The total cost of the event is estimated at around 36 million euros, with part provided by the City of Vienna and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The EBU will organize the competition, while ORF will manage the production, supported by an experienced team that already worked in Vienna in 2015. Wikipedia informed that the public opening ceremony with the “Turquoise Carpet” is also planned for May 10, 2026.

Economic advantages through Sunday opening

Bettina Emmerling, deputy mayor and NEOS politician, supports the idea of ​​opening on Sundays to enable visitors to the Eurovision Song Contest to shop. It highlights the economic benefits that could arise from the arrival of tens of thousands of international guests. “We have to ensure that Vienna remains attractive as a shopping city,” said Emmerling. The contest falls on a long weekend, which would likely result in closed trading days during this period. Cosmo speculates that an agreement with the SPÖ on flexible opening times and the approval of the social partners is being sought.

The aim is to expand the trade margin for restaurants and retailers and thus create an additional stimulus for the economy. This could prove to be extremely lucrative, especially considering that guests can be offered a huge selection of Viennese delicacies and products.

Although discussions about Sunday opening are still ongoing in Vienna, surveys show that a majority of the population supports shops being open on Sundays. The future development remains exciting and it remains to be seen whether Vienna can establish itself as a pioneer with regard to modern retail opening times with this step.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is not only a musical highlight, but will also demonstrate Vienna's potential as a cultural hotspot while stimulating economic recovery. It remains to be seen how the discussions surrounding the Sunday opening will develop, but the signs are good for a successful contest next year.