Vienna wins Eurovision 2026: What does that mean for the province?

Vienna wins Eurovision 2026: What does that mean for the province?

On August 25, 2025 it will be official: Vienna will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. The decision, announced today, divided opinion in the media. While one side praises the capital's logistical advantages, the other sees Innsbruck as the most charming venue oe1.orf.at reported. The Tyrolean city, which has more than 130,000 inhabitants, is perceived as a “fun” place, which at first glance perhaps fits better with the cheerful atmosphere of the competition.

The discussion about the location of the competition also raises larger questions: What is the competitiveness of smaller cities compared to a giant like Vienna? Sibylla Zech, professor of regional planning and regional development at the TU Vienna, and Stefan Kutzenberger, writer and former city clerk, come into play. They discuss the need for small and medium-sized towns to be able to compete with larger cities and the importance of attracting people and supporting educational and cultural institutions.

The background to the decision

The choice of Vienna as the venue is no coincidence. The ORF has already signaled that organizational preparations should start as quickly as possible. ORF General Director Roland Weißmann reiterated that they are ready to take on the challenge that comes with the high costs and requirements for the event derStandard.at explained. “The ESC ultimately brings enormous advertising value and income for the local economy,” said Babler, who, as Minister of Culture and Vice Chancellor, underlined the positive significance of the event.

Vienna is applying with the claim “Europe, shall we dance?”, while Innsbruck has thrown “Together on Top” into the ring. The decision was announced at 8:15 a.m. - simultaneously on the ORF morning formats and on the European Broadcast Union's YouTube channel. A press conference follows in the afternoon, led by Mayor Michael Ludwig or Johannes Anzengruber from Innsbruck.

The challenges of the application

But what does it mean to be a host? The European broadcast criteria are strict and only a few places can meet them. An uncovered arena has already been ruled out, although it could technically offer enough space. The city has to create space for around 40 delegations, cloakrooms, commentary booths, lounges and a press center. In addition, security concepts and up to 3,500 free hotel rooms must be available.

Preparations are now in full swing and the anticipation is already palpable. The ORF is not only planning the upcoming live shows, but there will also be a large series of shows around the song contest. Artists are now called upon to apply to defend their title in the home song contest. The decision as to who will represent Austria will be made by a mix of expert jury and televoting, and the final selection will be presented to the TV audience at the end of February.

Overall, it shows that the decision in favor of Vienna is not just a matter of prestige, but also an opportunity to bring the Italian capital into the focus of international attention and to continue the long tradition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria.