Cosmó will sing for Austria – To Eurovision 2026 with "Tanzschein"
Austria's selection show was held tonight with 12 artists fighting for the throne. The Austrian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be Cosmó with the song "Tanzschein"
Austrian broadcaster ORF held Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? to select their artist and song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
We saw 12 acts perform their songs tonight, and the decision was in the hands of both the Austrian public and a 43-member international expert jury.
After the 12 performances, Cosmó was declared winner and will represent Austria on home soil at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Tanzschein".
"Tanzschein" was written by Benjamin Gedeon, Elias Stejskal, and Ella Stern.
Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?
Cosmó
Benjamin Gedeon is a 19-year-old pop artist from Burgenland, Austria. He began musical education at just four years old and started formal piano lessons at six. By his early teens, he was also taking vocal lessons. Around the age of 13, he began composing his own melodies and lyrics, experimenting with pop and jazz influences.
National exposure came through the German television competition The Voice Kids. After an early attempt in 2020, Benjamin returned in 2022 with greater confidence and artistic clarity. Under the mentorship of Spanish-German artist Alvaro Soler, he progressed all the way to the final.
In 2021, he won the Burgenland music competition podium.jazz.pop.rock… as best singer-songwriter with his original composition “Fall into Your Arms.” He performed at regional festivals, appeared on local radio, and even formed a live band.
He performs primarily in German and draws inspiration from contemporary pop and club culture.
His song "Tanzschein" was inspired by a personal experience in a nightclub and promotes the idea that dance floors should once again be spaces of energy and movement. The title translates to “dance ticket”.
Growing up, Cosmó followed Eurovision closely and has cited Austria’s recent winners, including Conchita Wurst and JJ, as inspirational figures.
Wer singt für Österreich?
Wer singt für Österreich? took place on Friday 20 February 2026 in ORF-Zentrum Küniglberg, Vienna and was hosted by Alice Tumler and Cesár Sampson. The result was determined by a combination of public voting and jury votes.
Austria in Eurovision
Austria has been participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 57 times since its debut in 1957.
They have won the contest three times:
- 1966: Udo Jürgens – "Merci Chérie"
- 2014: Conchita Wurst – "Rise Like a Phoenix"
- 2025: JJ – "Wasted Love"
They came in last eight times (zero points in 1962, 1988, 1991 and 2015).
Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Austria has qualified for the Grand Final 10 out of 17 times.
