Eurovision 2026 host city: Innsbruck or Vienna

Shortly after JJ's victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Austrian broadcaster ORF started the application process for host cities for next year's contest. Interested Austrian cities and municipalities could apply until 4 July 2025.

The only cities that submitted bids by the deadline were Innsbruck and Vienna.

Interested cities and municipalities must meet the criteria set by the EBU, which include a fully-equipped event hall with appropriate capacity and infrastructure, good international connections, sufficient accommodation in the region, as well as organizational, security and sustainable implementation competence of the host city.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck officially joined the race, presenting its bid on 4 July under the slogan “Together on Top."

The city is proposing Olympiahalle as the main venue.

The Eurovision Village is planned to be located in the old town of Landestheaterplatz.

Innsbruck’s concept is built around the idea of a compact, walkable event — its proposed venues are all located within a 15-minute walk from the city center and the historic old town.

Innsbruck boasts more than 340,000 beds across the whole Tyrol region, and plans to involve over 2,000 volunteers in the organization of the event. The city is placing emphasis on sustainability and cost-effectiveness, with a projected budget of around €17-19 million, and no major new infrastructure projects required.

Innsbruck also brings with it a legacy of hosting major international events, including two Winter Olympic Games.

Vienna

Vienna launched its official bid on 3 July with the slogan “Europe, shall we dance?”

The Austrian capital proposes to host the contest at the Wiener Stadthalle, the same venue that hosted Eurovision 2015.

With a seating capacity of around 16,000 and no need for additional construction, the venue is seen as a strong contender. Vienna is also highlighting its robust infrastructure, with over 80,000 hotel beds, extensive public transport, and an international airport offering connections to more than 65 countries.

The city points to the success of Eurovision 2015 as proof of its capability, noting the 1.3 million overnight stays during the event, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the European Broadcasting Union.

ORF General Director, Roland Weißmann, says:

– With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two very interesting applications. Fundamentally, both offer the appropriate conditions to host the world's largest TV entertainment event. We look forward to the next steps and further exchanges in the coming weeks.

Executive Producer of Eurovision 2026, Michael Krön, adds:

– I thank the project teams from both cities for their comprehensive and equally creative applications. Based on the documents, we are now starting negotiations and will take the time to discuss all relevant aspects in detail.

When will Eurovision 2026 be held?

Eurovision 2026 will be held in Austria in May. The dates have not been announced yet. The Eurovision week will have three shows: Semi-final 1 on Tuesday, Semi-final 2 on Thursday, and the Grand Final on Saturday.

The possible dates for Eurovision 2026 are:

Austrian broadcaster ORF has confirmed that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place on either 12 - 14 - 16 May 2026 or 19 - 21 - 23 May 2026.

What will happen next?

The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city will be made by Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) and the EBU (European Broadcasting Union). Further discussions will now take place with officials from both Innsbruck and Vienna.

The two cities will be scored on a set of criteria. Most importantly, the venue, which should accommodate at least 10,000 spectators and be available for six to eight weeks for preparations. The city should also have hotel accommodation for thousands of delegates, journalists, and spectators. A press center for 1,500 journalists at, or close to, the main venue is also mandatory.

The final announcement on the host city is expected on 20 August 2025.

Eurovision 2026 will mark Austria’s third time hosting the contest, following previous editions in 1967 and 2015.