Vienna chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Vienna has been chosen to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

The capital was selected as Austria's host city following its Eurovision victory in 2025, where artist JJ won with his song Wasted Love in Basel, Switzerland.

The decision followed a bidding process in which officials evaluated different facilities and their capacity to host delegations, fans, and media.

It will be the third time Vienna has hosted the contest, putting it in joint fourth place among the song contest's most frequent hosts - alongside Copenhagen, Malmo, and Stockholm.

Only Dublin, London and Luxembourg City have hosted more of the events.

The 70th Eurovision final will take place at Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle arena on 16 May.

Austrian broadcaster ORF will host the event.

The director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, said: "The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is thrilled that Vienna has been selected as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

"Vienna's reputation as one of the most musical cities in the world, and its location in the heart of Europe, makes it the perfect host city for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest."

Mr Green said the city's "exceptional" Stadthalle was a great venue for the 60th contest in 2015, and organisers are looking forward to welcoming delegations, artists, and fans next May, "as the world's largest live music event celebrates 70 glorious years of being united by music".

"Together with host broadcaster ORF and the city of Vienna we will create a spectacular celebration of music that will reverberate across the world."

Vienna's City Hall will host the event's opening ceremony on 10 May, as well as EuroClub, the contest's pop-up, nightlife spot.

The square outside City Hall will serve as the Eurovision Village, an open-air screening area for the public.

The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, said: "In Vienna, we can be proud that our city has been selected by the EBU and ORF as the most suitable host city for one of the world's largest events.

"We placed great emphasis on offering numerous Eurovision Song Contest events in public spaces that can be visited free of charge.

"As the mayor of Vienna, it is very important to me that cultural events are accessible to everyone, regardless of the size of their wallet."

Further details, including information about tickets, will be released later this year.

At the 2025 Eurovision final, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael finished in second place after her team reported that she was left "shaken and upset" when pro-Palestinian protesters surged toward a barrier during her performance.

In response to the incident, Swiss police confirmed that two individuals were detained and subsequently released. The event organizer, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, said that a crew member was struck with paint but was unharmed.

(c) Sky News 2025: Vienna chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026