Austria will host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May 2026, following JJ’s celebrated win at the 2025 edition in Basel. The Austrian public broadcaster ORF has confirmed that Vienna and Innsbruck are the two cities currently under consideration to stage the world’s largest music competition.
This was reported by G Business with reference to eurovision.tv.
On Monday, July 14, ORF officially entered advanced discussions with both cities. The bidding process closed on July 4, after which representatives visited both Vienna's Stadthalle and Olympiaworld in Innsbruck. These venues have now been invited to submit refined hosting proposals.
“Both Vienna and Innsbruck submitted strong, creative bids. They offer the infrastructure and spirit needed for an event of this scale,” said ORF Director General Roland Weißmann.
Michael Krön, Executive Producer of Eurovision 2026, added:
“We are entering a detailed negotiation phase. Every aspect will be carefully reviewed over the next few weeks.”
JJ’s Win Brings Eurovision Back to Austria
Singer JJ secured Austria’s third Eurovision victory with his opera-pop anthem Wasted Love during the 2025 contest in Switzerland. The emotional performance brought Austria back into the Eurovision spotlight, following previous wins by Udo Jürgens (1966) and Conchita Wurst (2014).
Conchita Wurst, a symbol of Eurovision unity and inclusivity, praised JJ’s win on social media, calling him “a powerful voice for a new generation.”
Final Decision Expected in August
The final decision on the host city will be announced in the second half of August 2025. Both candidates are now updating their bids based on feedback from ORF and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Vienna previously hosted Eurovision in 2015 after Conchita Wurst’s victory. Innsbruck, while less experienced with Eurovision-scale productions, is seen as a dynamic newcomer that could bring Alpine flair to the stage.
Austria and Eurovision: A Cultural Journey
Austria debuted at the contest in 1957. It took nearly a decade before Udo Jürgens won with Merci, Chérie in 1966. After decades of mixed results, Conchita Wurst stunned Europe in 2014 with Rise Like a Phoenix, sending a powerful message of diversity.
Now, with JJ’s victory, Austria once again stands center stage — this time with a decision to make: Alpine charm or capital grandeur?
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AI-generated illustration – not a real photograph, depicting a hypothetical Eurovision atmosphere in Innsbruck.