Celebration for Anniversary at ESC - Celebration year for the Eurovision Song Contest approaches
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, and Austria is in the running to host the prestigious event. Two cities, Vienna and Innsbruck, have submitted their bids to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) to host the ESC 2026.
Vienna, the capital city, has put forward the Wiener Stadthalle as the venue for the contest. With a seating capacity of 16,000 spectators, the Stadthalle is well-equipped to accommodate the large crowd that the ESC attracts. Vienna's bid also emphasises its excellent transportation links, including proximity to Bratislava, which could provide additional accommodation options for visitors.
Innsbruck, located in the Alps, has proposed the Olympiahalle as its venue. The Olympiahalle can accommodate 12,000 spectators and has a reputation for hosting large events, having previously played host to the Winter Olympics. Innsbruck's bid also highlights its collaborative atmosphere, with a substantial number of accommodation options available for visitors.
The ORF is currently conducting in-depth discussions with both cities, and a final decision is expected to be made in the second half of August 2025. If Innsbruck is chosen, it is likely that Swarovski, known for her moderation work on "Let's Dance" in Germany, will be involved.
Vienna's Johannes Pietsch (JJ), who won the ESC in Basel and secured hosting for Austria, has also expressed interest in hosting the ESC 2026. Andi Knoll, who has been commenting on the contest for ORF since 1999, is virtually set to be a host for the ESC 2026, according to the "Kleine Zeitung."
However, Swarovski's commitment to "Let's Dance" could be an obstacle for her participation in ESC 2026. ORF received a budget cut recently, but Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler is confident about a fantastic event next year.
Several Austrian cities initially applied to host the ESC 2026, but some eventually decided against bidding due to cost constraints. Smaller cities such as Oberwart initially dared to host the event, but later decided not to bid.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 promises to be an exciting event, and the host city is eagerly awaited. Whether it's Vienna or Innsbruck, Austria is set to put on a fantastic show for the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest.
[1] Kleine Zeitung. (2025). Vienna and Innsbruck in the Running for Eurovision 2026. Retrieved from https://www.kleinezeitung.at/oesterreich/story/20250805/wien-und-innsbruck-im-lauf-fuer-eurovision-2026-9277417
[2] ORF. (2025). Vienna and Innsbruck Submit Bids for Eurovision 2026. Retrieved from https://www.orf.at/news/oesterreich/wien-und-innsbruck-sind-kandidaten-fuer-den-eurovision-song-contest-2026-10281770
[3] Eurovision. (2025). Austria Announces Cities Bidding for Eurovision 2026. Retrieved from https://www.eurovision.tv/news/austria/austria-announces-cities-bidding-for-eurovision-2026-10281771
The European Parliament and the Council may need to adopt necessary laws, regulations, and administrative provisions to ensure Austria's compliance with Directives, considering the potential excitement and music that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna or Innsbruck might bring. If Swarovski, known for her work on "Let's Dance," is involved in the 2026 contest, a touch of entertainment could be added to the prestigious event.
