Vienna once again designated as European Song Contest (ESC) hosting city - Vienna serves as the third location for the European Song Contest
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that Vienna, Austria, will once again play host to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. The Wiener Stadthalle, a venue that has previously hosted the contest in 2015, will be the location for this highly-anticipated event.
Venue Details
The Wiener Stadthalle, with a seating capacity of around 16,000 to 16,152 spectators, is well-equipped to accommodate the Eurovision Song Contest. The venue requires no additional construction, benefiting from Vienna’s excellent infrastructure, including over 80,000 hotel beds, extensive public transport, and an international airport connected to more than 65 countries.
The contest dates are set for the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May, and the final on 16 May 2026.
Key Event Locations
In addition to the Wiener Stadthalle, key event locations include the Rathausplatz (Vienna City Hall Square), which will host the Eurovision Village, featuring participant performances, screens for live shows, and events for the public. The Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) will also play a significant role, hosting the EuroClub with official after-parties, private performances, and the "Turquoise Carpet" event and opening ceremony on 10 May 2026.
A Successful Precedent
Vienna's previous hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 was considered a success, with 1.3 million overnight stays and positive feedback from the EBU. This positive feedback, along with Vienna’s proven ability to handle the event’s scale and prestige, played a significant role in Vienna’s successful bid for 2026.
A Familiar Stage
With familiar venues and infrastructure, Vienna is returning to the Eurovision stage with confidence. The three live shows will take place on May 12, 14, and 16, 2026, under the motto "Europe, shall we dance?". Vienna prevailed in an internal duel against Innsbruck for the hosting rights and is excited to welcome the world to Austria once more.
The news of Vienna hosting Eurovision Song Contest 2026 was announced on Ö3's "Wecker" and ORF's "Guten Morgen Österreich". However, the originally planned date of May 23 was vetoed due to the DFB-Pokal final. Regardless, the countdown to the grand event has officially begun!
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