Vienna has been selected as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, after submitting its official bid on July 3, 2025.
Thousands of fans from around the world, along with more than 1,500 accredited media representatives, are expected to travel to Vienna for what is considered the world’s largest entertainment event. The first and second semifinals are scheduled for May 12 and May 14, respectively at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle. The Grand Final will take place on May 16.
The Austrian capital is known to have world-class infrastructure, extensive experience with major events and seamless accessibility. These attributes make Vienna uniquely qualified to once again host the beloved music event of Europe, having already delivered an acclaimed ESC in 2015.
Vienna hosts more than 6,000 congresses and corporate events every year and is no stranger to large-scale public gatherings, including global sports competitions and multi-day concerts. With over 82,000 hotel beds across 433 properties, the city is well-equipped to accommodate the thousands of artists, journalists, and fans expected in 2026. Public transport and airport connections are among the best in Europe—Vienna is reachable via direct flights from 195 cities in 65 countries and boasts the continent’s leading night train network.
What sets Vienna apart is not only its logistical strengths, but also its values. As a city committed to sustainability, Vienna can host the ESC without the need for new infrastructure. Its inclusive and future-oriented approach to hospitality has already earned high praise—79 percent of ESC media professionals rated the 2015 contest in Vienna as “better” or “much better” than previous editions, citing top marks in friendliness, accessibility, and audience atmosphere.
For more information, visit https://b2b.wien.info/en/
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