The City of Innsbruck has officially submitted its bid to host the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the slovan ‘Together on Top’.
Innsbruck is gearing up in full steam in its quest to host the forthcoming ESC edition in Austria. The City of Innsbruck has officially submitted its bid to host ESC 2026 with the iconic slogan ‘Together on Top‘.
The Mayor of Innbruck – Johannes Anzengruber says:
Our bid stands for openness, diversity, and a special sense of togetherness. At the same time, it was important to us to present a concept that is feasible, financially viable, and built on solid foundations,
Tyrol’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mario Gerber says:
We want to host an ESC that combines emotion, efficiency, and experience – as an international calling card from Tyrol for all of Europe.”
The City of Innsbruck’s official press release reads:
Innsbruck officially submitted its bid to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest to ORF on Friday morning. Under the motto “Together on Top,” the Tyrolean capital is positioning itself as a unique host for Europe’s largest music festival – with an Alpine stage, urban flair, and international event expertise.
Innsbruck is more than just a city – it’s a way of life, amidst mountains, music, and encounters. The only royal residence in the Alps combines a historic backdrop with a modern spirit and youthful energy. With Europe’s highest skyline, historic squares, and contemporary architecture, Innsbruck offers impressive images and emotional moments – an ESC with a view and a broad perspective.
Short distances and a compact city
Innsbruck is bididng to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 at the Olympia Halle with the Tivoli Stadium and the Small Ice Rink used for other side events. The Alpine city plans to build the Eurovision Village on the Landestheaterplatz in the heart of the city. All ESC venues and locations will be within walking distance.
The official press release contineus to read:
What elsewhere ends in long commutes begins within walking distance in Innsbruck. The central ESC location – the Olympiahalle Innsbruck , including existing sports and event venues such as the Tivoli Stadium and the Small Ice Rink – is just a 15-minute walk from the city center. The Eurovision Village is being built on Landestheaterplatz – right in the heart of the city, right next to the old town. In Innsbruck, not only is the event organized centrally – the entire city becomes a stage.
Innsbruck is ready to welcome the Eurovision bandwagon
Innsbruck is offering 23,000 accomodations and 34,000 beds whilst 2,000 volunteers are ready to welcome the Eurovision Song Contest.
Innsbruck’s official press release continues read:
Tyrol is Austria’s number one tourist destination – with around 23,000 accommodations and over 340,000 beds . More than 40 million people visit the region annually – a clear sign of hospitality, quality, and reliability. Over 2,000 experienced volunteers are ready to help shape the ESC – competent, welcoming, and multilingual.
Central, accessible, ready.
Innsbruck is both centrally located and within easy reach from Munich, Zurich and Milan and well connected by road, rail and airport.
The Olympiahalle is modern, eco friendly and efficient and only minimal adaptations are required to host the event.
The offiical press relase reads:
Innsbruck is located in the heart of Europe – perfectly connected by rail, road, and airport. Munich, Zurich, Milan: all major cities are within easy reach. The Olympiahalle boasts modern infrastructure and requires only minimal adaptations – ecologically sound, economically efficient, and emotionally familiar.
Celebrating 70 years of Eurovision and 50 years of Olympics.
Innsbruck plans to connect the 7Oth anniversary with the 50th anniversary of the Olympics in the city under the Eurovision motto ‘United by Music’.
The year 2026 marks two anniversaries: 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest and 50 years of the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck . A symbolic handover of the baton that connects past and future, sport and music, people and values – in keeping with the Eurovision motto “United by Music.”
Innsbruck is home to music
Innsbruck has great experience organizing music events and concerts and would be the perfect city to welcome the Eurovision Song Contest.
The official press release reads.
Innsbruck celebrates music – whether at the Bridge Beat Festival, Heart of Noise, the Innsbruck Promenade Concerts, the Easter Festival, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Klassik am Berg, or the Bogenfest, which recently attracted 40,000 visitors. The spectrum ranges from brass music to club culture, from the Wilten Boys’ Choir to the Gender Bender Festival. In 25 minutes, you can climb from the city center to 2,000 meters – a stage on all levels. Zaha Hadid meets Schwarze Mander, alpine pastures meet avant-garde, Eurovision Song Contest meets Innsbruck.
Innsbruck 2026: Together on Top
Innsbruck has submitted its official ESC 2026 hosting bid with the motto ‘Together on Top’ showcasing a Eurovision in the Alps promoting togetherness, the spirt of a united Europe.
Innbruck’s official press release reads:
Together with Europe, Innsbruck aspires to reach new heights as a cosmopolitan cultural city in the heart of the Alps – urban yet manageable , modern yet steeped in tradition , international yet accessible . “Together on Top” is more than a motto – it’s a promise: to create something great together, on equal terms, with vision, and in the spirit of a united Europe.
The deadline for Austrian cities and regions to officially apply to host ESC 2026 concluded today Friday 4 July. Only two cities have officially submitted bid to host ESC 2026: Innsbruck and Vienna.
ORF and the EBU are expected to unveil the name of the ESC 2026 Host City and the dates by mid August.
