As preparations for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026 are in full swing, let’s delve into the ESC history books and find out how many cities have hosted the coveted contest? In circa a month ORF will be unveiling the ESC 2026 host city. Will we have a new city hosting the event and charming us or will a former host city host the event again and entice us with its magic?

Next year marks the 70th edition of our beloved song contest, 46 different cities have hosted the event, with Dublin having hosted the competition a total of 6 times a record it retains, followed by London and Luxembourg whom have hosted the event four times each.

The United Kingdom retains the record of having hosted the competition the most times, a whopping 9 times (1960, 1963,1968, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1998, 2023).

Austria will have the grand honour of welcoming the Eurovision bandwagon with all its glitz, glitter and glam for the third time in the history of the ESC.

The story so far….

Oh, Europe! Land of rich history, diverse cultures, and, of course, the most fabulous music extravaganza the world has ever known: the Eurovision Song Contest! Since its humble beginnings in 1956, this annual spectacle has hopped, skipped, and jumped across the continent, transforming city after city into a vibrant hub of music, glitter, and pure, unadulterated joy. But just how many lucky locales have had the honour of hosting this iconic competition? Let’s take a dazzling dive into the geographical history of Eurovision!

From the very first contest in Lugano, Switzerland, to the last Eurovision spectacle in Basel in 2025, Eurovision has graced the stages of 46 different cities! That’s right, almost five dozen unique urban landscapes have welcomed the Eurovision family, each adding their own flavour and flair to the beloved contest. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the show, proving that no matter where it lands, the Eurovision spirit thrives!

Some cities have become repeat offenders, so to speak, embracing the chance to host the continent’s biggest party multiple times. Dublin, Ireland, holds the glittering crown for hosting the most Eurovision Song Contests, with a remarkable six editions under its belt. The Irish capital truly knows how to throw a Eurovision bash! London, UK, and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, are also seasoned hosts, having welcomed the contest four times each, showcasing their unwavering dedication to the grand show.

But it’s not just the bustling capitals that get all the glory! Eurovision has a wonderful habit of shining a spotlight on lesser-known gems, turning them into household names (at least for a week!). Who could forget the charming Irish town of Millstreet, which defied expectations to host in 1993? Or the picturesque Harrogate in the UK, which welcomed the contest in 1982? These unexpected choices only add to the magic, demonstrating that any city with enough heart (and a suitable venue!) can become a Eurovision legend.

Each host city brings its own unique character to the contest. We’ve seen grand opera houses transformed into pop palaces, sports arenas turned into theatrical wonders, and convention centres buzzing with the energy of thousands of fans. The architecture, the cultural references in the postcards, the very atmosphere of the city – all become an integral part of that year’s Eurovision story, creating unforgettable memories for millions of viewers.

The logistics of hosting Eurovision are immense, a true feat of engineering and entertainment. Imagine the planning involved in housing thousands of delegates, journalists, and fans, not to mention designing a stage that will captivate a global audience! Yet, year after year, cities rise to the challenge, eager to showcase their hospitality and leave their indelible mark on the Eurovision tapestry. It’s a badge of honour, a symbol of their ability to bring people together through the power of music.

As we look back on the incredible journey of the Eurovision Song Contest, it’s clear that its spirit of unity and celebration is truly infectious. Each new host city, whether a bustling metropolis or a charming town, contributes to the ongoing narrative of this beloved competition. So, let’s raise a glass (or two!) to all the cities that have opened their arms to Eurovision, and to the many more that are yet to come!

And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Get ready to travel through time and geography with our comprehensive list of every city that has had the honour of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest:

City (Country) Times Hosted Years Hosted
Dublin (Ireland) 6 1971, 1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997
London (United Kingdom) 4 1960, 1963, 1968, 1977
Luxembourg City (Luxembourg) 4 1962, 1966, 1973, 1984
Stockholm (Sweden) 3 1975, 2000, 2016
Copenhagen (Denmark) 3 1964, 2001, 2014
Malmö (Sweden) 3 1992, 2013, 2024
Vienna (Austria) 2 1967, 2015
Cannes (France) 2 1959, 1961
Hilversum (Netherlands) 1 1958
The Hague (Netherlands) 2 1976, 1980
Oslo (Norway) 2 1996, 2010
Jerusalem (Israel) 2 1979, 1999
Kyiv (Ukraine) 2 2005, 2017
Rome (Italy) 1 1991
Lugano (Switzerland) 1 1956
Frankfurt (Germany) 1 1957
Naples (Italy) 1 1965
Madrid (Spain) 1 1969
Amsterdam (Netherlands) 1 1970
Edinburgh (United Kingdom) 1 1972
Brighton (United Kingdom) 1 1974
Paris (France) 1 1978
Harrogate (United Kingdom) 1 1982
Munich (Germany) 1 1983
Gothenburg (Sweden) 1 1985
Bergen (Norway) 1 1986
Brussels (Belgium) 1 1987
Lausanne (Switzerland) 1 1989
Zagreb (Yugoslavia) 1 1990
Millstreet (Ireland) 1 1993
Birmingham (United Kingdom) 1 1998
Tallinn (Estonia) 1 2002
Riga (Latvia) 1 2003
Istanbul (Turkey) 1 2004
Athens (Greece) 1 2006
Helsinki (Finland) 1 2007
Belgrade (Serbia) 1 2008
Moscow (Russia) 1 2009
Düsseldorf (Germany) 1 2011
Baku (Azerbaijan) 1 2012
Lisbon (Portugal) 1 2018
Tel Aviv (Israel) 1 2019
Rotterdam (Netherlands) 1 2021
Turin (Italy) 1 2022
Liverpool (United Kingdom) 1 2023
Basel (Switzerland) 1 2025

ORF and the EBU are set to unveil the 2026 ESC Host City by mid August. Innsrbruck and Vienna are in a two horse race int their quest to host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Austria next year. Will Innsbruck join the list of the ESC host cities and become the 47th city to host the contest?

 


Sanjay (Sergio) joined esctoday.com in December 2006 as an editor. He was appointed as the Head of Press of ESCToday.com in 2011. Hereafter in 2016 he was promoted as the Head of International Relations & Communications at ESCToday. Sergio has covered the Eurovision Song Contest live 23 times since 2000, having worked for several international magazines and media outlets.