ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, has officially kicked off negotiations with the two candidate cities vying to host the forthcoming 2026 Eurovision edition in Austria: Innsbruck and Vienna.
Innsbruck and Vienna will be battling for the coveted role of welcoming the Eurovision Song Contest next year, when the competition travels to Austria along with all its glitz, glam and glitter.
ORF’s press release reads:
The cities of Innsbruck and Vienna submitted their application documents on time. Initial on-site inspections of the Olympiaworld Innsbruck and the Vienna Stadthalle followed. Both cities were then invited to refine their concepts and submit a final bid.
On this basis, ORF is now entering into in-depth discussions with both candidates. The decision on which city will be the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is expected to be announced in the second half of August.
ORF Director General Roland Weißmann says:
With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two very exciting and promising applications. Both cities offer good conditions and palpable enthusiasm for the ESC. We look forward to the next steps and to further discussions in the coming weeks.
Michael Krön, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 says:
I would like to thank the project teams from both cities for their comprehensive, plausible, and creative applications. Based on the documents, we will now begin negotiations and will take the time to discuss all relevant aspects in detail.
The deadline for Austrian cities and regions to apply for hosting the ESC 2026 concluded on Friday 4 July 2026. ORF is planning to unveil the ESC 2026 Host City by mid August.
Vienna is bidding to host ESC 2026 at the iconic Wiener Stadthalle which can accomodate 16,000 spectors whislt Innsbruck is bidding to host the event at the Olympia Halle with a capacity of 12,000 spectators.
