ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, has unveiled the Eurovision 2026 opening and interval acts for the three live shows.
ORF and Austria are all set to welcome the Europe and Australia to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in full steam under the motto ‘The Big Show! Austria, the World and 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest’ in order to celebrate the 70 glorious years of the ESC in the best of ways.
A grand line up of former Eurovision winners and acts will be having the grand honour of gracing the Eurovision 2026 stage during the opening and interval segments of the shows:
- JJ ( Austria 2025/ ESC Winner)
- Erika Vickman ( Finland 2025)
- Lordi (Finland 2006/ ESC Winner)
- Il Volo (Italy 2015)
- Go Jo (Australia 2025)
- Verka Serduchka (Eurovision 2007)
- Cesar Sampson ( Eurovision 2018)
First Semi-final
Opening Act
ORF’s press release reads:
The first semi-final will open with a journey through time, revealing that the history of this show also embodies “70 Years of Love”: a film depicting the life of a couple against the backdrop of the world’s biggest live music show. A 70-member choir will then kick off the first show with a tribute to “L’amour est bleu”—one of the greatest Eurovision hits of all time, which competed almost 60 years ago: at the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace.
Interval Act
ORF’s press release reads:
In a lighthearted interval act, Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, together with the “Milkshake Man” Go-Jo, last year’s Australian representative, explore the difference between Austria and Australia.
Second Semi-final
Opening and Interval Act
ORF’sl press release reads:
The Eurovision 2026 hosts will also open the second semi-final together. This time with a performance of the winning song from 2025, JJ’s “Wasted Love”—but expect a few surprises. JJ will then present a new song during the interval act of the second semi-final.
The Grand Final
Opening Act
ORF’s press release reads:
At the start of the Grand Final, the small paper boat that opened JJ’s performance in Basel is accidentally left behind in Switzerland – and must find its way to Vienna via the Rhine, the Danube, and almost the entire Eastern Alps, where it finally arrives on stage in time for the spectacular opening. In the opening act, “The Queen of the Night,” JJ will then not only demonstrate his talent for reaching the highest notes, but also his ability to effortlessly and playfully weave together Mozart and his own music.
More than 40 dancers and performers will accompany JJ’s opening number, which also includes last year’s winning song, “Wasted Love.” At the same time, the 25 finalists will enter the Vienna Stadthalle. The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra plays a very special role, having recorded the music for the opening and many other show acts. The musicians of the RSO will also be on stage for the final.
Interval Act
ORF’s official press release reads:
The interval, during which all of Europe – and the world – votes for their favorite song and the audience eagerly awaits the results, will be enhanced by three top-class interval acts: In “Celebration!”, all-stars of the Eurovision Song Contest stage will celebrate by presenting the most important songs from the competition’s history in brand-new versions – as the highlight of the party for the show’s 70th anniversary. Among them are Verka Serduchka from Ukraine, Erika Vikman from Finland, Lordi from Finland, and the Italian trio Il Volo , who took third place in Vienna in 2015.
Austrian electro-swing icon Parov Stelar will then bring not only his unmistakable sound to the hall, but also impressive visuals. A tribute to Billy Joel’s “Vienna” in a soul version by Cesár Sampson will then form the transition to the exciting finale: the voting by the jury and the audience.
Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz ( ORF Progam Director) says:
It’s wonderful to see how initial ideas and creative brainstorming sessions are now developing into concrete show elements for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, and how everything is gradually taking shape. I’m looking forward to a grand celebration for the 70th anniversary, all under the motto ‘The Big Show!’ I promise a fantastic celebration for Austria, Europe, and the whole world.
Ingrid Thurnher (Interim General Director ORF) says:
I am delighted that preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest are completely on schedule just before the move to the Vienna Stadthalle and that we have now been able to present our show elements. I am convinced that we will bring nine extraordinary shows – including three live TV shows – to the stage and thus more than do justice to the 70th anniversary of the world’s biggest TV entertainment event.
Michael Krön (Eurovision 2026 Executive Producer) says:
At the Head of Delegation meeting at the beginning of this week, we presented the current state of preparations to all participating nations. I am pleased that we had so many satisfied faces in the room and that our plans were very well received. This also applies to our new mascot Auri, who will carry the warmth and openness of the ESC to Vienna and out into the world.
