Crash, boom, bang… the Eurovision 2026 stage construction has kicked off in Vienna! We bring you the latest pictures from the ESC 2026 venue courtesy of ORF.
The first Eurovision 2026 rehearsals are set to kick off at the Wiener Stadthalle will be kicking off on 24 April.
ORF’s official press release reads:
The construction of the large-scale stage and its lighting is progressing. Up to 300 people are working simultaneously in the approximately 10,000-square-meter main hall (Hall D), the side halls, and other rooms. For the past few days, this work has even been taking place in ten-hour day and night shifts. The stage alone is around 2,000 square meters in size, and the entire structure is estimated to weigh 210 tons when completed.
The future shape and dimensions of the stage are already hinted at by the lighting racks prepared on the floor. They hang from countless chains that extend from the hall ceiling. 2,135 light fixtures and 8,500 individually controllable LEDs will provide the perfect lighting. In addition, there are countless TV monitors and LED walls that together cover the area of two basketball courts.
ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, has released fresh pictures of the Eurovision 2026 stage construction:
The Eurovision 2026 stage has been designed by Florian Wieder. Florian Wieder is an internationally acclaimed stage designer and was the man behind the Eurovision stages in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025.
The Green Room will be connected to the Eurovision stage via a walkway which will enable the winner to walk through the audience.
The Concept behind the stage
The Eurovision 2026 stage has been inspired by the Viennese Secession and features the leaf, the curved lie and the construct.
The EBU’s official press release reads:
The creative spirit of the Viennese Secession lies at the centre of the stage-design concept. And like that art movement once did, ORF’s production wants to deliberately break conventions and allow new forms. It’s about courage for renewal, openness to radical creativity and a new freedom of design.
Three design leitmotifs will convey this idea to viewers of Vienna 2026 in May:
The Leaf
A symbol of origin and potential, it stands for new beginnings and shared design. Diverse music from all over Europe is written on it.
The Curved Line
An expression of resonance, development and musical movement, it embodies connection, emotion and Viennese charm.
The Construct
A golden structure that connects art with functionality, it creates order, supports artistic vision and forms a deliberate contrast to the organic curved line.
In the connection of these elements, a stage design emerges that both preserves the DNA of the Eurovision Song Contest and breaks new creative ground.
The Green Room will be directly connected to the stage via a walkway – which, among other things, will enable a Winner’s Walk through the audience.
