The ambitious vision for Ebreichsdorf to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 has officially come to an end, as Comer City, the driving force behind the bid, has announced its withdrawal from the process.
In statements to OE24, Comer City’s Managing Director Siegmund Kahlbacher confirmed that the bid will not progress to the next stage of the selection process, putting a final stop to the high hopes that had been built up for the region. Despite the strong financial backing of Irish real estate billionaire Luke Comer, bureaucracy and tight deadlines proved insurmountable obstacles.
Located about 20 kilometers from Vienna International Airport, Comer City had presented an impressive plan that included a temporary concert venue with a capacity of 20,000 spectators, specially designed areas for public viewing of up to 30,000 people, and a fully equipped press center for 1,500 media representatives from across Europe. The goal was to transform Ebreichsdorf into a dynamic new “music mecca,” promoting local development and putting the region firmly on the European map for major events.
“The former Magna Racino, now Comer City, would have been the ideal venue for Eurovision,” Luke Comer had stated, while Kahlbacher had described the project as the biggest development opportunity for the area, combining entertainment, tourism, and new infrastructure.
However, the reality of hosting such a large-scale event turned out to be more complex than the initial vision. According to the public broadcaster ORF’s regulations, only municipalities are entitled to submit an official bid — automatically excluding Comer City’s private investment. Despite having all guarantees in place, the process required decisions and approvals from the local council, and the timeframe simply wasn’t sufficient.
“The bid was essentially ready, but the official submission could only be made by the Municipality of Ebreichsdorf. Unfortunately, the timeframe for the necessary decisions was extremely tight,” Kahlbacher explained, expressing his regret but also his willingness to support future initiatives.
From the start, Ebreichsdorf’s chances were considered slim, as larger cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, and St. Pölten are strong contenders with robust infrastructure and favorable conditions for hosting Europe’s biggest music event. Innsbruck has already secured the “green light” to continue its candidacy, while Austria’s other cities are entering the final stretch of the selection process.
Source: OE24