The race to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is officially underway, and Vienna has thrown its hat into the ring with an ambitious pitch and a clear message to Europe: “Shall we dance?”
On Thursday, the Austrian capital announced that it has formally submitted its application to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation making its intentions clear to bring the world’s biggest music competition back to Vienna for the first time since 2015. Interested cities have until July 4 to submit their detailed proposals.
While the Eurovision’s overarching slogan has been “United by Music” in recent years, Vienna is adding its own twist with the tagline “Europe, shall we dance?”
“As a cultural metropolis that is firmly committed to climate neutrality, we want to make the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 a pioneering event that both excites and takes responsibility. With our application today, we are making a clear commitment: We want to bring the Song Contest to Vienna. Time and again, we have proven that Vienna is an open-minded city that welcomes visitors with open arms and offers them a wonderful stay.”
said Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) in a letter addressed to ORF Director General Roland Weißmann.
Vienna’s bid highlights its proven track record in hosting large-scale international events. The city boasts 82,000 beds in 41,000 rooms across 433 hotels, ensuring ample capacity for the tens of thousands of fans, journalists, and delegations that flock to Eurovision each year.
Connectivity is another key advantage: Vienna is reachable by direct flight from 195 destinations in 65 countries and is considered Europe’s best-connected railway city. Crucially, no major new infrastructure would need to be built to host the event, a sustainable plus in Vienna’s pitch.
The city’s confidence stems in part from its previous success in hosting Eurovision in 2015, following Conchita Wurst’s iconic win the year before. According to city officials, a post-event survey of accredited journalists showed that 79 percent rated the Vienna contest as “better” or “much better” than previous editions they had attended.
Vienna’s main rival appears to be Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital, which has also confirmed its bid to host the 2026 contest. Graz has already withdrawn due to anticipated costs, while a proposed joint bid from Linz and Wels fell through over technical requirements. The Burgenland city of Oberwart also dropped out, despite early enthusiasm.
The final decision on which Austrian city will welcome Eurovision fans in 2026 rests with ORF, which is keeping the details of the selection process under wraps for now. A decision is expected by mid-August. According to current plans, the Grand Final will take place on either May 16 or May 23, 2026.
Source: Vienna.at