With Austria’s victory at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, it is officially confirmed that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Austria. Today, the Austrian national broadcaster ORF launched the host city application process, inviting cities across the country to submit their bids. Most notably, the Grand Final is scheduled to take place on either May 16 or May 23, 2026.
Cities have until July 4 to apply
Interested Austrian cities and municipalities have until Friday, July 4, 2025, at 12:00 CEST, to submit their application documents electronically to ORF. The bidding process will determine which city will host one of the world’s most-watched music events next May.
Key requirements for hosting
To qualify, candidate cities must meet a set of strict criteria laid out by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), including:
A fully equipped venue with a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 people in the performance area
Exclusive availability of the venue for at least eight weeks (seven weeks prior to the final and one week after)
Excellent international transport links
Adequate hotel capacity in the region
Proven logistical, security, and sustainability capabilities
Two-stage selection process
The selection involves two phases:
Expression of Interest: Cities first submit a basic declaration of intent.
Formal Bid Submission: Once accepted, they will receive a detailed application pack. Cities that submit their interest early will get the final documents sooner.
ORF has clarified that cities failing to meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Moreover, ORF will not reveal the list of applicants during the process. The form to express interest is already available online.
As excitement builds, fans can now mark their calendars for May 16 or May 23, 2026, when Austria will once again welcome Europe for a night of unforgettable music and celebration.
Source: ORF
Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for the latest updates on Eurovision 2026 and Austria’s road to hosting the next edition of Europe’s favorite show!