Welcome to Austria. Servus in Wien. In the heart of Europe United by Music. Vienna will host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, celebrating seven decades of music, culture, and European unity. The aim is to deliver a Eurovision Song Contest that is welcoming, innovative, sustainable, and deeply connected to the spirit of Europe. Vienna – the heart of Europe – will showcase a merge of tradition and innovation in an open, safe and welcoming city of culture and music.

Located in the heart of Europe, Vienna combines history and modernity, cultural tradition, and economic innovation. Linguistic, social, and cultural diversity are the main pillars of this livable, cosmopolitan, and safe city.

Vienna is world-famous for its cultural richness. Historic jewels such as Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere allow guests to immerse themselves deeply in the city’s history and walk in the footsteps of Empress Sisi. At the same time, Vienna is a city of nature. With huge parks and green spaces such as the Prater or Photo: © WienTourismus/Christian Stemper the Danube Island, Vienna offers relaxation and respite from the hectic everyday life. The rich offerings of cozy wine taverns, the world-famous coffee house culture, and a plethora of urban pubs and bars testify to the Viennese coziness. As a hospitable and vibrant cultural metropolis, the city offers the best conditions for a great and unforgettable Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Welcome to Vienna!

From today, you’ll be seeing the Eurovision Song Contest exude a fresh glow, as we debut our stylish new look to coincide with 70 years of the Contest.

In 2026, the Eurovision Song Contest is celebrating a whopping seven decades of being United by Music. It’s a milestone worth celebrating; 70 years of telling every Fairytale via a memorable Refrain. And thanks to JJ’s victory at Basel 2025 with Wasted Love, the momentous occasion will be taking place in Austria next year. 

Ahead of the 2026 Contest, we plan on shining a spotlight over our past, celebrating our present, and looking forward to our future. We’re going to be marking 70 years in true Eurovision style, and here’s where it starts: with the debut of our colourful new look.

The Eurovision logo that you’ve seen represent the Contest for over 20 years now has been refreshed from the iconic hand-drawn script that was launched in 2004 and refined in 2014. Now, it’s been simplified into a single, unique marque, with one familiar element at its centre: that unmistakable Eurovision heart which is now beating louder than ever.

Paired with the fresh logo is a new standalone icon: the ‘Chameleon Heart’. The Eurovision Song Contest’s emotional compass, this heart is going to be able to absorb cultural influences, music and movement. It will also be able to adapt to reflect the host nation’s identity, a performer’s individuality, or a particular theme. But regardless of its guise, the Eurovision Song Contest will always be emanating from the heart’s core. 

You’ll be seeing a lot more of this 3D heart, as well as its versatility and vibrance, in the build up to the 70th edition of the world’s largest live music event in Austria next year. Your first glimpse of it comes now, via the unveiling of our 70th icon. 

The ‘70th’ heart manages to incorporate 70 layers; one for every year of the Eurovision Song Contest. Each layer represents one year of bringing song, sparkle and unforgettable moments to audiences across Europe and now the world. 

Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “The Eurovision Song Contest has always been about evolution – musical, cultural, and creative. This refresh honours 70 amazing years while taking the brand forward to an exciting future. It’s bold, playful, and full of heart – just like the Contest itself. We’re so proud to unveil it to the world. Our new logo and look have been designed to make the ESC brand clearer on digital platforms, bring our family of projects all into one space, and protect the brand globally for EBU Members as the Contest continues to attract new audiences across the world. You’ll start to see more of our new brand identity as we head towards the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and there’ll be more surprises, and details on all the activities celebrating 70 years of being United by Music, coming in the months ahead.”

A new look for the Eurovision Song Contest

A History of Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest. Ahead of our visit to Austria in 2026, we take a journey (by boat, naturally) through the history of our reigning Eurovision champions.

At Basel 2025, Austrian viewers got to mark the tenth anniversary of Vienna 2015 in a very special way – by winning the Contest once again and inviting Eurovision back to Austria for a third time. 

A score of 436 points saw to it that JJ got to lift the Eurovision trophy for Austria after audiences were captivated by his song Wasted Love. With a performance that pushed boundaries and a vocal delivery that still managed to take centre stage, JJ’s win in Basel is already one for the history books. And so we’re opening up those books now – on the chapter devoted to Austria!

Reflection. When the very first Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast in 1956, Austria may have been missing from the lineup of participants, but they were an early trailblazer in broadcasting the show regardless. The inaugural event made enough of an impact on ORF to ensure that Austria wouldn’t be missing out on all the fun for a second-year running; the broadcaster made its debut at the 1957 Contest, with Wohin, Kleines Pony? performed by Bob Martin. 

Austria’s Eurovision enthusiasm was such that it couldn’t be deterred by Bob’s ‘Pony’ trotting in last to give the country a bottom-of-the-table result on its debut. ORF was then rewarded with a Top 5 finish on its second attempt in 1958, thanks to Liane Augustin impressing voters with Die Ganze Welt Braucht Liebe.

Austria has since gone on to land inside the Top 5 on 8 more occasions, including three Contest wins. And while the country is still climbing the league table of Eurovision Song Contest victories, it’s got a record-breaking haul of trophies from Eurovision Young Musicians. Austria has scored 6 wins at the EBU competition, with the country being able to boast that is is currently the reigning champ of both Eurovision Young Musicians and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Shine. Arguably the most iconic moment in Austria’s 57-contest history is one that has also ended up as being one of the most recognisable in the Eurovision Song Contest’s own 70-year history – its win in 2014 with Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst. It was a special moment at the time, but in the decade since Conchita’s victory, her Eurovision success is looked back upon as a defining cultural moment; one which has long transcended the Contest itself.  

Regularly cited by Eurovision fans, casual viewers and even many Eurovision participants as one of their favourite songs from the Contest, Conchita’s win has ensured that Austria will always be a footnote in any write-up of the Eurovision Song Contest’s history that’s worth reading. And indeed the star’s own stellar appearance – which inspired countless column inches back in 2014 – has seen to it that Conchita’s face will usually be included in the accompanying imagery of any such write-up! 

Conchita Wurst is joined in the pantheon of Austrian winners by not only JJ, but the ‘Österreich OG’ Udo Jürgens, who gave his country its first Eurovision victory in 1966, with Merci, Chérie. Despite its French title, it was actually the first German-language song to win the Eurovision Song Contest; with only one more winner joining those ranks since (Germany’s own Ein bißchen Frieden by Nicole, in 1982). 

His victory in Luxembourg was Udo’s third consecutive attempt at bringing a first Eurovision victory home to Austria, though he’d already given his country a couple of impressive results in the process; 6th place with Warum Nur, Warum? in 1964 and 4th place one year later in 1965, with Sag Ihr, Ich Lass Sie Grüßen. 

Udo went on to sell over 100 million records thoughout his career. The legend even joins ABBA in the list of Eurovision winners who have had a jukebox musical produced using their songs; Ich War Noch Niemals in New York opened in Germany in 2007.

Merci, Chérie ended up being Austria’s only medal-table finish of the 20th century, but the country’s fortunes have improved in modern times, with Austria now laying claim to a bronze-medal result, as well as its three golds. 

At Lisbon 2018, Eurovision audiences were introduced to Cesár Sampson performing his song Nobody But You. Winning the jury vote of the Grand Final, before being overtaken by Israel’s Toy and Cyprus’ Fuego once the public-vote points were revealed, Nobody But You ended the night in 3rd place with 342 points; Austria’s highest ever score at that time. 

Picking up 9 sets of 12 points, 6 sets of 10 and 7 sets of 6, it remains what will have been one of the most exciting Grand Finals for Austrian viewers as they watched the red, white and red flag storm its way to the top of the scoreboard once again. 

We Will Rave. Since its victory with Rise Like A Phoenix a little over 10 years ago, Austria hasn’t been afraid to let its hair down and inject a little bit of fun into proceedings; be that the Eurovision Song Contest itself or the Eurovision parties that happen all year round.

In the past decade, the country has gifted the Contest and its community a plethora of party-starters that are now considered all-time greats of that genre. 

In 2016, Stockholm had a little more sparkle added to it thanks to Loin d’Ici, performed by Zoë. It was the first (and to date only) time Austria had sent a song performed in French to represent them. Super cute, super catchy and super charismatic, it’s still a firm fan fave to this day – ‘ici, là et partout’!

The cries of “open the clubs” in 2020 were heard nowhere more clearly than in Austria. A three-year run at the start of the decade has seen the Contest pumped with beats, kicking off with one of the most renowned DJs and producers across the globe – LUM!X. 

The Austrian-Italian talent took vocalist Pia Maria to Turin in 2022 with Halo, a song which is his highest charting single to date in Austria.

One year later and it was the turn of Teya & Salena to get Europe on its feet with Who The Hell Is Edgar?; a song that brought the 19th-century poet Edgar Allan Poe to the forefront of viewers’ minds once more, while also encouraging them to ponder the struggles that female songwriters face in the music industry today. All set to a revved-up beat, of course.

And with Austria going from opening the Grand Final of Liverpool 2023 to closing the Grand Final of Malmö 2024, there was no better punctuation point to the party than Kaleen’s We Will Rave. Club-classic choreo meets serving-stunt synths, ‘we rum-de-dum-dum-da’ we will never forget the impact that Austria’s entry had on the EuroClub dancefloor that year. And this year. We’d hazard a guess at next year, too. 

Du Hast Mich So Fasziniert. In 1977, Austria sent the delightful Schmetterlinge to the Wembley Conference Centre in London, where they would perform Boom Boom Boomerang. And if you thought that sounded like a parody of a Eurovision song title, you’d actually be correct in this case.

The group presented Europe with a satirical swipe at the music industry, complete with puppet masks depicting cigar-smoking bigwigs and a catchy intro that went “music is love for you and me, music is money for the record company”. 

The Eurovision Song Contest caught a few strays in the firing line too, however, with the choreography seemingly mocking that of the previous year’s winner (Save Your Kisses For Me by Brotherhood of Man) and its chorus lampooning the lyrics of the winning song one year prior to that (Ding-a-Dong by Teach In). “Kangaroo, Boogaloo, Didgeridoo. Ding dong, sing the song, hear the guitar twang”; pure poetry.

The juries responded by awarding the song 11 points, placing Austria 17th in a field of 18. But the group forever cemented themselves a spot in henceforth every documentary or highlights show that was to be made about the Eurovision Song Contest. No ‘silly section’ is complete without that outfit reveal. 

Fast-forward over a quarter of a century and remove juries from the equation and Austria found itself getting a much warmer reception to its satirical efforts. Comedian Alf Poier got to represent his country at Riga 2003 with Weil Der Mensch Zählt. His performance raised eyebrows (not to mention a few questions), but it evidently managed to raise spirits across the continent too; voters awarded Alf with 101 points (at the time Austria’s all-time highest score) and a 6th-place finish. 

It was the country’s highest placing on the scoreboard since 1989 and it has only been topped three times since. So you can understand Austria’s enthusiasm in sending the equally thought-provoking Woki Mit Deim Popo in 2012. Alas, the beat-heavy rap banger by Trackshittaz ended up being a little overlooked in Baku, giving Austria its first (and to date only) last-place result in a Semi Final. 

Du Bist Musik. Austria’s 57-Contest history has been peppered with plenty of fan-fave moments that are fondly remembered today. 

Thomas Forstner’s rendition of Nur Ein Lied remains just as iconic for its Top 5 result as it does for its visual presentation; arguably nothing timestamps Lausanne 1989 quite like Thomas’ hair and lilac suit pairing. 

Earlier that decade, the wonderfully named Mess gave an enthusiastic performance of Sonntag at Harrogate 1982, with the bright eyed and even brighter fashioned duo giving Austria a 9th-place finish. More musical-theatre magic followed from Austria just one year later, via the appropriately titled Westend and their song Hurricane, which landed the country another 9th-place result at Munich 1983.

At the turn of the century, pepped-up pop with soul was a mainstay in the charts across Europe, and Austria ensured that this was frequently represented on the Eurovision Song Contest stage.

Between the gospel hand-claps of Weil’s Dr Guat Got (George Nussbaumer, Oslo 1996), the crushed-velvet vision of One Step (Bettina Soriat, Dublin 1997), the radio-ready Reflection (Bobbie Singer, Jerusalem 1999) and the Motown-inspired All To You (The Rounder Girls, Stockholm 2000), Austria was dedicated to serving Saturday-night viewers the up-tempo crowd pleasers.

With the Core Team already in place for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, it’s over to Austrian broadcaster ORF to write the next chapter in the country’s Eurovision history. 

The Host City and the event date for Austria 2026 will be announced in August. To ensure you’re kept in the loop with everything leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest next year, you can follow us all across our social media platforms.

The host broadcaster core team: Oliver Lingens (Head of Event), Iris Keutter (Head of Marketing & Commercial), Roman Horacek (Head of Communications), Daniel Hack (Head of Production), Anja Lenhart (Executive Assistant), Mischa Zickler (Head of Show), Michael Krön (Executive Producer), Claudio Bortoli (Technical Supervisor), Christina Lassnig (Executive Assistant), Alexandra Fida (Commercial Management), Christina Heinzle-Conrad (Secretary General), Martin Szerencsi (always busy as a Deputy EP & Legal Advisor – no time for photo calls).

Contest & Show.

History of the Eurovision Song Contest. Over the decades, the Eurovision Song Contest has grown into the world’s largest and most-watched music events. Originally starting with just seven countries, the contest now features over 35 nations annually, including countries utside Europe such as Australia.

The Eurovision Song Contest was created in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a way to unite European countries through music and to expand the boundaries of technology by simultaneously broadcasting live in multiple nations.

The format has evolved to include SemiFinals, televoting, and jury voting. Eurovision has launched the careers of numerous artists, including ABBA (Sweden 1974), Céline Dion (Switzerland 1988), and Loreen (Sweden 2012, 2023).

70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest. Good Evening, Europe! It all started in 1955, when the Eurovision Song Contest was created by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a way to unite European countries through music and to expand the boundaries of technology by broadcasting live in multiple nations. Inspired by the Italian Sanremo Music Festival, the inaugural contest took place on 24 May 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland.

Over the decades, the Eurovision Song Contest has grown into one of the world’s largest and most watched music events. Originally starting with just seven countries, the Contest now features over 35 nations annually, including countries outside Europe such as Australia (which premiered at the 60th edition in Vienna). A Grand Final, two Semi-Finals, televoting, and jury voting, ensure a dynamic and engaging competition. The Eurovision Song Contest has helped numerous artists make their international breakthrough, including Udo Jürgens (Austria 1966), Vicky Leandros (Luxembourg 1972), ABBA (Sweden 1974), Céline Dion (Switzerland 1988), Loreen (Sweden 2012, 2023) or Måneskin (Italy 2021). Since 2023, the Contest has a permanent slogan, United by Music. This motto also highlights the 70th birthday of the Eurovision Song Contest – hosted by the Austrian Broadcaster ORF for the third time. After JJ’s stunning victory in Basel 2025, the Eurovision Song Contest in the Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, will celebrate music, unity, and creativity.

Austria at Eurovision. Austria enjoys a worldwide reputation as a country of music where classical, traditional, and modern styles harmoniously blend together. The Alpine republic has long been connected with the Eurovision Song Contest, contributing plenty of memorable songs, some truly dazzling moments, and a plethora of emotional performances on the stage.

In 1957, a year after the first edition in Lugano, Austria stepped onto the stage of what is now the world’s largest live music event. It didn’t take long for the talented chanson singer, Udo Jürgens, to triumph for his home country after achieving sixth and fourth place, he enchanted the whole of Europe with the soulful ballad Merci, Chérie in 1966, marking Austria’s first victory. Stars such as Karel Gott and Marianne Mendt performed on the grand stage, as well as Milestones with Falter im Wind (1974) and Waterloo & Robinson with My Little World (1976)– each achieving fifth place.

During a phase when Austria was sometimes languishing at the lower end of the scoreboard, Conchita Wurst stepped into the spotlight. Tom Neuwirth’s artistic persona triumphed on an impressive scale at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the powerful song Rise Like A Phoenix. The victory of the bearded drag artist made a strong statement for diversity, tolerance, and freedom, and forever changed the music competition. Austria had picked up a taste for good results. And after Cesár Sampson’s third place in 2018 with Nobody But You, countertenor JJ was crowned the third red-white-red winner: the pop-opera-techno number Wasted Love scored victory at Basel 2025.

Thus, following 2015, the Eurovision Song Contest will in 2026 be held for the second time in Vienna’s Stadthalle and overall the third time in Austria’s capital.

A Voice Like No Other. On 17 May 2025, Austrian artist JJ celebrated his triumph at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, giving Austria its third victory. With his song Wasted Love, the countertenor combined his vocal talent with pop and techno elements – and touched the hearts of Europe. JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, was born in Vienna in 2001 and grew up in Dubai before moving back to Austria’s capital city in 2016. As a countertenor with a distinctive voice that rises to soprano heights, JJ had already made a name for himself with his extraordinary range and emotional performances.

Audiences also knew JJ from the ORF event show Starmania, where he sang his way into the final shows in 2021 thanks to his remarkable voice. JJ has been involved in numerous productions at the Vienna State Opera, too. And beyond the stage, he continues to refine his craft by studying classical music at the prestigious Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK).

After Basel 2025, Wasted Love became the first song by an Austrian act to reach more than a million streams within a week. It is therefore no wonder that the Austrian talent has been invited back to perform his winning song live at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

United by Music. The motto United by Music embodies the essence of the Eurovision Song Contest-bringing people together through the power of music. Since its inception, the competitionhas served as a platform for cultural exchange, artistic expression, and international unity. Regardless of language, nationality, or background, music creates a shared experience that transcends borders.

First introduced as the Eurovision motto when the BBC hosted the Contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, United by Music reflects the Contest’s enduring mission to foster connection and inclusivity. In 2026, as the competition celebrates its 70th anniversary, the world will look to Austria as the motto United By Music takes centre stage: Every year, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates our diversity, spotlights that music is a universal language that connects us all and shows the world as it could be. 

Innovation 2026.

The Green Room:The Green Room will take on a very special look for the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Designed in the style of a traditional Viennese coffeehouse, the Green Room will exude a unique charm and serve as a stage to showcase Austria as the host country.

Power Supply:We have managed to ensure that generators do not have to run continuously to secure the power supply. This allows us to significantly reduce emissions and utilize an enhanced version of the system that was originally developed for the ESC in Vienna back in 2015.

Dual environmental certification. Sustainability is a key priority for ORF, though it is also clear that a major event of this scale leaves an environmental footprint. ORF has set itself the goal of keeping its carbon footprint as low as possible. To demonstrate this, we are aiming for dual certification with the ‘Green Event’ and ‘Green Producing’ eco-labels.

“In 2015, ORF and Vienna showed that we can set new standards in sustainability, and this year we want to go one better with dual environmental certification. We are taking a wide range of measures – from climate-friendly travel, through regional and seasonal sourcing for catering, the use of efficient LEDs during the show, right through to waste reduction. The ORF has a clear goal: the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is to become a learning and benchmark project for major events worldwide,” said Michael Krön, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Stage Design. For the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, ORF is using a new stage concept by Florian Wieder that continues the development of the world’s largest live music event. Vienna provides the ideal setting: the stage combines familiar Eurovision Song ontest elements with bold innovations and draws on the creative spirit of the famous art movement, the Vienna Secession.

At its heart is a curved LED surface in the shape of a leaf, complemented by a sweeping resonance arc and a striking stage structure. The leitmotifs of the leaf, curved line and construct represent new beginnings, musical movement and artistic structure, giving the staging a clear, contemporary attitude. Behind the stage design is also the vision (In) the heart of Europe supported by ORF, which places the heart as a powerful symbol for connection and diversity at the centre.

All creative and communicative elements – from the chameleon heart to the Secession-inspired ornaments – are derived from this motif and make the vision visible and tangible. Through the connection of these elements, a stage design emerges that preserves the DNA of the Eurovision Song Contest while opening up new creative paths – a design that presents Vienna as an open and bold heart of Europe. 

Lighting Design. ORF is setting new standards with its lighting design for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna: technically, creatively – and, above all, sustainably. The overall visual concept by internationally renowned lighting designer Tim Routledge incorporates more than 2,100 LED and laser units, as well as over 8,500 individually controllable LEDs. In addition, for the first time, 80 high-speed cable winches will create moving lighting effects – a first for the world’s biggest TV entertainment event, whose three live shows will be broadcast on ORF 1 and ORF ON.

Tim Routledge is an internationally acclaimed lighting designer for concerts, TV and major events, including a BAFTA winner for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest lighting design (Liverpool). He has previously worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Sam Smith, Helene Fischer and the Spice Girls, as well as on numerous TV programmes for the BBC, ITV, Netflix and CBS. Following his work in Liverpool and Basel last year, this collaboration with ORF marks his third ESC lighting design: “Eurovision is all about big moments. The challenge was therefore to create something that looks impressive and grand, whilst at the same time being significantly more responsible behind the scenes. The fact that we are relying 100 per cent on LED and laser technology on this scale shows that you can have both – spectacular visuals and a sustainable production.”

The Hosts.

Victoria Swarovski:Victoria Swarovski, born August 16, 1993, in Innsbruck, Austria, is a TV host, entrepreneur, model, designer and singer. As part of the world renowned Swarovski family, she consciously decided early on to pursue an independent professional path outside the family business. 

She celebrated her big breakthrough in 2016 with her victory in the TV dance show Let’s Dance. Since 2018, she has been a permanent member of the hosting team for Let’s Dance, one of the most successful shows in the German-speaking region.

Other TV highlights include hosting the Disney100 – Die große Jubiläumsshow, as well as Bambi, one of Europe’s most prestigious entertainment awards.

Michael Ostrowski: Michael Ostrowski, born January 3, 1973, in Leoben, Austria, is an actor and host from Styria. Known primarily for his comedic roles, the multi-talent has also written screenplays and directed several films.

Ostrowski achieved his breakthrough in Austria in 2004 with the film Nacktschnecken, which became the second most successful movie of the year. Today, he is one of Austria’s most in-demand actors. Additionally, Ostrowski regularly works as a host.

For hosting 100 Years of Radio, he received the Austrian TV award ROMY. For the 2022 film Der Onkel, Ostrowski not only starred but also handled the screenplay and direction.

How the Voting works.

Voting System – Semi-Finals.The Eurovision Song Contest employs a voting system that combines both public and professional jury votes to determine the 10 songs that qualify for the Grand Final from each Semi-Final.

• Audience Voting:

In each Semi-Final, only viewers from the countries performing in the show can vote for their favourite performances via telephone, SMS, or online at esc.vote.

They cannot vote for the song from their own country.

Viewers in the Rest of the World can also vote online.

The Top 10 most popular songs in each country are awarded points on an ascending scale from 1 to 8 and then 10 and 12 points. Each participating country, and the 3 pre-qualified countries performing in each Semi-Final, awards a total of 58 points each based on the public vote. Votes from the Rest of the World are combined and then the Top 10 most popular songs awarded a total of 58 points – equivalent to one participating country. 

• Jury Voting:

Each participating country has a seven-member professional jury that ranks the performances. Their rankings are converted into Eurovision points: 1-8, 10, and 12, with 12 points awarded to their favourite entry.

This year, at least two members must be aged 18 to 25.

Each juror ranks all the competing songs in each show from their least favourite to most favourite, based on the following criteria: Composition and originality of the song, quality of the performance on stage, vocal capacity of the performer(s) and overall impression of the act.

• Qualification:

The points from the jury and audience vote in each country and the Rest of the World vote are then added together.

The 10 countries with the highest set of points from each Semi-Final then advance to the Grand Final.

Grand Final Presentation of Results.

• Jury Points:

Each participating country’s spokesperson announces their jury’s 12 points recipient, while other jury scores are displayed on-screen.

• Audience Points: After all jury votes are presented, the cumulative public votes are revealed, starting with the total number of points received by the song that gained the fewest jury points and ending with the song that received the most, creating suspense until the winner is revealed at the very end of the voting sequence.

• Non-Participating Countries: Since 2023, viewers from non-participating countries can vote online. Their combined votes are counted as one additional voting country.

• Tie-Breaking Rules: In case of a tie, the song with the most public votes wins. If the tie persists, the number of countries awarding points to each entry is considered.

Postcards. Gebhardt Productions are responsible for creating the Postcards for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Their concept mergesreal outdoor shots at Austrian locations with studio recordings of the artists, which are then layered over each other in unique ways. This will create very special worlds of experience: from a chairlift flying over snowy mountains, to a miniature artist wandering through forests and meadows looking at oversized plants or walking over spectacular skylines.

There is also a historical Austrian connection, as the first postcard was invented in 1868 by Carinthian Emanuel Herrmann.

Flag Policy.Only flags that comply with the Austrian safety standard (ÖNORM B 3822:2010-06-15 / DIN EN 13501-1) are permitted inside the venue.

This means that all flags must be made from certified fire-retardant materials and accompanied by the corresponding certification.

• All flags brought into the venue must comply with the above-mentioned safety standards.

• Compliance will be strictly checked at the Security Check Points, where valid certification must be presented.

• Flags that do not meet the requirements will not be permitted inside the venue.

For convenience, officially compliant flags from participating countries are available for pre-order via our designated shop (https://flag-shop.eurovision.com/). These flags are clearly marked and can be easily brought into the venue multiple times.

You can of course buy compliant flags from other retailers.

Please note: Flags bought from the Eurovision Shop can be collected at the merchandise stand outside the Wiener Stadthalle from Monday 11 May to Saturday 16 May ahead of each Dress Rehearsal 2 and 3 and Live Show. Further details on the precise location will be provided close to event week.

All flags that are legally permitted in the Host Country are allowed in the Media Centre and audience areas of the venue. 

Only official flags of the country an artist is representing in the Contest is permitted in the context of any appearance on the main stage, Green Room, or Turquoise Carpet.

Auri – The official mascot of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. Auri is the official mascot of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. As a musical ambassador, he welcomes delegations and fans from all over the world to Austria. Auri wants to encourage everyone – young and old – to pursue their dreams and make them a reality with the support of friends and family.

The name Auri is derived from the Latin word aurum, meaning gold. In Auri – The Show of His Life, the official children’s book for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, the mascot embarks on a hero’s journey. Auri will also be attending numerous events during Eurovision Song Contest Week in May and is looking forward to meeting fans and having photos taken with them.

Wiener Stadthalle.The Wiener Stadthalle is Austria’s largest and most prestigious multi-purpose arena and for decades one of Europe’s leading live entertainment venues. Hosting around 300 events and welcoming more than one million visitors each year, it ranks among the continent’s most active arenas. International superstars, world-class sporting events, major TV productions, and spectacular shows all share one stage. Here in the heart of Vienna.

Designed by renowned architect Roland Rainer, the venue combines architectural clarity with a central location and an impressive legacy. Since its glittering opening on 21 June 1958, the Wiener Stadthalle has hosted more than 10,000 events.

Opening Ceremony. Live-Broadcast: Sunday, 10 May, 16:55 – 18:55

Ongoing Turquoise Carpet (Burgtheater to Town Hall). Short interview (ORF) in the middle of the Turquoise Carpet (1 minute). Grand Reception on the main stage in front of the audience. Duration Turquoise Carpet for each delegation: 3 minutes.

18:50: Final (Main stage/Town Hall). JJ & RSO: Wasted Love. All Media are invited to the Mixed Media Zone inside the Rathaus to interview artists. Access details will be shared closer to the time.

Eurovision Village (Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna). The Eurovision Village – organized by the City of Vienna in close collaboration with ORF will once again become one of the main focus points of Eurovision week, with a capacity of up to 15,000 fans. From May 10 to 17, the Eurovision Village is opening its doors at Rathausplatz, with free admission to all.

As the largest public meeting point for fans, the Eurovision Village offers a full week of varied programmeming, with daily live concerts from a range of Eurovision stars, as well as DJs and interactive events on offer.

Besides appearances and performances from current and former Eurovision participants, plus other acts, the three Live Shows of Vienna 2026 will be broadcast live from the Wiener Stadthalle onto 15 screens at Rathausplatz, on May 12, 14 & 16.

14 food stands will offer Viennese as well as international cuisine, and additional attractions on and around the main stage include a Eurovision turquoise carpet photo point, a digitally enhanced karaoke booth, and a Eurovision quiz hosted by Robert Steiner.

Opening hours are from 14:00 to midnight (or until the end of the Live Shows). On Thursday May 14 it will open earlier, at 11:00, while on Sunday May 17 it will close earlier, at 19:00.

The full programmeand lineup of Eurovision Village can be found online at eurovision.wien.gv.at or in the ivie app.

Other Venues around Vienna. 

Eurofan House. Panel discussion and Meet & Greets together with WIWIBLOGGS, pub quiz, and fan meet ups with OGAE Austria. 

EuroClub. The EuroClub is a media-free zone. No filming, photography, or media reporting is permitted inside the venue. This space is intended to provide a relaxed and private environment for delegations, fans, and guests. Programme: Different theme nights with Eurovision legends and OGAE DJs. 

The Arena Shows in 2026 are expected to be:

First Semi-Final: Tuesday 12 May, 21:00 CET 

• Evening Preview: Monday (11 May)
• Afternoon Preview: Tuesday afternoon (12 May)
• Live TV Show: Tuesday evening (12 May)

Second Semi-Final: Thursday 14 May, 21:00 CET 

• Evening Preview: Wednesday evening (13 May)
• Afternoon Preview: Thursday afternoon (14 May)
• Live TV Show: Thursday evening (14 May)

Grand Final: Saturday 16 May, 21:00 CET 

• Evening Preview: Friday evening (15 May)
• Afternoon Preview: Saturday afternoon (16 May)
• Live TV Show: Saturday evening (16 May)

The Evening Preview (previously known as the ‘Jury Show’) is a full run through of the show that takes place the night before the televised version. It’s when the international juries cast their votes for the participants. Audiences can stay for a randomised version of the qualifier/points reveals, as the presenters rehearse for different scenarios.

The Afternoon Preview (previously known as the ‘Family Show’) is a full run through of the show that takes place earlier in the day of the Live TV Show; it serves as one final rehearsal for the artists and crew, and as the name suggests, it’s much more convenient for those who wish to bring younger Eurovision fans. Again, the Family Show features a randomly generated presentation of the qualifiers and points.

The Live TV Show is exactly that: a live television show. Audiences across Europe (and Australia) will get to cast their votes to add to the Jury scores. No randomisations this time – it’s all for real!

Interest in Eurovision tickets is always high, but as fans who have travelled to a Contest before will tell you: traditionally it can be easier to secure tickets for the Preview shows. These shows have all of the content and performances of the broadcast shows, but leave you free to watch the Live TV Show as it was intended… on the television!