Currently, 2 cities are left in the race to host Eurovision 2026: Vienna and Innsbruck.

Last June, Austrian broadcaster ORF released an official press announcement regarding the plans for Eurovision 2026.

First of all, the minimal requirements for the host city and venue were given:

1. The venue must be available exclusively for at least seven weeks before and one week after the final.
2. The venue must be a roofed, soundproof, light-insulated, and air-conditioned.
3. The venue must have a capacity of at least 10,000 seats.
4. Applicant cities must submit their bid by the 4th of July 2025.
5. The EBU regulations include: a fully equipped event hall with appropriate capacity and infrastructure, good public and international transportation, sufficient accommodation in the region, and the host city’s organizational, security, and sustainable implementation capabilities.

Based on the Austrian magazine Kurier, ORF concluded the negotiations to select the host city for Eurovision 2026.
The decision will be officially revealed on Wednesday, August 20th, at an early morning on ORF radio.
The 2 cities mayors will get an update around half hour before.

Back in 2015, ORF added the following requirements, which might be relevant for 2026 as well:

1. The arena must have a a minimum ceiling height of around 15 meters. 
2. Furthermore, a “green room” for approximately 300 people (artists and delegations) had to be accommodated either in the venue or in its immediate vicinity.
3. additional space of approximately 6,000 square meters was required for the backstage area (catering, dressing rooms, makeup rooms, viewing room, commentary booths), approximately 4,000 square meters for the press center for the more than 1,000 expected journalists, and sufficient space for an accreditation cente

Potential Host Cities

Currently, there are 2 cities in the race to host Eurovision 2026 in Austria:

Vienna

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1. Vienna is aiming to host the contest for the 3rd time (previous times were in 1967 and 2015).
2. The proposed venue is Wiener Stadthalle, which is the largest indoor arena in Austria. Its capacity is around 16,152 seats.
3. Since 2006, the complex has housed six main venues (each of which can be used separately or combined) consisting of two gymnasiums, an indoor ice rink, a large-capacity indoor arena, a small multi-purpose hall, an auditorium with a show stage, and an adjacent swimming pool.
4. The suggested slogan in “Europe, shall we dance?”
5. Vienna excels in its accessible public transportation. Vienna is accessible by direct flights from 195 destinations in 65 countries
6. The city suggests plenty of accommodation options: No less than 433 hotels!
7. As Vienna hosted Eurovision 2015, no changes should apply to the city’s infrastructure.

Michael Ludwig, Mayor of Vienna, explained why Vienna should be the choice for the host city:

As a cultural metropolis that is clearly committed to climate neutrality, we would like to make the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 a forward-looking event that inspires and takes responsibility in equal measure.
We are making a clear commitment: We want to bring Eurovision to Vienna. We have proven very often in the past that Vienna is a cosmopolitan city that welcomes event visitors with open arms and offers them a wonderful stay

Innsbruck

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1. The planned venue is Olympiahalle.
2. Its capacity is estimated at just below 12,000 spectators. This number can decrease due to operational areas that need to be covered within the arena.
3. The venue was used for many events in the past, from sports-related events (Ice Hockey games, European Darts Matchplay 2015, Youth Olympic Games 2012, and so on) to music concerts (Marilyn Manson, Bob Dylan, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, 30 Seconds to Mars, and so on)
4. The “Eurovision Village” is planned to be located in the old town of Landestheaterplatz.
5. Back in 2015, Innsbruck was one of the final cities in the running to host Eurovision 2015.
6. The suggested slogan will be “Together on Top”.

Innsbruck Mayor Johannes Anzengruber added:

Our application embodies openness, diversity, and a unique sense of togetherness. At the same time, it was important to us to present a concept that is feasible, financially viable, and on solid ground

Tyrol’s Minister for Economic Affairs Mario Gerbe added:

We want to organize an ESC that combines emotion, efficiency, and experience – as an international calling card from Tyrol for the whole of Europe.

Possible Dates

Based on ORF application documents, there are 2 sets of possible dates for Eurovision 2025:

• Semi-Finals on May 12th and 14th, Grand Final on May 16th
• Semi-Finals on May 19th and 21st, Grand Final on May 23rd

ORF Director General Roland Weißmann commented:

ORF will conduct a transparent, speedy, and fair selection process with legal support.
The most important will be the size and availability of the hall, the accessibility of the host city, and the necessary capacity to accommodate the delegations, staff, and visitors

What is your hope for the host city?
Will it be Vienna again, just like in 2015?