Austria plans brave ESC 2026: Financing remains a challenge!

Austria plans brave ESC 2026: Financing remains a challenge!

The ORF boss, Roland Weißmann, emphasized the significant financial challenges in a current press conference that are connected to the organization of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2026. He described the first reaction to the decision to organize the ESC as a "moment of terror". In the coming weeks, talks with “official Austria” to finance the competition will take place. These conversations are crucial in order to secure the necessary means to implement the event. Weissmann emphasized that the search for a suitable venue for the 70th ESC should be transparent and hopes to design the event as an outstanding song contest in Austria. Kleine Zeitung reports that the internal plans on ORF begin immediately.

Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler from the SPÖ found that Austria has already successfully and economically organized an ESC a few years ago. Nevertheless, Babler made no concrete financial commitments. However, he emphasized the positive advertising effect that an ESC can have for the country. The cooperation between the government and the ORF could thus make an important contribution to financing.

experiences and opportunities

Stefan Zechner, the head of the Austrian delegation, expresses his optimism and refers to the positive experiences of the ESC 2015. This experiences could help to better master the upcoming challenges. In addition, the current ESC winner JJ expressed the desire that his victory could have a positive impact on the perception of countertening in the opera. He hopes that these artists will also be able to take over soprano roles.

In a further step, a discussion round with JJS predecessors is organized after the press conference, which is transferred live to ORF 1 and ORF on. This should further increase interest in the upcoming ESC and promote dialogue about the importance of the event.

Financing model of the ESC

like the Manager Magazin Business model of the ESC on different income flows, including ticket sales, sponsorships and transmission rights. The financing model could be of crucial importance for Austria in order to partially cover the costs of aligning the event.

The coming months will be decisive for how Austria will design the ESC 2026 and what financial and organizational solutions can be found to align this prestigious event.