Who will host the ESC 2026? Cities in Austria in the race!

Who will host the ESC 2026? Cities in Austria in the race!

Wien, Österreich - The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026 will take place in Austria and several cities apply for the discontinuation. The winner of the ESC 2023, the countertenor JJ with his hit "Wasted Love", was able to score 436 points and continued to be interested in the next issue of the music competition. The competition is an important economic event, since the ESC has boosted the tourism sector in the past, as the Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner emphasizes.

Currently, several cities in Austria show interest in organizing the ESC 2026. Vienna, already host of the ESC 2015, is currently holding back and has not yet made an official statement. With the existing infrastructure, including the Wiener Stadthalle and the Vienna trade fair, Vienna would be well equipped to organize the competition again.

The favorites among applicants

Innsbruck, represented by Mayor Johannes Anzengruber, also has ambitions and sees the Olympic Hall with up to 12,000 places as a potential venue. First discussions with the tourism association and the operators are already underway.

Wels plans a new exhibition hall with over 10,000 square meters, whose completion is sought for March 2026. Mayor Andreas Rabl emphasizes that the accessibility by the adjacent train station could be another advantage for Wels.

Graz is also working on an official application that was announced in the local council. The SPÖ emphasizes the cultural advantages of the city, while Oberwart points out that all requirements are met, but the availability of quarters is a challenge. Klagenfurt, on the other hand, shows little ambitions to run, referring to the high costs of conversion measures in the Wörthersee Stadium.

economic effects and responsibility

The meaning of the ESC extends far beyond music. The ESC 2015 generated over 100,000 international guests in Vienna and sales of around 30 million euros. The ESC 2025 in Basel also appreciates a value added of around 64 million euros, while the costs for the issuance fluctuate between CHF 10 million and CHF 70 million. In Basel, the estimated costs are CHF 60 million, which is in the upper spectrum. Such events not only offer the hospitality and retail, but also the event industry important economic opportunities.

Another aspect is responsibility for employees. From 2026 the Südwestrundfunk (SWR) will be responsible for the ESC. This decision was made by the ARD channels involved, and the NDR releases the baton after the ESC final 2023 in Basel. Christine Strobl, ARD program director, underlined the role of the ESC as a great show event and thanks the NDR for its previous commitment.

Preparations for the ESC 2026 will begin in early summer 2025. While the SWR will take part in the ESC 2025, which is still under the leadership of the NDR, it remains to be seen whether Germany will win the competition in 2025 and the NDR can then align the international final in 2026.