Vienna is applying for ESC 2026: The big comeback of the capital!

Vienna is applying for ESC 2026: The big comeback of the capital!

Wien, Österreich - On July 3, 2025, Mayor Michael Ludwig submitted Vienna's application for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. This application not only emphasizes the experience of the city in the organization of large events, but also emphasizes their excellent accommodation capacity, transport connections and cosmopolitanism. Sustainability plays a central role, since no new infrastructure is required for the event, which is considered a positive aspect. Ludwig emphasizes the suitability of Vienna as a host and refers to the successful experiences from the past, especially to the ESC 2015, which was pursued by around 170 million people in 40 countries.

Vienna already organized the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 and set new standards in the hospitality sector. Economic Councilor Barbara Novak praises the economic impulses that such an event brings with it and the opportunity to present Vienna as a world stage. The city offers over 80,000 beds in 41,000 rooms in 433 hotels, which is 26 percent more than in 2015. The traffic connection could not be better: Vienna is the best -connected city of Europe, with 16 determinations, which can be reached from here. In addition, the city from 195 destinations in 65 countries can be reached by direct flight. A public transport network of over 1,000 kilometers makes accessibility easier.

variety of applicant cities

Preparations for the ESC 2026 are already in full swing. The event traditionally takes place in Austria in May, and this is the third expression of the competition in the country, after 1967 and 2015. The winner of the ESC 2025 in Basel, JJ, who won with the song "Wasted Love", has already been supported by Vienna as a host city. From May 26, 2025, the ORF will send invitations to apply to all federal states and interested cities. Interested cities include Graz, Innsbruck, St. Pölten and Oberwart, while Salzburg and Klagenfurt have been looking for an application due to infrastructure and budget restrictions.

The ESC 2026 will include two semi -finals and a grand finale. Ticket sales are expected to start in early 2026 as soon as the final event location is set. Official tickets are then only available via authorized platforms. In addition to the application for the main event plans to set up an additional open-air fan mile along the Danube Canal, which will also enrich the offer for fans.

economic effects and preparations

The orientation of the Eurovision Song Contest is associated with high costs, but this also has great advantages for the local economy. ORF general director Roland Weißmann announced that the preparations will begin immediately. Minister of Culture and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler was pleased with the victory and the return of the song contest to Austria, after no event has been held here since 2015. BABLER emphasized that the discussions about organization and financing are already underway.

The application phase and the announcement of the final event location will be completed by July 2025. It remains exciting whether Vienna will again have the honor of acting as a host city and continuing the success story of the past orientation. The first preparations have already been met and the city is ready to make the event again an unforgettable experience.

For more information about the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, the following links can be visited: Wien Presse , ESC Vienna 2026 , . .