The race for Eurovision 2026: Which city will host the jubilee 70th edition – Vienna or Innsbruck?

Following JJ’s triumph in Basel 2025, the Eurovision caravan is moving to Austria! Austrian broadcaster ORF recently closed the application process for host cities, and only two candidates remain in the running: the capital city of Vienna and the alpine gem, Innsbruck.

After an initial wave of strong interest across the country, many cities withdrew their bids due to high economic and logistical demands, leaving the decision in the hands of two „strong“ contenders.

ORF has officially announced that they have entered into detailed discussions with both Innsbruck and Vienna, inviting them to refine their concepts and submit final proposals. The final decision on the host city for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest is expected to be announced in the second half of August.

ORF Director-General Roland Weißmann expressed his enthusiasm:

„With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two very interesting applications. Fundamentally, both cities offer the appropriate conditions to host the world’s largest TV entertainment event. We look forward to the next steps and further exchanges in the coming weeks.“

Michael Krön, Executive Producer of Eurovision 2026, added that the applications were comprehensive and creative, and that negotiations would cover all relevant aspects.

Vienna: A safe choice with proven experience

Vienna, as the capital of Austria, probably needs no special introduction. The city is by far the largest in the country, and it has already hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice before (in 1967 and 2015), proving its capability to organize such a mega-event.

• Venue: Vienna is bidding with the Wiener Stadthalle, a venue comprised of multiple halls. The contest would definitely be hosted in Hall D, which can accommodate over 16,000 spectators – the same hall that hosted the contest in 2015. Multiple halls allow for a press center and other activities nearby, making it an extremely suitable location.
• Airport: As the capital, Vienna also hosts Austria’s only major airport, Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, which also serves nearby Bratislava in Slovakia. With nearly 32 million passengers in 2024, it is among Europe’s busiest airports, ensuring excellent connectivity with numerous European cities.
• Sights: Vienna is renowned for its rich history and culture, offering countless historical sights and stunning architectural masterpieces. From Schönbrunn Palace and its adjacent zoo, to the famous Riesenrad in Prater, the second oldest operating amusement park in the world, visitors will have a plethora of options to explore.
• Transportation: The city offers every possible mode of transportation: flights, buses, trains, and even boats. The city center has a well-connected and easy-to-use metro system, and train services provide regular transportation to neighboring countries like Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia. Vienna is also situated on the Danube River, making boat transport technically possible.

Conclusion for Vienna: Since Vienna successfully hosted the contest in 2015, proposing the same venue, ORF already has a blueprint for organization. This is a safe choice that allows for improvements on an already established platform, and the only question is whether the contest can once again entice people to visit this stunningly amazing city.

Innsbruck: An alpine challenge with a more intimate atmosphere

Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrolean region and the fifth-largest city in Austria. To most Europeans, it’s known as a prime destination for skiing in the Alps, and its Olympic pedigree is confirmed by hosting the Winter Olympic Games in both 1964 and 1976.

• Venue: Innsbruck offers the Olympiahalle, Austria’s second-largest indoor arena. With a capacity of up to 12,000 spectators (including standing room), the hall is more than adequate to host the contest. The Tyrolean Ice Arena is located right next to the venue, which could serve as the press center. Olympiahalle, built for the 1964 Winter Olympics, has a rich history and experience in organizing large events, including numerous concerts by famous artists.
• Airport: The city does have its own smaller international airport with approximately one million passengers per year, the majority of whom are on seasonal flights. Connectivity is limited to larger European cities. Travelers often rely on airports in Zurich (Switzerland), Munich (Germany), and Milan (Italy) as alternatives.
• Sights: As a former Olympic host city and the fifth-largest city in Austria, Innsbruck also offers numerous hidden gems, including multiple churches and museums. The city celebrates all things Tyrolean and mountainous in the region, with castles in the area and even the Alpine Zoo in the far north of the city.
• Transportation: Despite the city’s somewhat remote location from the rest of the country, it benefits from its proximity to neighboring countries, with a highway connection running from Munich (Germany) to Verona (Italy) through the city. Trams are a key factor in urban transport, taking passengers close to bordering countries.

Conclusion for Innsbruck: Innsbruck may not have the capacity of the capital, but recent experiences show that smaller cities can also enhance the Eurovision experience. Smaller cities make all necessary spots more accessible and easier to reach once there, and facilitate spreading the joy to the entire city. This bid could absolutely do what the Swiss did not for 2025 – create a true alpine experience for the Eurovision Song Contest.

After a detailed analysis of both candidates, it’s clear that we’re in for a treat! Whether it’s Innsbruck or Vienna, the 70th anniversary of the contest will be in good hands.

Considering how Austria celebrated the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, ORF is more than ready to host a magnificent contest in 2026.