Eurovision Song Contest 2026
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Get ready for a spectacular celebration! The Eurovision Song Contest is coming back, and in 2026, we're marking a monumental milestone: the 70th edition! Mark your calendars for May 12th and 14th for the electrifying semi-finals, leading up to the grand finale on May 16th. And where will this incredible event unfold? None other than the magnificent Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria!
This grand spectacle is brought to you by the European Broadcasting Union and our gracious host broadcaster, Österreichischer Rundfunk, or ORF. They're staging this year's contest after Austria's triumphant victory in 2025 with the unforgettable song "Wasted Love" by JJ.
Vienna, Austria, is once again the heart of Eurovision! This marks the third time Austria has had the honor of hosting, with previous unforgettable contests in 1967 and 2015, both also held in the beautiful city of Vienna. This year, the iconic 16,152-seat Wiener Stadthalle will be our main stage, a venue with a proven track record, having previously hosted the contest in 2015.
But the magic doesn't stop there! Just a stone's throw away, Rathausplatz will transform into the vibrant Eurovision Village. Imagine this: live performances from your favorite contest participants and talented local artists, all alongside public screenings of the live shows. And for those seeking the ultimate after-party experience, the Vienna City Hall will be home to the EuroClub, hosting official after-parties, exclusive private performances, and the dazzling "Turquoise Carpet" and opening ceremony on May 10th. This is where contestants and their delegations will make their grand debut before the world's press and eager fans. These vibrant locations will echo the same incredible energy they brought us in 2015.
Following Austria's sensational win in 2025, ORF's director, Roland Weißmann, highlighted venue suitability and proximity to airports as crucial factors in selecting our host city. Meanwhile, ORF's program director, Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, acknowledged the recent scarcity of newly built large arenas, but encouraged municipalities with ambitious plans to step forward and present their bids.
The race to host Eurovision 2026 was swift and spirited! Within days of Austria's 2025 victory, several Austrian cities eagerly expressed their interest. On May 18th, 2025, Vienna's mayor, Michael Ludwig, officially confirmed the city's intention to bid. On the very same day, Graz announced it was exploring a potential bid, with Mayor Elke Kahr pointing to Stadthalle Graz as an ideal venue. The Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum in Graz was also proposed by its concert manager. And on that eventful May 18th, Innsbruck and Wels confirmed their bids, proposing the Olympiahalle and a new exhibition hall, respectively. Oberwart also threw its hat in the ring. The following day, May 19th, Sankt Pölten's mayor, Matthias Stadler, suggested VAZ St. Pölten as a possible location. By May 26th, Ebreichsdorf presented their proposal for a temporary venue.
ORF officially kicked off the bidding process on June 2nd, 2025, opening a window for cities and municipalities to declare their interest. Those selected candidates received detailed tender documents, with a deadline of July 4th to submit their bids. Ebreichsdorf gracefully withdrew on June 15th, followed by Oberwart on June 21st, Graz on June 27th, and Wels on July 1st. Ultimately, Vienna and Innsbruck stood as the sole contenders by the deadline. Then, on August 20th, the EBU and ORF proudly announced Vienna as the host city for Eurovision 2026!
Now, let's talk about who will be gracing our stages! Eligibility for the Eurovision Song Contest is straightforward: a national broadcaster must be an active EBU member, capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting it live nationwide. The EBU extends an invitation to all its active members. Broadcasters have until September 15th, 2025, to confirm their participation and until mid-December to withdraw without incurring financial penalties. This deadline was extended to allow countries to make their decisions after the EBU general assembly in early December, a crucial time when Israel's participation is expected to be discussed.
As of September 2025, broadcasters from a growing list of countries have publicly confirmed their exciting intention to participate in the 2026 contest!
Get ready for the musical journey! Albania will be selecting its entry through the time-honored Festivali i Këngës, a tradition since 2004. Australia is back on board, confirmed by SBS on September 3rd, 2025. Austria, our host nation, will be holding a televised national final after initially considering an internal selection. Azerbaijan's İTV confirmed their participation on August 6th, 2025. Cyprus's CyBC is also confirmed as of August 4th, 2025. Croatia will be choosing their artist through the beloved national final, Dora. Czechia will continue with internal selections, confirmed by ČT on September 3rd, 2025. Denmark's Dansk Melodi Grand Prix is set to deliver another thrilling national final. Estonia's Eesti Laul, a format since 2009, will once again be their path to Eurovision. France Télévisions confirmed their participation on September 17th, 2025. Germany is making a significant change, with SWR taking over organization from NDR starting in 2026 and promising a national final. Greece is revamping its national final, Ethnikós Telikós, for 2026. Israel's Kan confirmed their participation on June 28th, 2025, though their representation will be a topic of discussion at the EBU assembly in December, with HaKokhav HaBa likely to select the artist. Latvia's Supernova, a fan favorite since 2015, is back. Lithuania's Eurovizija.LT, a format since 2024, will determine their entry. Luxembourg's Song Contest, also a format since 2024, will select their representative. Malta is hosting a songwriting camp to find songs with the potential to represent them. Montenegro's Montesong, a national final since 2025, will decide their act. Norway's Melodi Grand Prix continues its tradition. San Marino's revamped national final, the San Marino Song Contest, returns. Serbia will hold Pesma za Evroviziju, their national final since 2022. Sweden's iconic Melodifestivalen is confirmed. Switzerland's SRG SSR confirmed their participation on June 2nd, 2025, and will continue with internal selections. Ukraine's Vidbir, a format since 2016, will choose their song. And the United Kingdom's BBC Studios has renewed its contract, working closely with the BBC to select their act and oversee their performance.
However, there are some broadcasters with conditional participation. Ireland's RTÉ stated on September 11th, 2025, that they will not participate if Israel competes, citing the "huge loss of life" and the targeting of journalists in the Gaza war. The Netherlands' AVROTROS echoed this sentiment on September 12th, 2025, stating they can no longer justify Israel's participation given the "continued and serious human suffering in Gaza," and also referencing Israeli government interference. Slovenia's RTVSLO declared on September 12th that they will not participate if Israel is allowed to compete, after waiting for the EBU's decision in December. Spain's RTVE, while organizing Benidorm Fest regardless, passed a proposal on September 16th, 2025, for the broadcaster not to participate or air the contest if Israel competes.
Other broadcasters are awaiting further decisions. Belgium's RTBF is continuing preparations but will decide on participation after the EBU's general assembly in December. VRT, the other Belgian broadcaster, supports those who won't participate if Israel does, but emphasizes that RTBF will represent Belgium. VRT will also decide on broadcasting the event later. Finland's Yle will select its entry through Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, but a final decision on participation is pending, with confidential talks held with the EBU. Iceland's RÚV announced its national final, Söngvakeppnin, but participation remains uncertain and dependent on the EBU's decision regarding Israel.
Sadly, some countries have confirmed their non-participation. Andorra will not return in 2026, nor will they collaborate with TV3 for a comeback. Bosnia and Herzegovina are out due to ongoing financial difficulties. Slovakia has cited the disproportionately high costs of participation compared to revenues and societal impact.
And for other countries, the situation is still unfolding. Italy's RAI has reached an agreement to continue using the Sanremo Music Festival until 2028, but participation in Eurovision 2026 is not yet confirmed, and a statement from three RAI board members calls for non-participation if Israel competes. Kazakhstan's Khabar Agency has proposed their inclusion to the EBU, with discussions planned. North Macedonia remains interested in returning, but challenges include the lack of a suitable selection format and participation costs. Poland's TVP is expected to announce their decision in mid-September, with the Minister of Culture expressing a personal opinion against competing if Israel participates. Portugal has published the rules for their national final, Festival da Canção, but a formal confirmation of intent to participate is still pending.
The production of Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is in the capable hands of ORF, with a core team including Michael Krön as executive producer, Stefan Zechner as show producer, and many others who previously worked on the 2015 Vienna contest. In June 2025, Martin Österdahl will step down as executive supervisor, with ESC director Martin Green temporarily taking over. A study by EcoAustria estimates the contest's budget at €36 million, with significant contributions from the Municipal Council and Landtag of Vienna, and the EBU.
Visually, we're in for a treat! On August 18th, 2025, the EBU unveiled a revamped generic logo for the 70th anniversary, designed by Pals. A stunning new element, the "Chameleon Heart," featuring 70 layers of the "Eurovision heart" in 3D, has been introduced, designed for adaptability for future host countries.
All participating broadcasters have the option for on-site or remote commentators, providing local insight and voting information. While they must broadcast the final and their respective semi-final, most opt to show all three. Even non-participating broadcasters sometimes air the contest, and the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel offers international live streams without commentary.
Get ready for an unforgettable Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna!
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The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is set to be the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is scheduled to consist of two semi-finals on 12 and 14 May, and a final on 16 May 2026, held at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. It is being organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), which will stage the event after winning the 2025 contest for Austria with the song "Wasted Love" by JJ.
== Location ==
The 2026 contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following the country's victory at the 2025 contest with the song "Wasted Love", performed by JJ. It will be the third time that Austria has hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1967 and 2015, both times also in Vienna. The selected venue for the contest is the 16,152-seat Wiener Stadthalle, which previously hosted the contest in 2015.
In addition to the main venue, the Rathausplatz will be the location of the Eurovision Village, which hosts performances by contest participants and local artists as well as screenings of the live shows for the general public. The Vienna City Hall will host the EuroClub, which organises the official after-parties and private performances by contest participants, as well as the "Turquoise Carpet" and opening ceremony on 10 May 2026, where the contestants and their delegations will be presented before accredited press and fans. Both locations will repeat the same functions they held in 2015.
=== Bidding phase ===
Following Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF)'s win for Austria in 2025, its director, Roland Weißmann, emphasised venue suitability and proximity to airports as key criteria in the selection process for the host city for 2026, while ORF's program director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz noted the lack of newly built large arenas in recent years but encouraged municipalities with viable plans to submit bids.
Several Austrian cities expressed interest in hosting the 2026 contest within days of the 2025 victory. On 18 May 2025, the mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, confirmed the city's intention to bid. On the same day, Graz stated it was examining a potential bid, with mayor Elke Kahr pointing to Stadthalle Graz as a suitable venue. The Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum, also in Graz, was proposed as a potential venue by its concert manager and operator, Klaus Leutgeb. Also on 18 May, Innsbruck and Wels confirmed they would bid with the Olympiahalle and a new exhibition hall, respectively. Oberwart also expressed interest in hosting. On 19 May, Sankt Pölten's mayor Matthias Stadler proposed VAZ St. Pölten as a possible venue. On 26 May, Ebreichsdorf presented a proposal to host in a temporary venue.
ORF launched the bidding process on 2 June 2025, by opening a window for cities and municipalities to declare their interest. Those candidates received the detailed tender documents and had until 4 July to submit their bids. Ebreichsdorf withdrew from the process on 15 June, followed by Oberwart on 21 June, Graz on 27 June, and Wels on 1 July. Vienna and Innsbruck were the only cities to submit bids by the deadline. On 20 August, the EBU and ORF announced Vienna as the host city.
Key:
† Host city
^ Submitted a bid
== Provisional list of participants ==
Eligibility for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active EBU membership capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting the contest live nationwide. The EBU issues an invitation to participate in the contest to all active members. Broadcasters have until 15 September 2025 to apply for participation and until mid-December to withdraw without facing a financial penalty. The deadline was extended from 15 October until mid-December to allow countries to withdraw following the EBU general assembly at the start of December, when Israel's participation is expected to be discussed.
As of September 2025, broadcasters from the following countries have publicly confirmed their intention to participate in the 2026 contest:
=== Information regarding participation ===
==== Confirmed intention to participate ====
Albania – On 9 June 2025, RTSH confirmed it would select its entry through Festivali i Këngës, the song contest used since 2004 for this purpose.
Australia – On 3 September 2025, SBS confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.
Austria – ORF initially announced that it would be selecting its entry internally, but later confirmed a televised national final would be held.
Azerbaijan – On 6 August 2025, İTV confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.
Cyprus – On 4 August 2025, CyBC confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.
Croatia – HRT announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Dora.
Czechia – On 3 September 2025, ČT confirmed its intention to participate in 2026, announcing that it would continue to select its entry internally.
Denmark – DR announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix.
Estonia – ERR announced it would be selecting its entry through Eesti Laul, the national final format which has been in use since 2009.
France – On 17 September 2025, France Télévisions confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.
Germany – In January 2025, ARD announced it would switch the organisation of its participation in the contest from regional broadcaster NDR, which had been in charge since 1996, to SWR starting in 2026. In June, SWR confirmed its intention to participate, announcing in September that it would select its entry through a national final.
Greece – ERT announced that it would be selecting its entry through Ethnikós Telikós, the revamped national final format first held in 2025.
Israel – On 28 June 2025, Kan confirmed its intention to participate in 2026. Israel's representation in the contest is set to be discussed during the EBU general assembly in December. No selection method has been announced, though HaKokhav HaBa is expected to be used to select the Israeli artist, dependent on the final decision taken by the EBU.
Latvia – On 1 August 2025, LSM announced it would be selecting its entry through Supernova, the national final format which has been in use since 2015.
Lithuania – LRT announced it would be selecting its entry through Eurovizija.LT, the national final format which has been in use since 2024.
Luxembourg – On 10 June 2025, RTL announced it would be selecting its entry through the Luxembourg Song Contest, the national final format which has been in use since 2024.
Malta – On 29 May 2025, TVM, a subsidiary of PBS, announced a songwriting camp for "creating high-level songs with the potential to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026".
Montenegro – RTCG announced on 3 September that it would select its entry through Montesong, the national final format first held for 2025.
Norway – NRK announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Melodi Grand Prix.
San Marino – SMRTV announced that it would select its entry through the San Marino Song Contest, the revamped national final format first held in 2025.
Serbia – RTS announced that it would select its entry through the 2026 edition of Pesma za Evroviziju, the national final format which has been in use since 2022.
Sweden – SVT announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Melodifestivalen.
Switzerland – On 2 June 2025, SRG SSR confirmed its intention to participate in 2026, announcing on 30 June that it would continue to select its entry internally.
Ukraine – Suspilne announced that it would be selecting its entry through Vidbir, the national final format which has been in use since 2016.
United Kingdom – In August 2024, BBC Studios renewed the contract to produce Eurovision content until 2028, and will "work alongside the BBC in the selection of the UK act, and oversee their performance".
==== Conditional participation ====
The following broadcasters confirmed their non-participation if Israel participates:
Ireland – RTÉ stated on 11 September 2025 that it would not participate in 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete due to the "huge loss of life", as well as the targeting of journalists in the Gaza war, and that the broadcaster is waiting until the EBU general assembly in December to make a decision on its participation.
Netherlands – On 12 September 2025, AVROTROS stated that it would not participate in 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete. The broadcaster stated that: "We can no longer justify Israel's participation with the continued and serious human suffering in Gaza", and cited Israeli government interference in the previous edition's outcome.
Slovenia – On 4 September 2025, RTVSLO stated that it would decide whether to participate in 2026 after the EBU makes a decision on Israel's future participation and address concerns surrounding the "transparency of the vote" in December. The broadcaster later stated its "clear position" on 12 September that it would not participate if Israel is allowed to compete.
Spain – In May 2025, José Pablo López, chairman of RTVE, announced that the broadcaster would select its entry through Benidorm Fest, the national final format in use since 2022. On 9 September, it was reported that a decision on participation would be made in December, following the EBU general assembly, and that Benidorm Fest would be organised regardless of the decision taken. On 16 September 2025, RTVE's board of directors passed a proposal for the broadcaster not to participate and air the contest if Israel participates.
The following broadcasters confirmed that they will announce their decision on participation on a later date:
Belgium – On 12 September 2025, RTBF stated that it is continuing preparations for 2026, but that it would only decide on participation following the EBU's general assembly in December. The other Belgian broadcaster, VRT, expressed its support for the broadcasters that declared they would not participate if Israel does, but noted that "RTBF will represent Belgium in 2026, so it is not up to VRT to comment on participation." VRT will also decide whether to broadcast the event following the general assembly.
Finland – On 15 May 2025, Yle announced that it would be selecting its entry through Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the national final format which has been in use since 2012. On 12 September, Johanna Törn-Mangs, Director of Creative Content and Media at Yle, stated that the broadcaster had not yet decided whether it would compete in the contest, adding that it had held confidential talks with the EBU.
Iceland – Although RÚV announced that it would select its entry for 2026 through its traditional national final Söngvakeppnin, on 8 September 2025, Stefán Jón Hafstein, chairman of RÚV's board of directors, stated that the broadcaster's participation is "uncertain" and would be dependent on whether Israel is allowed to compete; a decision will be made after the EBU's general assembly in December.
==== Confirmed non-participation ====
Andorra – On 26 May 2025, RTVA confirmed it would not participate in 2026 and would not collaborate with Catalan broadcaster TV3 for a possible return. Andorra last took part in 2009.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – On 9 July, BHRT confirmed it would not return in 2026 due to ongoing financial difficulties. Bosnia and Herzegovina last took part in 2016.
Slovakia – On 23 July, a statement by Filip Púchovský, a press representative for STVR was released, in which he stated that "the costs of full participation, including licensing fees, production and logistics, are disproportionately high compared to the revenues and societal impact" and that Slovakia would not be returning to the contest in 2026. Slovakia last took part in 2012.
==== Other countries ====
Italy – On 3 September 2025, RAI and the city of Sanremo reached an agreement, confirming that the namesake music festival will take place in the city until 2028, leaving the organisation rights to the Italian broadcaster. RAI has not yet confirmed its intention to participate in 2026, and an official announcement of using the Sanremo Music Festival to select its entry is pending. On 23 September, three out of seven members of RAI's board of directors released a statement calling for the broadcaster not to take part if Israel does.
Kazakhstan – On 8 July 2025, chairman of the board of directors of Khabar Agency, Kemelbek Oishybayev, stated that at the EBU General Assembly earlier that month, he proposed that EBU director-general Noel Curran invite Kazakhstan to the contest, and that Curran had assured him that the issue would be discussed at the next EBU meeting.
North Macedonia – On 16 May 2025, Macedonian journalist Aleksandra Jovanovska gave an interview on the MRT programme Makedonija nautro, in which she said that the broadcaster is still interested in a return to the contest. She stated that there are a number of artists who have expressed their readiness to represent North Macedonia should it return, and that problems currently preventing participation include the lack of a suitable selection format and the cost of participation. No decision has been made as of September 2025. North Macedonia last took part in 2022.
Poland – On 27 August 2025, Agnieszka Lenart, head of press for the Polish Eurovision delegation, stated that TVP would most likely announce its decision regarding participation in 2026 in mid-September 2025. Poland's minister of culture and national heritage, Marta Cienkowska, has stated her personal opinion that Poland should not compete if Israel is allowed to participate.
Portugal – On 16 September 2025, RTP published the rules for the 2026 edition of its traditional national final Festival da Canção; within the rules it was stated that the winner would be eligible, but not obliged to represent Portugal in the 2026 contest. A formal confirmation of intent to participate in the contest has not been communicated as of 16 September.
== Production and format ==
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be produced by the Austrian national broadcaster ORF. The core team consists of Michael Krön as executive producer, Stefan Zechner as show producer, Daniel Hack as head of production, Christine Tichy as technical manager, Roman Horacek as head of communications, Iris Keutter as marketing manager, Oliver Lingens as event manager, Christina Lassnig as executive assistant, Christina Heinzle-Conrad as secretary-general, and Martin Szerencsi as legal advisor. Zechner, Tichy, Horacek, Keutter, Lingens, and Szerencsi all previously held similar or analogous positions for the 2015 contest in Vienna.
In June 2025, the EBU announced that Martin Österdahl would step down from his role as executive supervisor of the contest, with ESC director Martin Green temporarily assuming Österdahl's duties.
A study by the research institute EcoAustria estimates the budget for the contest to be at €36 million, with the Municipal Council and Landtag of Vienna allocating €22.6 million and the EBU contributing an expected €5 million.
=== Visual design ===
On 18 August 2025, the EBU released a revamped version of the generic logo, designed by the Sheffield-based branding studio Pals, to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest's 70th anniversary. A new design element named the "Chameleon Heart" was also introduced, consisting of 70 layers of the "Eurovision heart" rendered in 3D. It is intended to be adaptable for future host countries' needs.
== Broadcasts ==
All participating broadcasters may choose to have on-site or remote commentators providing insight and voting information to their local audience. Although they are required to show the final and semi-final in which their country votes, most broadcasters cover all three shows. Some non-participating broadcasters also air the contest. The Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel provides international live streams with no commentary of all shows.
The following are the broadcasters that have confirmed in whole or in part their broadcasting plans and/or commentators:
== Notes ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
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