Eurovision Song Contest odds

Austria was the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 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.

Who wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?

Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Host City, Dates, and What to Expect

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, with live shows taking place in May 2026. The event will follow the usual Eurovision format with two semi-finals during the week and a grand final on Saturday, hosted at Vienna’s largest indoor arena. That’s the short answer. Now let’s break it down properly. Most Eurovision activities will be spread across central Vienna, making it easy for fans to move between official events, public viewing areas, and nightlife spots without long travel times.

Host City: Vienna, Austria

Vienna will host Eurovision 2026 after Austria won the previous contest, giving the country hosting rights. The Austrian capital is not new to Eurovision. It has hosted before and already has the infrastructure, venues, and public transport needed for an event of this size.

Vienna works well for Eurovision for a few simple reasons. It’s easy to reach from most European countries, the city has experience with international live broadcasts, and it offers enough accommodation for tens of thousands of visiting fans. Beyond the shows, Vienna is known for its music history, which fits naturally with a song contest that brings together different cultures.

Main Venue: Wiener Stadthalle

The live shows will take place at Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna’s largest indoor arena. The venue can handle large audiences and complex stage setups, which is essential for Eurovision’s live performances, lighting, and camera work.

The arena has hosted major concerts and televised events for decades, so it already meets Eurovision’s technical needs. Inside, the stage will be custom-built for the contest, with seating arranged around it to allow for wide camera angles and crowd shots.

Dress rehearsals, jury shows, and live broadcasts will all happen in the same space, following the standard Eurovision schedule used in recent years.

Eurovision 2026 Dates and Show Schedule

Eurovision week always follows a familiar pattern, and 2026 will be no different. The contest will run across three main live shows:

• Semi-Final 1: Tuesday, mid-May 2026
• Semi-Final 2: Thursday, mid-May 2026
• Grand Final: Saturday, mid-May 2026

Each semi-final features a group of participating countries competing for a place in the final. The grand final then brings together the qualifiers, the host country, and the automatically qualified countries.

All shows are broadcast live in the evening local time and watched by millions across Europe and beyond.

How the Competition Works

Eurovision 2026 will follow the current competition format. Countries submit one original song, performed live on stage by their chosen artist or group. Songs must meet Eurovision rules, including length limits and release dates.

Voting is split into two parts:

• Public voting, where viewers vote by phone, app, or SMS
• Professional jury voting, where music industry professionals score each performance

In the semi-finals, voting decides which countries qualify for the grand final. In the final, jury votes and public votes are combined to decide the winner.

This mix of voting often creates surprises, as jury favorites and public favorites don’t always match.

Who Will Participate

Around 35 to 40 countries are expected to take part in Eurovision 2026. Each country is represented by its national broadcaster, which selects an artist and song through a national final, internal selection, or a mix of both.

Some countries automatically qualify for the grand final every year, including the host country Austria and the so-called “Big Five.” All other countries must qualify through the semi-finals.

Final participation lists are usually confirmed a few months before the contest.

Eurovision Week Events in Vienna

Eurovision is more than just three TV shows. During contest week, Vienna will host several official and unofficial events that fans can attend even without arena tickets.

One of the biggest is the Eurovision Village, a large public space with live screenings of the shows, performances by former Eurovision artists, and fan activities. Entry is free, making it popular with visitors who couldn’t get tickets for the arena.

There will also be an opening ceremony, where all competing artists are officially presented to the public. Fan clubs, media outlets, and local venues usually organize their own events, creating a festival-like atmosphere across the city.

What to Expect From the Shows

Eurovision 2026 will feature live vocals, full staging, and performances designed specifically for television. Expect a wide mix of music styles, languages, and performance ideas, from stripped-back ballads to high-energy pop and experimental acts.

The production will focus on clear storytelling through staging, lighting, and camera work. Each performance is rehearsed multiple times to make sure it works both in the arena and on screen.

Interval acts, guest performers, and short features about Austria and Vienna will be included between competing songs, especially during voting segments.

Tickets and Viewing Options

Tickets for Eurovision shows usually sell out quickly. They are released in waves, covering live shows and dress rehearsals. Prices vary depending on seat location and show type.

For those without tickets, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Eurovision 2026. The Eurovision Village, public screenings, bars, and live TV broadcasts allow fans to take part without entering the arena.

Many fans also follow Eurovision online, where clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content are shared throughout the week.

Why Eurovision 2026 Matters

Eurovision 2026 marks another major milestone for the contest, bringing together dozens of countries in a shared live event. It’s one of the few TV shows that still creates a real sense of occasion across borders.

For Austria, hosting Eurovision again is a chance to showcase Vienna on a global stage and welcome fans from across Europe. For viewers, it’s another year of discovering new artists, unexpected favorites, and memorable moments.

Final Thoughts

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna will follow the classic Eurovision formula: three live shows in May, dozens of countries, and a city filled with music fans for one week. With a proven venue, a central European location, and strong public interest, the contest is set to be one of the most watched events of the year once again.

Whether attending in person or watching from home, Eurovision 2026 will offer the same mix of competition, creativity, and shared experience that has kept the contest running for decades.