The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic music competition and is set to take place in Austria, following the country's victory in 2025. Austrian singer JJ (Johannes Pietsch) won the 2025 contest in Basel with his operatic ballad "Wasted Love," securing Austria's third Eurovision win after previous victories in 1966 and 2014.

Austria's public broadcaster, ORF, is currently overseeing the selection process for the host city. Several cities have expressed interest, including Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Wels, St. Pölten, Oberwart, and Ebreichsdorf. Key considerations for the selection include venue capacity and proximity to international airports .

Hosting the event presents financial challenges, with estimated costs exceeding €30 million. This comes amid ORF's €325 million cost-cutting program and other major broadcast commitments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics . Despite these concerns, officials highlight the potential benefits, noting that Vienna's hosting in 2015 generated €30 million in revenue and significant international exposure.

As preparations continue, Austria aims to deliver a memorable 70th edition of Eurovision, celebrating the contest's legacy and its unifying power through music.