Two Austrian cities, Innsbruck and Vienna, have officially submitted their bids to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Both proposals were delivered to national broadcaster ORF ahead of the selection process.
Innsbruck’s bid is titled “Together on Top.” The city positions itself as a centrally located destination with venues, transport access, and lodging capacity in close proximity. The proposed host venue is Olympiahalle Innsbruck, supported by nearby facilities such as Tivoli Stadium and the Kleine Eishalle. The Eurovision Village is planned for Landestheaterplatz, adjacent to the city’s old town.
According to the application, the city has 23,000 accommodation providers and over 340,000 beds across the Tyrol region. Innsbruck reports more than 40 million annual visitors and a network of 2,000 volunteers available for support.
Innsbruck’s submission emphasizes its musical calendar, including events such as Bridge Beat Festival, Heart of Noise, the Easter Festival, and the Arch Festival. Local officials highlight the city’s previous Olympic experience and existing infrastructure. Tyrol’s government and Innsbruck’s administration jointly endorsed the bid.
Mayor Johannes Anzengruber stated, “Our application stands for openness, diversity and special cooperation.” Economic Councillor Mario Gerber added that Innsbruck aims to deliver an event that combines efficiency and international appeal.
Vienna submitted its application one day earlier, on July 3, under the slogan “Europe, shall we dance?” Mayor Michael Ludwig presented the bid on behalf of the capital city. Vienna hosted Eurovision once before, in 2015.
The city promotes its existing infrastructure, citing no need for new construction. Vienna highlights its international airport with 195 direct connections, rail access to 16 night train destinations, and a public transport network exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
Vienna’s application includes a review of its 2015 hosting experience, when more than 1,700 journalists and 1,300 delegates were accredited. The city recorded 1.3 million overnight stays that May. According to a post-event survey by the European Broadcasting Union, Vienna received top ratings for hospitality and organization.
Councillor Barbara Novak said the city’s goals for 2026 include promoting cohesion and sustainability. “Our application alone shows that Vienna can present itself as a world stage,” she said.
The Austrian host city for Eurovision 2026 is expected to be announced by ORF in the coming months.
