Latest news with #EurovisionSongContest2026
Observer
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Vienna chosen to host Eurovision 2026
Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world's biggest live televised music event, Austria's public broadcaster announced, with the final set for May 16. Austria's JJ won this year's competition, held in Basel in Switzerland, with his hit "Wasted Love", which blends techno beats with operatic vocals -- making his home country the 2026 host. Vienna, which previously hosted the glitzy TV extravaganza in 1967 and 2015, edged out its competitor Innsbruck, the capital of western Tyrol province, to stage next year's contest, public broadcaster ORF announced. The final of Eurovision's 70th edition will be held on May 16, 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria's largest indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 12 and 14, Eurovision said. Since its launch in 1955, Eurovision has become the ultimate pop platform, catapulting Swedish icons ABBA to worldwide fame, as well as boosting the likes of Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. Some 166 million viewers in 37 countries watched this year's contest, with a record 60 percent of viewers aged 15 to 24 tuning in. The competition got even more views on Instagram and TikTok. Under the slogan "Europe, shall we dance?", Vienna -- more commonly known for classical music and the baroque splendour of its architecture -- pushed to host the contest, citing its experience with big events. It also touted its "enormous" accommodation capacities, its "excellent" transport links, and its "cosmopolitanism", with two million people living in the Austrian capital. The chosen venue, the Wiener Stadthalle, also hosted Eurovision in 2015, after the previous year's edition was won by bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst. Located in central Vienna, it opened in 1958 and seats 16,000 people in its main hall. When Vienna hosted the Eurovision contest last time, the city installed traffic lights showing same-sex and heterosexual couples instead of a single figure -- which proved so popular that authorities decided to keep them for good. —AFP
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eurovision announces host city for 2026 as fans divided over location choice
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026's host city in Austria has been announced following the news last month that both Innsbruck and Vienna were in the running for the role The host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has been announced. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the international contest, shared the news this week alongside confirming the dates for next year. Austria will welcome the contest for a third time next year following their act JJ's victory in Switzerland back in May with the song Wasted Love. Last month, it was revealed that Innsbruck and Vienna were in the running as host cities. It's now been announced that Vienna has been chosen by the EBU and Austrian broadcaster ORF to host the 70th edition of Eurovision. It has also been confirmed that the contest will be held in the city from May 12 to 16 next year. The semi-finals will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle on May 12 and 14, before the venue, which is the largest indoor arena in the country, fronts the grand final on May 16. The opening ceremony will instead be at City Hall on May 10. Vienna, which the EBU has described as a "historical hub for the arts," remains the only city in Austria to have hosted the contest and has done so twice already. It previously had the honour in 1967 and 2015, which was the 60th edition. The EBU has said that the capital city was chosen following a "competitive bid process" that examined facilities at the venue and local infrastructure. Organisers are said to have also examined the ability to accommodate thousands of visitors for the international contest "among other criteria". Martin Green CBE, director of the contest, said: "The EBU is thrilled that Vienna has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Vienna's reputation as one of the most musical cities in the world, and its location in the heart of Europe, makes it the perfect Host City for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. "The city's exceptional Stadthalle was a great venue for the 60th Contest in 2015 and we're very much looking forward to welcoming delegations, artists and fans alike back there next May as the world's largest live music event celebrates 70 glorious years of being United by Music. Together with Host Broadcaster ORF and the city of Vienna we will create a spectacular celebration of music that will reverberate across the world." Roland Weißmann, director general of host broadcaster ORF, added: "After thorough examination and based on a unanimous jury assessment, ORF concluded that Vienna's offer is not only the most attractive in terms of infrastructure and logistics but also economically. The Contest is a celebration for all of Austria, which we will all be proud of." Whilst Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig said: "In Vienna, we can be proud that our city has been selected by the EBU and ORF as the most suitable Host City for one of the world's largest events. We submitted a convincing overall package with enormous accommodation capacities, excellent infrastructure, and a lot of experience in hosting international events. Additionally, we placed great emphasis on offering numerous Eurovision Song Contest events in public spaces that can be visited free of charge." Fans have been sharing their thoughts since the news was announced. Many have suggested that Vienna was the likely choice and most suitable, though some appear to be disappointed that it wasn't somewhere else in Austria. One person wrote on X: "So despite the fact its hosted it twice to Vienna for 2026. Feel for Innsbruck and rest of Austria that their capital seems to win out against them AGAIN." Another said: "Gutted for Innsbruck. Get ready for another cookie cutter contest." Someone replied: "Same, struggling to get excited about this one. It'll be a dull redux of 2015, which was one of the weakest productions of the modern era to begin with." A number of fans have expressed excitement though and suggested that Vienna was the right choice. One wrote: "Eurovision heading to Vienna in 2026 brings the contest back to a classic stage." Another said: "Vienna will be an amazing host, such a beautiful city with a rich musical history." A third wrote: "Good. Vienna is the only city in the country with the necessary size and infraszructure to handle this. Sorry Innsbruck, this is more than just a bigger concert." Someone wrote: "Vienna seemed to be the only logical option, but Innsbruck would have been a lovely city for the fans to visit." Another said: "Vienna was such an obvious choice that I really do wonder why they waited until today to proclaim it as the host-city. Welcome back to a capital-city, dear #Eurovision Song Contest!"
Int'l Business Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Vienna Chosen To Host Eurovision 2026
Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world's biggest live televised music event, Austria's public broadcaster announced, with the final set for May 16. Austria's JJ won this year's competition, held in Basel in Switzerland, with his hit "Wasted Love", which blends techno beats with operatic vocals -- making his home country the 2026 host. Vienna, which previously hosted the glitzy TV extravaganza in 1967 and 2015, edged out its competitor Innsbruck, the capital of western Tyrol province, to stage next year's contest, public broadcaster ORF announced. The final of Eurovision's 70th edition will be held on May 16, 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria's largest indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 12 and 14, Eurovision said. Since its launch in 1955, Eurovision has become the ultimate pop platform, catapulting Swedish icons ABBA to worldwide fame, as well as boosting the likes of Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. Some 166 million viewers in 37 countries watched this year's contest, with a record 60 percent of viewers aged 15 to 24 tuning in. The competition got even more views on Instagram and TikTok. The show has often drawn controversy, with pro-Palestinian activists staging protests during the extravaganza in Switzerland in May after Eurovision allowed Israel -- who came runner-up -- to participate in the contest despite the devastating Gaza war. Just after his win, JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, in an interview called for Israel to be excluded from next year's competition, sparking a storm of criticism in Austria, a staunch supporter of Israel. JJ, 24, has since sought to defuse the controversy, saying via his record label Warner that he was "sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted". Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which topped elections for the first time ever last year but failed to form a government, has described Eurovision as a "queer, left-wing, woke spectacle" and criticised Vienna for wanting to stage it despite the high costs. Basel put up nearly $40 million to host the contest. Under the slogan "Europe, shall we dance?", Vienna -- more commonly known for classical music and the baroque splendour of its architecture -- pushed to host the contest, citing its experience with big events. It also touted its "enormous" accommodation capacities, its "excellent" transport links, and its "cosmopolitanism", with two million people living in the Austrian capital. The chosen venue, the Wiener Stadthalle, also hosted Eurovision in 2015, after the previous year's edition was won by bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst. Located in central Vienna, it opened in 1958 and seats 16,000 people in its main hall. When Vienna hosted the Eurovision contest last time, the city installed traffic lights showing same-sex and heterosexual couples instead of a single figure -- which proved so popular that authorities decided to keep them for good.
eNCA
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Vienna chosen to host Eurovision 2026
VIENNA - Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world's biggest live televised music event, Austria's public broadcaster announced, with the final set for May 16. Austria's JJ won this year's competition, held in Basel in Switzerland, with his hit "Wasted Love", which blends techno beats with operatic vocals -- making his home country the 2026 host. Vienna, which previously hosted the glitzy TV extravaganza in 1967 and 2015, edged out its competitor Innsbruck, the capital of western Tyrol province, to stage next year's contest, public broadcaster ORF announced. The final of Eurovision's 70th edition will be held on May 16, 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria's largest indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 12 and 14, Eurovision said. Israel controversy Since its launch in 1955, Eurovision has become the ultimate pop platform, catapulting Swedish icons ABBA to worldwide fame, as well as boosting the likes of Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. Some 166 million viewers in 37 countries watched this year's contest, with a record 60 percent of viewers aged 15 to 24 tuning in. The competition got even more views on Instagram and TikTok. The show has often drawn controversy, with pro-Palestinian activists staging protests during the extravaganza in Switzerland in May after Eurovision allowed Israel -- who came runner-up -- to participate in the contest despite the devastating Gaza war. Just after his win, JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, in an interview called for Israel to be excluded from next year's competition, sparking a storm of criticism in Austria, a staunch supporter of Israel. JJ, 24, has since sought to defuse the controversy, saying via his record label Warner that he was "sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted". Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which topped elections for the first time ever last year but failed to form a government, has described Eurovision as a "queer, left-wing, woke spectacle" and criticised Vienna for wanting to stage it despite the high costs. Basel put up nearly $40 million to host the contest. 'Europe, shall we dance?' Under the slogan "Europe, shall we dance?", Vienna -- more commonly known for classical music and the baroque splendour of its architecture -- pushed to host the contest, citing its experience with big events. It also touted its "enormous" accommodation capacities, its "excellent" transport links, and its "cosmopolitanism", with two million people living in the Austrian capital. The chosen venue, the Wiener Stadthalle, also hosted Eurovision in 2015, after the previous year's edition was won by bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst. Located in central Vienna, it opened in 1958 and seats 16,000 people in its main hall. When Vienna hosted the Eurovision contest last time, the city installed traffic lights showing same-sex and heterosexual couples instead of a single figure -- which proved so popular that authorities decided to keep them for good.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Eurovision 2026: World's biggest music event to be held in Vienna. Check dates, venue, and ticket details
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is officially heading to Vienna, Austria. Austria's public broadcaster ORF confirmed on Wednesday that the world's largest live music event will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle in May 2026. The announcement follows Austrian singer JJ's victory at Eurovision 2025 in Basel with his operatic-techno fusion hit Wasted Love. 'After thorough examination and based on a unanimous jury assessment, ORF has concluded that Vienna's bid is the most attractive not only in terms of infrastructure and logistics, but also economically,' said ORF Director General Roland Weissmann. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doorstep Car Pickup and Instant Payment Cars24 - Sell Your Car Sell Now Undo Vienna won the hosting rights over Innsbruck, marking the third time the Austrian capital will stage Eurovision, after previously hosting in 1967 and 2015. Mayor Michael Ludwig celebrated the decision, writing on X: 'I am delighted that Vienna has prevailed and will once again represent Austria next year. I am convinced we will have a wonderful May together.' Live Events JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, became Austria's third Eurovision winner, following Conchita Wurst (2014) and Udo Jürgens (1966). The last Eurovision contest drew an audience of around 160 million viewers worldwide, cementing its place as one of the most-watched entertainment shows on the planet. Eurovision 2026 Dates and Schedule The competition will feature three live shows in Vienna, all starting at 21:00 CEST: Semi-Final 1: Tuesday, 12 May 2026 Semi-Final 2: Thursday, 14 May 2026 Grand Final: Saturday, 16 May 2026 In addition to the live broadcasts, jury and family rehearsals will take place ahead of each show. These rehearsals mirror the performances but exclude the official voting. The jury rehearsal on 15 May will play a crucial role, as national juries cast their votes based on it. How to Get Tickets for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna Tickets are expected to go on sale in late 2025. The timeline depends on finalizing key arrangements such as the venue setup, seating plan, stage design, and ticketing agency. Typically, Eurovision tickets are released in batches, covering: Live shows (semi-finals and grand final) Jury rehearsals Family shows Fans planning to attend are advised to follow and ORF's official channels for updates on the ticket release.
