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Eurovision Song Contest 2026
International song competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Location
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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.[2]
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.[2][3] Both locations will repeat the same functions they held in 2015.[4]
Bidding phase
The location of the host city Vienna (in blue), cities and towns that submitted bids (in red) and cities and towns that expressed interest but ultimately did not bid (in grey)
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.[5]
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.[6] On the same day, Graz stated it was examining a potential bid, with mayor Elke Kahr pointing to Stadthalle Graz as a suitable venue.[7][8] The Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum, also in Graz, was proposed as a potential venue by its concert manager and operator, Klaus Leutgeb.[9] Also on 18 May, Innsbruck and Wels confirmed they would bid with the Olympiahalle and a new exhibition hall, respectively.[10][11] Oberwart also expressed interest in hosting.[12] On 19 May, Sankt Pölten's mayor Matthias Stadler proposed VAZ St. Pölten as a possible venue.[13] On 26 May, Ebreichsdorf presented a proposal to host in a temporary venue.[14]
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,[15] followed by Oberwart on 21 June,[16] Graz on 27 June,[17] and Wels on 1 July.[18] Vienna and Innsbruck were the only cities to submit bids by the deadline.[19][20] On 20 August, the EBU and ORF announced Vienna as the host city.[2][21]
Key:
† Host city
^ Submitted a bid
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Participating countries
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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 had until 15 September 2025 to apply for participation and have until mid-December to withdraw without facing a financial penalty.[25][26][27]
Provisionally confirmed countries
As of October 2025,[update] broadcasters from the following countries have publicly confirmed their intention to participate in the 2026 contest:
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.[28]
Australia – On 3 September 2025, SBS confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.[29][30]
Austria – ORF initially announced that it would be selecting its entry internally,[65] but later confirmed a televised national final would be held.[66]
Azerbaijan – On 6 August 2025, İTV confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.[33]
Croatia – HRT announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Dora.[34]
Cyprus – On 4 August 2025, CyBC confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.[35]
Czechia – On 3 September 2025, ČT confirmed its intention to participate in 2026, announcing that it would continue to select its entry internally.[36]
Denmark – DR announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix.[37][38]
Estonia – ERR announced it would be selecting its entry through Eesti Laul, the national final format which has been in use since 2009.[39]
France – On 17 September 2025, France Télévisions confirmed its intention to participate in 2026.[40]
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.[67][68] In June, SWR confirmed its intention to participate,[43] announcing in September that it would select its entry through a national final.[44]
Greece – ERT announced that it would be selecting its entry through Ethnikós Telikós, the revamped national final format first held in 2025.[69][70]
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.[46]
Lithuania – LRT announced it would be selecting its entry through Eurovizija.LT, the national final format which has been in use since 2024.[48][49]
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.[50]
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".[71][72]
Montenegro – RTCG announced that it would select its entry through Montesong, the national final format first held for 2025.[73]
Norway – NRK announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Melodi Grand Prix.[55][54]
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.[56]
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.[74]
Sweden – SVT announced that it would be selecting its entry through its traditional national final, Melodifestivalen.[58][75]
Switzerland – On 2 June 2025, SRG SSR confirmed its intention to participate in 2026,[60] announcing on 30 June that it would continue to select its entry internally.[76]
Ukraine – Suspilne announced that it would be selecting its entry through Vidbir, the national final format which has been in use since 2016.[61]
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".[63]
Israeli participation
The Gaza war has brought the participation of Israel and its broadcaster Kan into controversy, with calls for the country to be excluded and demonstrations against its participation at the 2024 and 2025 editions.[77][78][79][80] Israel's 2024 entry "Hurricane" (originally called "October Rain") was also controversial, seen as referencing the 7 October attacks on Israel, a breach of political neutrality rules, which led to it only being accepted by the EBU after a rewrite.[81] Israel ultimately finished in fifth place in 2024 and second in 2025, in both cases placing within the top two of the public vote,[82][83] which was partially attributed to advertising campaigns ran by Israeli government officials to boost public votes and encourage support for their country's entries. The existence of such campaigns for the 2024 entry was confirmed by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs,[82][84] and similar campaigns for the 2025 entry were detailed by Eurovision News Spotlight, a fact-checking and open-source intelligence initiative by the EBU.[85][86] The 2025 set of advertisements, published by the Israel Government Advertising Agency, received over 68 million total impressions.[87] Several participating broadcasters called for a rework of the televoting system and an independent audit of individual countries' televoting results following the 2025 final.[88][89]
Kan confirmed its intention to participate in 2026 on 28 June 2025.[90] This led to further calls on the EBU to exclude Kan from participating, including from several other member broadcasters which announced their intention not to participate if Israel does. Other broadcasters indicated their intention to participate dependent on certain conditions being fulfilled by the EBU.[91] The contest's reference group extended its confirmation deadline, before which broadcasters are able to withdraw applications for the 2026 contest without incurring a financial penalty, from 13 October to mid-December to allow for a wide-ranging consultation with broadcasters on Israeli participation, which was expected to be determined at the EBU's general assembly in early December.[26][27] On 25 September, it was reported that a special general assembly session would be held online in early November to discuss and vote on Israel's representation in the contest;[91][92][93][94] all active EBU members will be invited, including those that do not compete in or broadcast the contest, and a simple majority of votes will be required to exclude Israel.[95][96] According to the EBU statutes, each country gets 24 votes, split amongst the country's EBU members, if applicable.[97] The artist who would represent Israel is planned to be chosen through the reality show HaKokhav HaBa, which is scheduled to premiere in mid-November 2025,[98] but in the event the EBU votes to exclude Israel from the contest, the winner of HaKokhav HaBa will instead be awarded 1 million Israeli new shekels (approximately €264,000).[99][100]
The following broadcasters confirmed their intention to withdraw their applications to compete if Israel can participate:
Ireland – On 11 September 2025, RTÉ stated "if the participation of Israel goes ahead" it would not compete, citing the "huge loss of life" as well as alleged targeting of journalists in the Gaza war, and that the broadcaster is waiting until the EBU general assembly in December to make a decision.[101]
Netherlands – On 12 September 2025, AVROTROS stated: "We can no longer justify Israel's participation with the continued and serious human suffering in Gaza", and cited the Israeli government campaign as interference in the previous edition's outcome.[102] The broadcaster later stated that it would not change its position for the contest in 2026 even if a ceasefire is reached or the conflict develops otherwise, and would reassess its participation "in subsequent years" dependent on the circumstances at that moment.[103]
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.[104] The broadcaster later stated its "clear position" on 12 September that it would not participate if Israel is allowed to compete.[105]
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.[106] 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.[107] On 16 September 2025, RTVE's board of directors passed a proposal for the broadcaster not to participate nor air the contest if Israel participates.[108][109] During the presentation of the competing artists of Benidorm Fest 2026 on 9 October 2025, RTVE's head of communications María Eizaguirre stated that the broadcaster's position remained unchanged in light of the recently-proposed Gaza war peace plan.[110]
The following broadcasters confirmed that they will announce their decision on participation on a later date pending the outcome of any consultation process:
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.[111] 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."[112] VRT will also decide whether to broadcast the event following the general assembly.[113]
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.[114][115] 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.[116]
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.[117][118] On 4 October, RÚV postponed the closing of submissions for Söngvakeppnin until after the EBU votes on Israel's participation in November.[119][120]
SBS and France Télévisions have stated their intent to participate regardless of the outcome of the vote on Israel's inclusion,[121] while DR, NRK, and SVT have conditioned their participation on certain criteria being fulfilled by the EBU.[122][123][124] SWR has voiced its support for the consultation process initiated by the EBU.[125] ORF has stated its support for Israel's participation, but acknowledged that the decision lies with the EBU.[126]
Other countries
The following broadcasters confirmed that they do not intend to participate in 2026:
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.[127][128] 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.[129] 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.[130] Slovakia last took part in 2012.
The following countries' broadcasters have released statements regarding the 2026 contest without confirming participation:
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.[131] 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.[132]
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.[133][134]
Moldova – On 30 September 2025, TRM hosted a consultation with Moldovan artists and record producers regarding a possible participation in 2026, focusing on possible selection formats, rule changes, promotion strategies, and support measures for participants.[135]
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.[136] On 19 September 2025, MRT's program council held a meeting in which most members of the council agreed that the country should return, but financial issues do not allow it, and that "it's too late" for the broadcaster to apply for 2026, though a strategy should be created for a return in 2027. A final decision on participation in 2026 has not been made.[137] 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.[138]
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.[139][140] A formal confirmation of intent to participate in the contest has not been communicated as of 16 September.[141]
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Production and format
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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.[142]
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.[143] On 1 October, Gert Kark was appointed to the contest's reference group, taking Österdahl's vacated spot.[144] A few days later, it was revealed that he would serve in the newly created position of ESC executive producer.[145]
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.[146][3]
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.[147][148]
Broadcasts
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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:
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Notes
References
External links
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