ESC 2026: Which Venue the Austrians Wish For

Austria wants Vienna as the host city for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Or more precisely, 34 percent of the country. At least, this is the result of a current, representative survey by the market research institute TQS among 1,000 people between 16 and 65 years old. This puts the federal capital at the top of the country's ESC preference - with Innsbruck in second place. The Tyrolean metropolis is preferred by 11 percent of respondents.

Vienna's ESC Bid Included in Government Program

That Vienna is applying for the Song Contest is explicitly stated in the red-pink government program. And the Innsbruck city senate has also already given the "green light" for the application.

In the survey, the Styrian capital Graz narrowly secured the podium place in ESC favor with 10 percent, just behind Innsbruck - which is expected to decide today whether to throw its hat into the Song Contest ring at all. In fourth place among audience favorites is Upper Austria's industrial metropolis and transport hub Wels, which is entering the race together with the state capital Linz and is favored by at least 9 percent of respondents.

Almost 30 Percent Without Preference for ESC Venue

However, the Burgenland metropolis Oberwart has already made a firm decision against applying as the new host city for 2026. After vigorously promoting the local exhibition hall in advance, it was ultimately decided to let the slightly larger cities take precedence. Nevertheless, 2 percent of respondents would have been enthusiastic about a glamorous Song Contest in Southern Burgenland.

To be precise, another group of respondents actually ranks second in the survey. 29 percent of participants stated that they simply have no preference as to where in Austria the ESC entourage should head in 2026.

ESC Final 2026 in May

Who will win the race is still open at the moment. Potential ESC host cities must submit their detailed documents to ORF by July 4 at the latest. The decision on the venue is expected to be made by mid-August. The cities are subject to a comprehensive confidentiality catalog. The final of the largest music competition will take place on either May 16 or 23, 2026.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.