Eurovision Song Contest Between Capitals and Local Metropolises

The Eurovision Song Contest also likes to move to smaller cities. Therefore, Vienna should not be too sure in the upcoming ORF selection for the host city in 2026, while Innsbruck has a chance. On the list of ESC cities are less glamorous places like Harrogate, Brighton, or Malmö.

Capitals Leading in Eurovision Song Contest Hosts

However, the statistics still favor Vienna: Capitals are leading in the hosting locations of the ESC. Even though Basel this year was part of the Song Contest scene away from metropolitan flair, capitals still remain in the majority of hosting locations and lead with 41:28. To be specific, the ESC statutes do not even state that the previous year's winning country must host the contest - only that it can. After the first three competitions in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands (1956/1957/1958), this rule was introduced. In the past, this honor has been waived, mostly to save costs. The Netherlands (1960), France (1963), Monaco (1972), and Luxembourg (1974) allowed the UK to host, and Israel left the ESC to the Netherlands in 1980. Most recently, Ukraine had to let the UK take the lead in 2023 due to the Russian invasion and the resulting impossibility of hosting such a mega event in their own country.

(APA/Red)

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