Eurovision Song Contest announces 2026 host city - but it's sparking divide

The city that will host the next Eurovision Song Contest has been revealed. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the international contest, shared the news this week and confirmed 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.

The Mirror reports that the EBU and Austrian broadcaster ORF have chosen Vienna 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, hosts 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.

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."

However, Eurovision fans have been left divided over the news, taking to X with their thoughts.

One said: "Flights and hotel booked. My favourite European city - other than my home city of Liverpool. Hope the Viennese do as wonderful a job of hosting as we did. SO excited." A second penned: "Why on earth was Innsbruck even considered to host in the first place? They should have just decided on Vienna in the start instead of wasting time with a long bidding process!"

Another added: "Vienna was such an obvious choice that I really do wonder why they waited until today to proclaim it as the host-city."

Meanwhile, a fourth said: "Vienna seemed to be the only logical option, but Innsbruck would have been a lovely city for the fans to visit."