Austrian broadcaster ORF has officially announced the two cities that it has entered into discussions with to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest: Innsbruck and Vienna.

JJ secured Eurovision victory thanks to his trailblazing performance of Wasted Love ; now it's almost time to find out where in Austria the Contest will be headed to in 2026.

On Monday 14 July, broadcaster ORF revealed that it had headed into next-stage talks with two Austrian cities: Innsbruck and Vienna.

A final decision on the Host City of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest is expected to be announced in the second half of August.

Interested cities had until Friday 4 July to submit to ORF their applications to host the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Following on-site visits to Olympiaworld in Innsbruck and Vienna's Stadthalle, ORF has now entered in-depth discussions with both candidates. The two cities have been invited to refine their concepts and submit a final bid.

ORF General Director Roland Weißmann is enthusiastic about the talks to come:

"With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two very interesting applications. Fundamentally, both offer the appropriate conditions to host the world's largest TV entertainment event. We look forward to the next steps and further exchanges in the coming weeks."

Michael Krön, Executive Producer of Eurovision 2026, added:

"I thank the project teams from both cities for their comprehensive and equally creative applications. Based on the documents, we are now starting negotiations and will take the time to discuss all relevant aspects in detail."

Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest

Austria debuted at Frankfurt 1957 when Bob Martin’s Wohin, Kleines Pony (‘Where, Little Pony?’) was the last to cross the line, finishing tenth in a field of 10.

It would take until 1966 for broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) to win hands down when, on his third Contest participation, Udo Jürgens triumphed with the ballad Merci, Chérie (‘Thank You, Darling’).

A second Austrian victory came in 2014 courtesy of drag artist Conchita Wurst, who dedicated their win to ‘everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom’ , they continued: ‘We are unity and we are unstoppable!’

She later became one of the most passionate supporters of Austria’s third victor, JJ, who sailed to the top of the leaderboard with his opera-inspired anthem Wasted Love at Basel 2025.