Media Accreditation
Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest accreditation portal - your gateway for media and industry access to the biggest show on the planet. Read the guidelines below and apply to secure your place at Vienna 2026.
Please direct any media enquiries to press@eurovision.com
Who can apply?
Representatives from traditional media, professional journalists, media focussed solely on the Eurovision Song Contest and digital content creators are requested to apply for accreditation for the Eurovision Song Contest by mid-April 2026 to allow delegations and organizers to prioritize allocations.
Later applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to capacity.
Media with a focus exclusively on the Eurovision Song Contest should apply for accreditation by Monday 2 March 2026 at 17.00 CET. All requests will be processed after this deadline and applicants will be informed of the result as soon as possible.
Multiple applicants from the same media organization should ensure they aligned with each other and insert the same data regarding the reach/impact of any digital platforms and publications when applying. All those applying for accreditation agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for the event. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct could result in accreditation being refused or withdrawn. Please read the following information below and follow this link to the Media Accreditation Application to complete your application.
How to apply
Professional journalists, creators, and those working exclusively for traditional media outlets at the event, can apply to be accredited in the M 1 to 3 categories. You will be asked to upload supporting evidence of your role (a copy of a national or international media card or proof of employment by your respective organization) in order to complete your application.
Those working for media solely dedicated to coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC Focused Media) or Digital Content Creators can apply to be accredited in the M4 category.
In all categories you will be asked to give details of the reach and impact of your publication, and any associated social media platforms, and details of your planned coverage of the event in order to complete your application.
Those applying for access to the Media Centre in Vienna will need to upload a copy of your National ID or Passport to complete your application. (Please note: driving licences cannot be used)
Representatives from both traditional and ESC-focused media will also be able to apply for Online-Only accreditation to enable remote coverage.
In all cases, when approving applications, priority will be given to representatives from outlets with the highest reach.
Should there be multiple applications from the same media outlet, again, reach will be considered when allocating the number of accreditations for an individual outlet.
If you are working for
- National;
- Regional or;
- a local media outlet
in a participating country your application will be reviewed by the Head of Media for the broadcaster from that country.
If you are working for
- a media outlet with an international audience;
- a media outlet based in a non-participating country
- any fan community media outlet or;
- are a content creator on a social media platform
your application will be reviewed by the European Broadcasting Union’s Communications Team.
Media Categories
If your application is successful, you will be allocated Media accreditation in one of 5 categories:
- M1 – International Media (media with a global audience or significant international reach (e.g., large international broadcasters, global media organizations).
- M2 – National Media (national TV channels, newspapers, or radio networks with distribution and audience primarily within a participating country)
- M3 – Regional or Niche Media (local broadcasters, regional newspapers or a niche media outlet that focuses on specific areas such as music, entertainment, or cultural events within a participating country)
- M4 – Digital Content Creators and ESC-Focused Media (e.g., blogger, vlogger, podcaster, social media influencer) producing content for platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, blogs etc. and/or with a focus exclusively on the Eurovision Song Contest)
- M5 – Online Media Centre Access Only (media representatives who are only applying for access to the Online Media Centre and not seeking on-site accreditation)
Those with accreditations M 1 – 4 will be able to access the event onsite in Vienna and the Online Media Centre.
M5 accreditation gives you offsite access to the Online Media Centre only.
Those who apply to attend the event in person might be granted M5 accreditation to enable them to cover the event as the capacity for the Media Centre in Vienna is limited.
Accreditation Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the rules and terms and conditions of accreditation for the Eurovision Song Contest before completing your application. · Download: Accreditation Handbook (PDF)
Travel info
For up-to-date information on how to prepare for your trip to Austria please regularly consult the Austria.info website.
If you need a visa to enter Austria, please follow the normal procedure.
Looking for the ideal place to stay while you are in Vienna? Book your accommodation here.
Media facilities
The Media Centre in Vienna will be open from Sunday 11 May until the early hours of Sunday 18 May.
The Media Centre will contain two areas, one a working area for accredited journalists and creators and one a space for Media Briefings and Media Conferences.
The working area will have access to desks, screens showing Dress Rehearsal 2 and 3 for each of the broadcasts and the Live Shows, fast wi-fi connection, power sources and printers as well as interview rooms and radio studios (bookable onsite).
There will be access to food and drink facilities on site.
Opening hours will be published shortly.
An Online Media Centre - where Dress Rehearsal 2 and 3 for each Live Show and Media Conferences can be viewed - will be available for those who wish to apply to cover the event remotely as well as those on-site.
Media representatives will not be able to view or access any individual artist rehearsals taking place between Saturday 2 May and Saturday 9 May either at the arena or in the Online Media Centre.
This is to allow all artists to rehearse in private and the production to perfect each performance before it is seen in full when dress rehearsals begin on Monday 11 May.
Excerpts from the 2nd individual artist rehearsals will be shared on the official Eurovision, and some participating broadcasters’ digital channels.
Media representatives accredited onsite will be able to access the first Dress Rehearsal inside the arena for each Live Show (on Monday 11, Wednesday 13 and Friday 15 May) to aid their reporting.
No filming or photography is permitted inside the arena during the first Dress Rehearsal for each Live Show, including on mobile phones, and you cannot bring any camera or filming equipment inside. These rehearsals will NOT be viewable in the Media Centre and the Online Media Centre.
Other Dress Rehearsals will have an audience and a valid ticket will be required to enter the arena. No filming or photography equipment can be brought into arena during these shows and the live broadcasts. If you have a ticket please see the advice from Oeticket on what can be brought inside the arena (such as forbidden items) These rehearsals WILL be viewable in the Media Centre and Online Media Centre.
A limited number of photographers will be able to access the Live Shows (on Tuesday 12, Thursday 14 and Saturday 16 May) inside the arena by request, but all other accredited media will need to be in possession of a valid ticket to do so. Details on how to apply for access will be shared closer to the event.
Live streaming and live broadcasting, for the purposes of reporting on the event, are permitted in the Media Centre and other designated media areas but the following are prohibited:
- including footage of screens displaying Rehearsals or Live Shows.
- featuring predominant audio from Rehearsals or live performances.
- conducting integral, uninterrupted transmissions of the Turquoise Carpet Ceremony and Media Conferences
- utilizing instant revenue streaming features such as YouTube’s Super Thanks, Tiktok’s LIVE Gifts, etc.
Those found to be breaching the above rules will have their accreditation and access to the Media Centre removed.
Please consult the full ESC Filming and Publishing Rules for guidance on all media coverage from the venue, which will be made accessible closer to the event.
Support
For technical support using the EventGo platform (e.g. you are unable to upload a photo), please contact support@eventgo.se.
For all other questions about the accreditation procedure (e.g. if you need to make changes to your application), please contact accreditation@eurovision.com.
For contact details for Heads of Media and other enquiries about the shows, event, artists etc. please contact press@eurovision.com.
The EBU's Terms and Conditions (available in the Accreditation Handbook) are applicable to, and binding upon, all individuals submitting an application for accreditation to the Eurovision Song Contest and/or all individuals accredited to the Eurovision Song Contest and/or are given an Accreditation Card (including any holders of TLA).
Page Updated: 16 February 2026