Eurovision 2026: Vienna promises a show fitting for the contest's 70th anniversary
We knew Vienna would pull out all the stops to celebrate the contest's 70th anniversary, and it's confirmed: Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in the contest's recent history.
An opening worthy of the 70th anniversary
To launch the first semi-final, Vienna has opted for a narrative film retracing seven decades of the contest through the story of a couple. Poetic on paper, we can't wait to see how the ambition will be translated onto stage and screen! To accompany this, a choir of 70 voices will perform «L'Amour est bleu"», the hymn of Vicky Who represented Luxembourg in 1967, the first time Vienna hosted the contest.
Austria vs Australia – the running gag staged
This is the oldest gag in the competition: the confusion between Austria and Australia. The presenters will battle it out live on an original title called «Kangaroo», and Go-Jo, (Australia 2025) will take to the stage to set it alight. Absurd, meta, perfectly Eurovision.
Semi-finals and a final to make the Grammys pale in comparison
During the second semi-final on 14 May, the JJ (winner 2025) will be back with a new track unveiled exclusively. The tradition of big comebacks continues, and this time with a premiere.
The Grand Final will see the return of several «Eurovision Allstars » : Verka Serduchka Ukraine 2007, Lordi Finland 2006, Il Volo (Italy 2015) and Erika Vikman (Finland 2025). Four radically different universes on the same stage. Four moments that marked the history of the competition, each in their own way.
Just before the results are announced, it's time for some local colour. Parov Stelar, the Linz-born world icon of electro-swing, will transform the hall into a dance floor. Then it's time for César Sampson, third in the 2018 edition, which will conclude the voting sequence with a soul cover of Billy Joel's «Vienna"». A symbolic choice that closes the circle with a certain elegance.
2026 is likely to be remembered for a long time.
