ORF is reportedly looking to decide the Eurovision 2026 host city within July. This means that the broadcaster is working to select the city within two months of their win in Basel.
ORF sending bid books to interested cities
According to local newspaper Kronen Zeitung, ORF is already planning its host city selection method. The broadcaster is set to send application forms to all state governors in the hopes of selecting a suitable venue for the Contest. These bid books – containing up to 40 pages – will be sent to cities that have already publicly announced an interest in hosting the show, including Vienna, Innsbruck and Linz.
Among the details required by ORF in the bid books are the venue capacities, airport capabilities and the number of hotel rooms. Infrastructure will also be looked at, as well as how the city will help to put on a show for fans and residents alike outside the arena.
By the end of June, the newspaper reported that all but three cities will remain in the running to host the show. The final decision on the host city will come in July. During the 2015 season, Vienna was not announced as the host city until August 6th.
Austria’s Eurovision journey
In 1957, Austria made their debut into the Eurovision Song Contest, where Bob Martin represented the landlocked nation with the song “Wohin, kleines Pony?”. At the close of voting, it managed to place 10th overall. Since their debut, Austria has participated 56 times (being in the final 49 times), and – before 2025 – had won the competition on two occasions in 1966 and 2014.
In 2025, Austria selected JJ internally to represent the nation in Basel with “Wasted Love”. Austria successfully qualified for the final, and went on to win the Contest with a total of 436 points. This gave Austria its third win in the Contest, eleven years after their previous victory.
What do you think of the plan ORF has for the host city? Where would you like Eurovision 2026 to b held? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Kronen Zeitung
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Euan T