With ORF confirming Vienna and Innsbruck as the two candidate cities for Eurovision 2026, the broadcaster is now exploring who might take on hosting duties for next year’s Contest.
Swarovski, Knoll and ORF journalists among possible hosts
According to Kleine Zeitung, Austrian broadcaster ORF is considering a range of potential hosts for the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. One of the main contenders is Victoria Swarovski, known for co-presenting Germany’s Let’s Dance and her work as both a singer and TV personality.
Swarovski’s name is reportedly being considered for both possible host cities, Innsbruck and Vienna. However, her involvement in the 19th season of Let’s Dance on RTL – which will also air in 2026 – may affect her availability. That said, she’s no stranger to ORF, having previously co-hosted “2 in Tirol – Heimat neu entdecken” with Oliver Polzer. A new season with the pair is already planned for this autumn.
Also in the mix is Andi Knoll, who has been the voice of Austria’s Eurovision coverage since 1999 and could now be stepping in front of the cameras. If selected as one of the hosts, it’s expected that his commentator role could be handed over to Philipp Hansa from radio station Ö3.
ORF is also reportedly weighing up the possibility of including a news anchor as part of the hosts team – much like Germany did in 2011 when Tagesschau’s Judith Rakers co-hosted Eurovision in Düsseldorf. Multilingual presenters Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter (Journalist of the Year 2024) are all said to be under consideration.
While nothing is official yet, ORF is reportedly planning a team of three or even four hosts for Eurovision 2026.
Comedians and former winners also in the mix
ORF is reportedly looking at comedians too, possibly inspired by Switzerland’s choice of Hazel Brugger in 2025. Austrian performers such as Malarina, Caroline Athanasiadis, Viktor Gernot, and Paul Pizzera are said to be under consideration for a more lighthearted addition to the hosts team.
Conchita Wurst, Austria’s Eurovision 2014 winner, is expected to return in a Green Room role to interview artists during the shows – a position she has taken on before.
JJ, who brought Austria its third Eurovision win in 2025 with Wasted Love, is expected to perform the track again live, along with a new single, during one of the three televised nights – but he will not be among the hosts.
When will the hosts be announced?
There is no confirmed date for the announcement of the hosts. Back in 2015 – when Austria last hosted the Contest – the team of Mirjam Weichselbraun, Alice Tumler and Arabella Kiesbauer was unveiled just before Christmas 2024. Based on this precedent, an autumn announcement seems likely.
The journey to Eurovision 2026
The journey to the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest kicked off immediately following JJ’s win in Basel, when Austria’s ORF accepted the rights to host the 70th edition of the contest.
The cities in the race to host are Innsbruck and Vienna. St. Pölten had expressed a desire to host, but did not submit a formal bid. Other cities – including Ebreichsdorf, Graz, Klagenfurt, Oberwart, Salzburg and Wels and Linz – have ruled out hosting.
The Host City for the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be revealed by the EBU and ORF by mid-August.
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News source: Kleine Zeitung
Photo credit: Martin Krahler, Robert Schmiegelt / IMAGO, Frazer Harrison. Collage: That Eurovision Site.
Giwrgos Oiko