For the third time in the 70-year history of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), Vienna, Austria, will host the campy glitter-flecked musical competition this May.
It’s the second time that an out queer performer has won Vienna the privilege of hosting the world’s largest, longest-running annual non-sporting television event, which last year was watched by 166 million people around the globe, so many of them gay, gay, gay.
Gay drag queen Conchita Wurst (Thomas Neuwirth) brought the spotlight to Vienna in 2015 when she won ESC 2014 with her song “Rise Like a Phoenix.” (The country that wins usually hosts the following year.) Last year’s victory, by queer Vienna singer JJ and the song “Wasted Love,” is bringing ESC back just nine years later. By contrast, the gap between Austria’s first winner, Udo Jürgens singing “Merci, Chérie” in 1966, and its second winner Conchita Wurst was 48 long years.
“Many Eurovision Song Contest fans weren’t alive when we hosted back in 1966. When Conchita Wurst won, I had just started to work for the tourist board,” says Helena Steinhart, a spokesperson for the Vienna Tourist Board. “It was unclear what hosting would mean for the city. When a country is part of Eurovision but never wins, and therefore never hosts, it becomes, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ Nobody expected the win in 2014, but the excitement was huge. To do it again less than 10 years later, people are really into it. We’ve been through the experience of how much fun it can be.”
Is it a coincidence that it’s another queer performer who is bringing the world to Vienna again? Maybe, maybe not. With its mix of pulsing techno beats and operatic vocals (JJ trained at the Opera School of the Vienna State Opera), “Wasted Love” is the perfect anthem for modern Vienna—a hybrid suitable for both the classical concert hall and the dancefloor at a gay club.
“Vienna is known as a capital of music, but mostly classical music,” says Steinhart. “Think Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and Mahler. Then you have JJ, who is an opera singer who represents a younger generation and a different musical style—it’s perfect for Vienna.”
An estimated 88,000 fans will descend on Vienna for the ESC 2026, which takes place from May 12 to 16. Throw in local enthusiasts and you’ve got about 100,000 people watching the nine rehearsals and live shows happening in Wiener Stadthalle, which holds about 16,000 attendees. Even though it’s a city of two million, it will feel like a takeover.
ESC 2026 is not without controversy. More than 1,100 musicians and cultural workers have called for a boycott because of the inclusion of Israel, amid growing pressure to ban the country over its war on Gaza. Signatories include openly gay artists John Grant, Jónsi and his bandmates in Sigur Rós, Fado Bicha, Bashar Murad and Planningtorock, which is led by Jam Rostron, among others.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all withdrew from this year’s competition in protest of Israel. Last December Nemo, who won ESC in 2025, taking the honour of being the first nonbinary person to do so, returned their trophy in protest of Israel’s inclusion in 2026.
Many, though, will not boycott, and perhaps boo Israel during the competition. There will be many queer acts to cheer for.
For those unable to snag Wiener Stadthalle tickets, Vienna has plans to spread the Eurovision pageantry, energy and queerness all over the city. The heart of the fan experience will be at Rathausplatz, which is the square in front of City Hall. Free to enter, and open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight, the square will host live performances, DJ sets, local street food, public screenings of what’s happening in Weiner Stadthalle and many other surprises. The entire square will be covered with a turquoise carpet.
“The Emperor in the 1860s had the city wall dismantled and had all these important and beautiful buildings built around the square by the best architects of the time, so it’s like an outdoor museum,” says Steinhart. “Nothing can be more official and prominent than this square, which really shows you how important Eurovision is to the city of Vienna.”
Though many of the special events are still being planned, visitors should expect all the gay bars—and many of the straight ones—to host viewing parties and shows connected to ESC.
For those who need a break from Eurovision mania, Steinhart suggests checking out some of Vienna’s green spaces. “One other thing people are not aware of is that Vienna is an extremely green city—more than 50 percent of the city’s surface is woods, vineyards and parks. Visitors should go to Danube Island, which was created in the 1970s and ’80s as a flood-protection project. It’s a place where you can go swimming or just rest. Most of the beaches are free. There are two metro stations on the island, so it’s just 15 or maybe 17 minutes from the city centre.”
JJ will definitely be making an appearance at Vienna’s ESC. Will fans see him out at his favourite gay bar? You never know. On the turquoise carpet in Rathausplatz? Highly likely.
Though this year’s contestant selection process was not finalized when this story was published, we can tell you that Greece, Denmark and Belgium are sending openly LGBTQ+ contestants this year.
In total, 35 countries are participating in 2026, including Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, which had skipped some recent tournaments, mostly due to costs. Five countries—Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland—are boycotting this year because of Israel’s inclusion in the competition and that country’s conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Russia has been excluded from the contest since 2022, when it invaded Ukraine.
Wanna know what to do in Vienna in between Eurovision shows? Check out our insider’s guide to the best of LGBTQ+ Vienna and our interview with sensational Viennese drag queen Ryta Tale about her Vienna favourites.
