Eurovision Dream Shattered: Ebreichsdorf’s Grand Vision Fizzles Out in Bureaucratic Limbo

Once upon a time in Lower Austria, a bold dream was born. Picture it: a former racetrack transformed into a Eurovision paradise. Irish property magnate Luke Comer had set his sights on turning Ebreichsdorf’s Magna Racino into the beating heart of European music—Comer City. A 20,000-seat venue, a press centre for 1,500 journalists, and enough room for 30,000 euphoric fans to wave flags and scream into the abyss. What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty, as it turns out.

Despite grand blueprints, ambitious press statements, and a pitch worthy of its own ballad, the Eurovision bubble has officially burst for Ebreichsdorf. The bid? Rejected. The reason? Bureaucracy—Austria’s most underrated Eurovision act.

According to Siegmund Kahlbacher, project manager and local Eurovision evangelist, the private initiative couldn’t proceed because only municipalities are allowed to submit bids under ORF’s criteria. “The official application was submitted,” said Kahlbacher with the tone of a man who had just seen his disco ball dreams turned into spreadsheets, “but only the municipality of Ebreichsdorf could make it official.” Spoiler: they didn’t.

The clock ran out. The town council couldn’t move fast enough, which is perhaps understandable—moving to the beat of a voting quorum is hardly ideal choreography for Eurovision. And so, with heavy hearts (and probably a few silent “Neins”), the Comer City crew bowed out.

Still, all is not lost. “We remain ready to cooperate in the future,” said Kahlbacher, proving once again that in Austria, the show must go on—even if it’s on a different stage.

With Vienna and St. Pölten looming large as front-runners, the race to host Eurovision 2026 is still wide open. But for Ebreichsdorf? It’s a case of “nul points” for now.

Source: Oe 24