Vienna Calling: Austria to Select Eurovision 2026 Act on 20 February
Austria is wasting no time. With Vienna confirmed as the host city of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, ORF has unveiled details of its national selection. The live show, titled “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?”, will take place on 20 February 2026 and air live on ORF 1.
Twelve artists will battle it out on stage in Vienna, with the winner determined by a jury-public vote combination. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Austria wants to find the perfect act to defend its home turf at the Wiener Stadthalle in May.
ORF’s Vision: “We Want the Whole Country Involved”
Speaking to Austrian media, Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, ORF’s Programme Director, explained the broadcaster’s approach:
“The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna is the biggest event Austria will host next year. Our goal is to involve and inspire the whole country. Now that the question of where Eurovision will take place has been answered, it’s time to decide who will represent Austria. We want to make this decision together with our audience, and all artists can apply to take part immediately.”
Rules for Vienna Calling 2026
ORF has opened the submission window, which runs until 15 October 2025. Here’s what artists and songwriters need to know:
- ❌ No previously released songs – entries must be unpublished before 1 September 2025
- 🎤 Minimum age: 16
- 🇦🇹 One country only: artists cannot compete for multiple nations
- 🎸 Live vocals, playback instruments: standard Eurovision rules apply
- 👥 Maximum six performers on stage
- ⏱ Song length: up to 3 minutes
- 🚫 No politics allowed: gestures, slogans, or lyrics of a political nature are forbidden
- 🤖 AI-free zone: songs must be entirely human-made.
What Happens Next
With the submission window open, ORF expects hundreds of applications from both established names and emerging talent. The 12 competing acts will be announced later this year, and by 20 February 2026, Austria will know who’ll fly the red-white-red flag on home soil.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 itself will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, with live shows scheduled for:
- Semi-Final 1: 12 May 2026
- Semi-Final 2: 14 May 2026
- Grand Final: 16 May 2026
Source: ORF
