The Highlights around the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on May 13
Even the day after the first semi-final, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, all ORF channels – ORF 1, ORF 2, ORF III, Ö1, Ö3, and FM4 as well as ORF ON, ORF KiDS, and Social Media – are dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. ORF 1, ORF III, Ö3, and FM4 will broadcast again from the ORF glass studio at Vienna Town Hall Square, in the heart of the Eurovision Village. A rehearsal run and the „Evening-Preview-Show“ of the second semi-final will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle. Side events, including at Eurovision Village, Eurofan House, and EuroClub, offer numerous program points for ESC enthusiasts beyond the ORF TV highlights surrounding the largest TV entertainment event in the world.
Rehearsal and Evening-Preview-Show of the second semi-final on May 13 at the Wiener Stadthalle
Starting at 3:30 PM, a rehearsal run awaits all participants of the second semi-final and with France, the United Kingdom, and Austria two of the „Big Four“ and the host country representative. Participating: Bulgaria (DARA – „Bangaranga“), Azerbaijan (JIVA – „Just Go“), Romania (Alexandra Căpitănescu – „Choke me“), Luxembourg (Eva Marija – „Mother Nature“), Czech Republic (Daniel Zizka – „CROSSROADS“), France (Monroe – „Regarde!“), Armenia (SIMÓN – „Paloma Rumba“), Switzerland (Veronica Fusaro – „Alice“), Cyprus (Antigoni – „JALLA“), Austria (COSMÓ – „TANZSCHEIN“), Latvia (Atvara – "Ēnā"), Denmark (Søren Torpegaard Lund – „Før vi Går Hjem“), Australia (Delta Goodrem – „Eclipse“), Ukraine (LELÉKA – „Ridnym“), United Kingdom (LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER – „Eins, Zwei, Drei“), Albania (Alis – „Nân“), Malta (Aidan – „Bella“), and Norway (JONAS LOVV – „Ya Ya Ya“). The „Evening-Preview-Show“ of the second semi-final starts at 9:00 PM.
„Insieme“ at Eurovision Village, Auri children's book reading at Eurofan House, and ESC stars at side events
As Toto Cutugno sang in 1990 with „Insieme,“ on May 13 Europe and great Eurovisions will be at the center at Eurovision Village at Vienna Town Hall Square. The live program starts daily at 4:00 PM with a „TANZSCHEIN“ flash mob by Radio Vienna dance expert Chris Lachmuth, who rehearses COSMÓ's choreography with the audience. Already during the day, international musicians with the current ESC stars from Moldova (Satoshi), Belgium (ESSYLA), and Poland (Alicja) will be on stage. In the evening from 7:00 PM, former ESC acts like Lordi (Finland, ESC 2006, 1st place), Erika Vikman (Finland, ESC 2025, 11th place), and Tommy Cash (Estonia, ESC 2025, 3rd place), who will bring his super hit „Espresso Macchiato,“ will provide nostalgia and entertainment. Already in the early evening, the Italian singer Senhit, who will once again compete for San Marino in 2026, will heat up the audience with her own DJ set.
At Eurofan House, author Yvonne Lacina-Blaha reads from the children's book "AURI – The Show of His Life," around the mascot of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Additionally, more stars of ESC 2026 await the fans, on Wednesday with the acts from Lithuania (Lion Ceccah, 12:00 PM), Moldova (Satoshi, 2:00 PM), Georgia (Bzikebi, 3:00 PM), and Greece (Akylas, 4:00 PM). The OGAE Austria pub quiz starts in the café at 5:30 PM.
EuroClub at Wiener PraterDOME awaits on May 13 with the „Pink Night“ featuring glitter, pop anthems, and pure Eurovision energy that meets color, diversity, and international celebration mood, with stars of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. DJs FirstRank, Henrik, Linus, Ohrmeister, ITZIK, Schlagerprofilerna, and Sinner G heat up the party crowd.
And: The chance for „Your ESC-Fan-Band“ is available at the WIENXTRA youth info, the „Eurovision Market Contest“ is taking place at Naschmarkt, and the open-air concert "MUSiK.MARKT 2026 – Sounds as colorful as Vienna„ is happening at Meidlinger Markt. “Eurovision Song Contest Drinks & Music„ are offered at Café Mozart, the “Eurovision Pub Quiz„ at USUS at Water, “LIV, LOVE, LAUGH STRÖMQUIST„ at Volkstheater, and “KUNSTSCHATZI goes Eurovision Song Contest„ is happening at Kunsthistorisches Museum, celebrating at “Sound of Europe - The Eurovision Party„ at U4 and “Queers in the Garden" is part of the program at Volksgarten Pavilion.
ESC highlights on ORF 1, ORF 2, and ORF III on May 13
Fanny Stapf welcomes the following guests live at the ORF glass studio at Vienna Town Hall Square on Wednesday, May 13, at 5:55 PM in ORF-1 evening magazine "Vienna 2026 – The Song Contest Magazine": Greece’s ESC participant Akylas, singer Senhit, who is competing for San Marino again after 2011 and 2021, the Finnish band Lordi who won the ESC 2006 with their song „Hard Rock Hallelujah,“ and the ESC mascot Auri. ORF reporter Larissa Robitschko is out in Eurovision Village at Town Hall Square capturing the atmosphere among fans from around the world. Philipp Maschl reports live from Wiener Stadthalle, giving backstage insights into preparations and speaking with this year’s delegations. ORF science editor Tobias Mayr joins with the „ESC-Science“ section. And a member of the ESC core team will be a studio guest, providing backstage insights into the musical event.
In „ZIB Magazine ESC“ (Monday to Saturday, 7:56 PM, ORF 1), Philipp Maschl reports live from Wiener Stadthalle. On Wednesday, he focuses on „The ESC and Politics.“ From the ESC’s founding, a political idea stood at the forefront: connecting Europe after World War II. Countries often used their performances to express stances, at least between lines. Since the 2000s, these debates have grown more open and louder.
In „Dok 1,“ host Lisa Gadenstätter goes behind the scenes of a glamorous industry under great pressure. The episode "From Talent to Superstar – The Hard Road to Fame" (8:15 PM, ORF 1) features Melissa Naschenweng, the band Folkshilfe, and Pizzera & Jaus.
Winning the Eurovision Song Contest triggered their world careers: With documentaries „ABBA Forever“ (9:05 PM) and „Celine Dion: The Heart Goes On“ (10:00 PM), ORF 1 reminisces about milestones in music history.
For „Guten Morgen Österreich“ (Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM, ORF 2), Katharina Reigersberg reports from the glass studio at Town Hall Square on Wednesday with volunteers. Martina Reuter showcases the best ESC outfits. Schlager singer and ESC participant Nicole is a studio guest.
For „Studio 2“ (Monday to Friday, 5:30 PM, ORF 2), Verena Hartlieb explores backstage at Stadthalle on Wednesday, taking a look at „The Technology Behind“ – from directing and lighting to greenroom and commentator cabin.
„Kultur Heute“ (Monday to Friday, 7:40 PM, ORF III) broadcasts live from the ORF glass studio at Town Hall Square, focusing on ESC's numerous facets.
The ORF Radio ESC program on May 13
In „Thoughts for the Day“ at 6:57 AM on Ö1, historian Kerstin Susanne Jobst shares how she became a passionate observer of this unique music event, offering exciting insights for ESC fans, music enthusiasts, and cultural observers alike, merging historical expertise with current pop culture.
The Ö3-Wecker broadcasts live from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM from the ORF glass studio in the Eurovision Village at Town Hall Square. The Ö3-Wecker moderation team Philipp Bergsmann and Anna Kratki arise with Austria during ESC week, delivering all news about the world's largest music show. „Mr. Song Contest“ Andi Knoll is heard in Ö3-Wecker with his ESC section, with fans from all over Austria, from Bregenz through Graz to Oberwart, capturing the ESC vibe throughout the country. The Ö3-Wecker quiz „Who vs. Who“ is given a special version during the Song Contest week: ESC fans visiting Vienna compete against Ö3-Wecker moderators, testing general knowledge about Europe and Australia. Ö3 reporters report from Wiener Stadthalle, fan meetings, the funniest side events, and the Eurovision Village – in Ö3-Wecker, Ö3 news, and Ö3 social media channels.
The „FM4 Morning Show“ (6:00 AM) and fm4.ORF.at provide reviews of the first semi-final. In „FM4 Sounds like Song Contest,“ Conny Lee and Philipp Emberger send live from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM from the ORF glass studio in Eurovision Village at Town Hall Square. With numerous live guests like Michael Ostrowski, host of this year's ESC, or last year's ESC winner JJ. Additionally, current and past ESC acts along with FM4 musicians are guests sharing their favorite moments, stage highlights, and the unique ESC feeling. „FM4 Sounds like Song Contest“ won't miss live games with the audience, spontaneous challenges, and fan stories. The program includes the biggest ESC hits, unexpected song gems from the contest's history, current contributions from this year's lineup, and FM4 tracks fitting the Eurovision Song Contest theme.
The Eurovision Song Contest on ORF ON, ORF KiDS, and Online
ORF ON brings the Eurovision Song Contest to the fans: live, up close, and available anytime. All live shows and comprehensive ESC programs are available live and for watching later on ORF ON, along with an extensive ESC video collection.
„ZIB KiDS“ (6:00 and 7:50 AM on ORF 1, 6:55 PM on ORF KiDS) dedicates an entire week to the Song Contest, explaining clearly and informatively from kids' perspectives how the world's largest music competition works and connects people from different countries. On Wednesday, May 13, „ZIB KiDS“ is at the country market with specialties from participating countries. Additionally: What connection does the ESC have with Europe?
With intriguing stories about the world's largest TV entertainment event, exclusive interviews, pictures, and videos, live tickers during shows, and a social wall with posts from the entire ESC universe, the ORF website https://songcontest.ORF.at/ provides a comprehensive view of events. The newly launched ORF site for the ESC is the main information source for the Eurovision Song Contest.
And also on social media, users are provided with diverse content about acts, shows, and events. Hosts Felicia Lu Kürbiß, Josefine Palla, and Paul Pongratz have been engaging fans worldwide with colorful ESC universe content for months and will continue during the show week with creative content on Instagram and TikTok social media platforms.
(May 08, 2026)