Vienna Calling – Who will sing for Austria?
Udo Jürgens, Conchita Wurst and JJ – they have all made Eurovision history for Austria. Who will follow in their footsteps and represent Austria at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Vienna? For the first time since 2016, there will be a national pre-selection in which the TV audience can help decide who will compete for Austria. In the big prime-time show "Vienna Calling – Who will sing for Austria?", jury and audience will decide live on ORF 1 on Friday, February 20, 2026, who will represent our country at the Song Contest. Take your chance and apply by Thursday, October 15, 2025 – maybe you, or your group, will be Austria’s representative(s) at ESC 2026!
ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz:
"The ESC 2026 in Vienna is the biggest event to be held in Austria next year. Our declared goal is to involve and inspire the whole country. Now that the question of where the Eurovision Song Contest will take place has been settled, the focus is on who will take the stage for Austria. We want to make this decision together with our audience – everyone can have a say, and all artists can now apply to take part."
Who are we looking for?
Whether an English-language pop song, a German-language number or a catchy dialect hit – ORF is opening the stage to the entire musical landscape of Austria with a pre-selection as diverse as the Eurovision Song Contest itself. We are looking for twelve acts who, in addition to outstanding stage presence and impressive vocals, meet the following basic requirements:
- The song must not have been commercially released or performed before September 1, 2025 (this date also applies to performances or publication on social media)
- Minimum age of the performers: 16 years
- No more than six people may be on stage during the performance
- Each performer may represent only one country
- The entry must be performed live to a backing track (half-playback)
- The song must not exceed three minutes in length
- The song must be a creative work produced primarily without AI assistance
How to apply?
Artists, singers and bands with a suitable ESC song are invited to register at songcontest.ORF.at.
(September 08, 2025)