Austria’s national broadcaster ORF has released detailed information about the two semifinals and the grand final of Eurovision 2026, including the structure of the shows, interval performances, and invited artists, reports Baltimore Chronicle via Eurovision. The upcoming contest will mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and is expected to attract a global television audience.
The grand final, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, will begin with a сюжетна концепція tied to JJ’s winning performance of Wasted Love in Basel. According to the сценарій, the symbolic paper boat from that performance was accidentally left in Switzerland and begins a journey along the Rhine and Danube rivers, crossing parts of the Eastern Alps before arriving in Vienna as part of the opening sequence.
The opening act, titled The Queen of the Night, will feature JJ performing live, highlighting the vocal abilities that secured Austria’s victory at Eurovision 2025. The number will combine elements inspired by Mozart with JJ’s own musical style and will include more than 40 dancers and acrobats. All 25 finalists will also be present on the stage of Wiener Stadthalle during the opening.
During the voting segment, three interval performances are planned. One of the central acts, Celebration!, will feature selected Eurovision stars performing well-known songs from the contest’s history as part of the anniversary program. Austrian electro-swing performer Parov Stelar will then present a large-scale visual show. The interval segment will conclude with a performance of Vienna by Billy Joel, delivered by Cesár Sampson, who previously represented Austria at Eurovision in Portugal, leading into the announcement of the final results.
Acting ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher stated that preparations for the event are progressing on schedule as production moves closer to the arena stage phase at Wiener Stadthalle. She confirmed that nine shows, including three live televised broadcasts, are planned as part of the anniversary edition.
The first semifinal, set for Tuesday, May 12, will open with a time-themed segment reflecting Eurovision’s 70-year history as a story of love. This concept will be presented through a film depicting the life of a couple against the backdrop of the contest. A choir of 70 performers will open the show with a tribute to L’amour est bleu, a song associated with Vienna’s first time hosting Eurovision in 1967.
An interval act titled Kangaroo will feature hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski in a musical and comedic performance addressing the differences between Austria and Australia. They will be joined by Go-Jo, known as the Milkshake Man, who represented Australia at Eurovision 2025 in Basel.
The second semifinal will open with a performance by Eurovision 2025 winner JJ, who will present a new song to the audience.
ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz stated that the Vienna edition will combine Austrian cultural elements with the diversity of the Eurovision Song Contest under the concept of a large-scale show, expressing expectations of strong engagement from audiences across Europe and worldwide.
Additional segments prepared for the live broadcasts include Professor Eurovision, where an expert resembling host Victoria Swarovski will answer unconventional questions about the contest, and Eurovision Quiz, hosted by Michael Ostrowski, featuring unexpected clips from the previous 69 editions of Eurovision.
The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra will also play a prominent role in the grand final, having contributed to the musical production and set to perform live on stage.
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