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Updated: 20th May 2025
My Eurovision 2025 split-screen suspense was (thankfully) far shorter than most. As I watched Austria’s incredibly talented JJ waiting to hear his final score, fireworks started popping off outside — arghhhh, our feed is delayed, was my first thought. Quickly followed by: am I in the 2026 Eurovision host city right now?
It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the majority with that immediate thought. Most fans quickly concluded that Eurovision will return to Vienna – JJ’s home city – in 2026, following the successful Eurovision 2015. Some online started pondering if Innsbruck, Austria’s fifth largest city, could host, given it has the venue and the recent Eurovision trend to move away from the capital. But I think there’s a lesser-internationally-known underdog city that would be the perfect host for Eurovision 2026: Graz.
Which cities have announced a bid to host Austria’s 2026 Eurovision?
So far, the most obvious Eurovision 2026 host city contender that has stated that it will make a bid is Vienna, Austria’s famous capital city. Innsbruck, as mentioned, has also expressed interest. Meanwhile, the cultural city of Linz and nearby Wels have said they will make a joint application, and the town of Oberwart has also hinted at applying. Other large Austrian cities, like Salzburg and Klagenfurt, have quickly declared that they won’t bid.
But Graz, Austria’s incredible second city, will also bid to host Eurovision 2026, and I think it would be the perfect pick.
Why Graz could and should be Austria’s Eurovision Host City 2026?
Before Vienna was eventually awarded Eurovision host city status in 2015, an original list of 12 proposed Austrian cities had been whittled down to three: Vienna, Innsbruck and Graz. Proof that the city’s application was strong enough regarding suitable venue, accommodation, tech and logistics.
Looking ahead to 2026, this is undoubtedly a good starting block for Graz’s bid. Plenty has changed in the world of Eurovision, too, since 2015. Most notably, in the last few years, the event hasn’t been hosted in the capital—Switzerland’s third-city Basel, Sweden’s second-city Malmo, and the UK’s fifth-city Liverpool have been host cities in the previous three years. Will that continue and give Graz the edge over Vienna? Only time will tell. But Graz gets my douze points – it’s a city with a lot to love.
Where would be the best place to stay for Eurovision 2026 if it was in Graz?
Graz’s Stadthalle is in a more modern city district called Jakomini. There are plenty of hotels within walking distance, including the Plaza Inn right across from it (all of these currently have free-cancellation options for the most likely dates, 12th-16th May 2026, by the way – though everything is fast booking out just in case it is in Graz).
Personally, I’d stay in another part of the city. Graz is pretty compact, so it’s easy to walk or cycle to most places. There’s no underground, but the tram network is decent, and trams stop directly outside the Stadthalle.
My picks would be around the Lend District (one of Graz’s artsy, trendy and LGBTQ-friendly areas) at my name-sake Hotel Daniel Graz (again, currently with free cancellation) or one of the other fantastic hotels around the city like Grand Hôtel Wiesler for a more swanky stay. There aren’t too many affordable places still available now, but slightly out-of-centre Hotel Steiermarkhof and TT-ROOMS are a bit cheaper and decent.
Which venue could Eurovision 2026 be hosted in?
If Graz’s bid to be the Eurovision 2026 host city is successful, the event will be held in the city’s state-of-the-art Stadthalle. The Stadthalle can accommodate around 14,000 people standing—a few thousand more than Basel’s 2025 venue.
The space also has a balcony area, and there is another adjacent and linked event venue next door – either could serve as a green room or VIP area. In terms of equipment and experience in hosting large events, Graz has it ticked—it was the European Capital of Culture in 2003 and has hosted multiple large-scale and international events.
Why Graz would be an incredible destination for Eurovision fans
I adore Graz. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world, and I’m writing this right now while sipping a spritz in the park, basking in the sunshine. It’s got a gloriously pretty UNESCO-listed Old Town with all the old-world Austrian charm you could want. It’s also a UNESCO City of Design, so there are abundant galleries, museums, and cultural events. You can read my (and other local’s) insider’s guide to Graz here.
The nightlife – once you know where to look – is pumping, with plenty of underground clubs, alternative venues, and a practically non-stop calendar of gigs and events. It’s also Austria’s food capital, and you’ll find first-class restaurants here with all kinds of cuisine, with vegans well catered for, too (Seriously, I’ve never had a bad meal in five visits).
It’s also one of Europe’s greenest and most sustainable cities, with mountains, lakes and breathtaking hikes spilling out from the city itself – it even has an urban winery – so a break from Eurovision madness isn’t far away. Spring is also an amazing time to be here for nature.
Plus, it’s far, far more affordable than Switzerland. And while accommodation always rockets for Eurovision, I find the prices in Graz to be very fair – you can get a pint for €4.50, for example, or a decent, well-cooked meal from €12. It would certainly be a welcome change from Sweden, Switzerland and the UK in recent years – and would be much better on the wallet than an Innsbruck Eurovision 2026.
The best part? The people. Grazers are incredibly friendly and welcoming and also very socially and sustainably minded – it’s the only Austrian city with a communist mayor. I think there would be this incredible atmosphere that would feel huge and international while being in a city small enough that everyone would be partaking.
