Eurovision 2026: Stage design in Vienna unveiled

Austria has unveiled the stage for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Vienna, organizers announced on Tuesday, UNN reports.

Details

"On Tuesday, April 28, at the Wiener Stadthalle, Federal President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen officially opened the stage for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest," the organizers reported.

After the Austrian broadcaster ORF showed attendees a video demonstrating the two-week construction process, an impressive light show was staged, fully showcasing the technical capabilities of the Eurovision 2026 stage in Vienna, as well as the scale of creative possibilities it provides to the 35 participants for staging their performances.

Speaking at the opening, Federal President Van der Bellen described the world's largest entertainment show as a celebration of diversity.

"The Eurovision Song Contest shows how colorful our continent is. It shows what we can do and who we are, which is a great deal. No matter how different we are, thanks to the Eurovision Song Contest, we unite, even when coming from the most contrasting directions, as if crossing a bridge," he noted.

The Eurovision 2026 Stage in Figures

The construction of the stage, covering approximately 2,000 square meters and weighing 210 tons, took just under two weeks—partially working around the clock with double shifts. During peak hours, up to 300 people were simultaneously involved in assembling the stage and the lighting system.

This year's lighting installation is a technical innovation for the Eurovision Song Contest. The lighting rig consists entirely of energy-efficient LED and laser technologies. In total, 2,135 lighting fixtures, over 8,500 individually controlled LEDs, and 80 high-speed hoists for moving lights are being used.

The visual side of the contest also sets new standards: approximately 28 live broadcast cameras will be used in Hall D. For the first time, the entire camera system is based on the "ARRI Alexa 35 Cinematic LIVE Cameras" system, designed to create a new cinematic look.

Designed by Florian Wieder and Tim Routledge, the stage will host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be broadcast live to viewers on May 12, 14, and 16.

Since Friday, April 24, technical rehearsals with stand-ins for the 35 participants have been taking place at the Wiener Stadthalle, with up to 11 hours of rehearsal time daily.

Following the conclusion of the stage opening ceremony, rehearsals for the live show with the two hosts will begin. Starting Saturday, May 2, official stage rehearsals with the artists of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will commence.