ORF presents the latest updates on the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna
ORF gave updates on the world’s biggest TV music show at a press conference on November 18, 2025 – including first production of the postcards, information on volunteers and ticketing as well as on the Austrian pre-selection “Vienna Calling”.
Roland Weißmann, Director General of the ORF. Stated “The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is something very special. We are working flat out to inspire all of Europe, to offer unique shows and a celebration for everyone. We are focusing on togetherness and want to create special shared moments,”.
Postcards combine tradition with innovation
The postcards have a long tradition at the Eurovision Song Contest. Originally intended as filler between musical acts, they are now much more than that: they have become important artistic elements of the shows and put the host country and the performers in the spotlight.
Gebhardt Productions was commissioned to produce the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Their concept combines real-life location shots in Austria with studio recordings of the artists, which are then layered on top of each other. This creates unique worlds of experience: from a chairlift “flying” over snow-covered mountain ridges, to a micro-sized artist wandering through forests and meadows, marvelling at oversized plants, to the performers walking across spectacular skylines. In addition, a real postcard will be printed for each postcard film and made available to the public. This has a historical connection to Austria, as the first postcard was invented in 1868 by Emanuel Herrmann from Carinthia.
“In our postcards, we showcase Austria at its most beautiful and exciting using modern visual language and a concept that offers diverse opportunities to involve artists. As a special feature, their ‘postcards’ can then also be sent as real postcards all over the world,” says Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, Program Director of the ORF.
Filming for the postcards began in October to showcase Austria in as many seasons as possible. The performances will be filmed later in a studio. The team carefully selects images that suit each artist, allowing them to personalize the postcards through their choice of props and their performance.
ORF is looking for 800 volunteers
Michael Krön, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest.stated “Volunteers shine with enthusiasm and are an indispensable ambassador for the world’s biggest TV music competition every year. The Eurovision Song Contest offers the unique opportunity to become part of an international family, to meet like-minded people from all over the world and to be part of something big together,”
The registration process for volunteers begins on December 1st, with up to 800 volunteers sought to be part of the event. Those interested can already register for information directly on the website song contest.ORF.at. The selected volunteers will then be present from April 27th to May 17th, 2026, at the press centre, information desks, the Vienna City Hall, City Hall Square, or the airport.
1,600 applicants for stand-in auditions
There are already 1,600 applicants from around the world for the stand-in proformers. These are professional performers who stand in for artists or presenters to test routines, check positions and show elements, and make improvements. From this large pool, 680 professional dancers and 120 professional singers will be invited to the auditions. Ultimately, 30 artists will be selected to participate as stand-in performers at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest and will be partly responsible for the show’s flawless execution.
Multi-stage ticketing system
Interest in the shows is enormous. Therefore, a regulated, fair, and secure ticket sales process is crucial. The Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna will again utilize a proven multi-stage ticketing system, with a registration, activation, and ticket sales phase. Detailed information will be available on November 24, 2025, on the websites and social media accounts of the EBU and ORF.
Dual environmental certification
For the world’s largest TV music festival, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) is aiming for dual environmental certification: “Green Event” and “Green Producing in Film and Television”. The focus is on energy, mobility, waste, and sustainable procurement – from efficient travel and logistics planning to energy-saving lighting concepts and reusable cups at the events.
TV music festival for everyone
The Eurovision Song Contest will be a music festival for everyone, and ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) wants to send a strong message in support of people with disabilities. All songs will be produced with musical sign language interpretation. The shows will be subtitled, audio-described, and the TV segments will be translated into Austrian Sign Language. Accessibility will also be a priority at the events themselves, and comprehensive services will be provided at the event venues.
Eurovision
As announced by the EBU in August, the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna following JJ’s victory for Austria with “Wasted Love” in Basel. Both semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, while the Grand Final will take place on May 16. The contest will be hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle, the same venue used in 2015, which can accommodate up to 16,000 spectators.
Source: Eurovision
