ORF unveils the guest performers for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest
On Thursday 19 March, broadcaster ORF headed to the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the Wiener Stadthalle, to present details about the three Live Shows of Vienna 2026. Specially developed opening and interval acts are all set to deliver a spectacular programme of entertainment across the two Semi-Finals and the Grand Final on 12 | 14 | 16 May.
The seven-decade history of the Eurovision Song Contest will be playing a prominent role as viewers tune in to see how the 70th edition unfolds.
From Basel 2025 winner JJ, to a special ‘Eurovision Allstar’ Celebration!, here are all details that ORF have unveiled:
The Grand Final
At the start of the Grand Final on Saturday 16 May, viewers learn that the iconic paper boat from JJ’s performance of Wasted Love in Basel has been accidentally left behind in Switzerland and must travel along the Rhine and the Danube, crossing much of the Eastern Alps, before finally arriving in Vienna… Just in time for the spectacular opening that ORF has planned.
In the opening act The Queen of the Night, JJ gets to showcases the remarkable vocal abilities that helped secure Austria Eurovision victory in 2025. As he seamlessly blends Mozart-inspired elements with his own music, more than 40 dancers – as well as acrobats – will accompany the performance. At the same time, the 25 Grand Finalists will be introduced at the Wiener Stadthalle.
During the voting period, three interval acts will take the stage to entertain audiences watching at home and in the arena.
In Celebration!, a top-secret selection of ‘Eurovision Allstars’ will perform iconic songs from the Contest’s history in what will be a big highlight of the 70th anniversary celebrations.
Afterwards, Austrian electro-swing icon Parov Stelar will bring his distinctive dance sound and striking visuals to the stage. Finally, a soulful version of Billy Joel’s Vienna, performed by Austrian Eurovision legend César Sampson, will lead viewers into the all-important results of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest.
The Semi-Finals
On Tuesday 12 May, the First Semi-Final will open with a journey through time, demonstrating that the seven-decade history of the Eurovision Song Contest represents 70 Years of Love: a film that portrays the life of a couple set against the backdrop of the world’s biggest live music show.
A 70-member choir will then launch the First Semi-Final with a tribute to L’amour Est Bleu – one of the most popular Eurovision hits of all time. The song was performed when the city of Vienna first hosted the Contest, in 1967.
While the votes are coming in, the interval act Kangaroo will see our hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski finally settle how to easily distinguish Austria from Australia, via a light-hearted musical performance. They will be joined by the Milkshake Man, Go-Jo, who represented Australia at Basel 2025!
The hosting duo of Victoria and Michael will return to the stage on Thursday 14 May to opens the Second Semi-Final together – this time with a performance of the 2025 winning song, JJ’s Wasted Love. However, not everything goes to plan…
Then, during the interval act of the Second Semi-Final, JJ will take the stage to present viewers with a brand-new song of his.
ORF has plenty more planned during the three Live Shows, including Professor Eurovision, where an expert bearing a striking resemblance to host Victoria Swarovski answers questions about the Eurovision Song Contest that no one has ever asked, and Eurovision Quiz, where Michael Ostrowski will test participants’ knowledge with some surprising clips from the 69 Eurovision Song Contests to have been broadcast so far.
At the Grand Final, a special role will be played by the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, which has contributed music and will also appear on stage.
At the media briefing at the Wiener Stadthalle, Interim ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher said:
“I am very pleased that preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest are fully on schedule as we approach the move into the Wiener Stadthalle, and that we are now able to present our show elements. I am confident that we will bring nine outstanding shows to the stage – including three live TV shows – and that we will more than do justice to the 70th anniversary of the world’s largest television entertainment event.”
ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz added:
“In Vienna, we are combining Austrian culture with the diversity of the Eurovision Song Contest – all under the motto ‘The Big Show!’. I am looking forward to celebrating this 70th anniversary and am confident that we will inspire audiences across Europe and around the world.”