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Ahead of an estimated 200,000 people visiting Vienna as part of the Eurovision Song Contest, police have detailed the security measures they are undertaking – including responding to planned protests over Israel’s inclusion.
After JJ’s win at last year’s contest, the 2026 iteration is being held in the Austrian capital this week, with the Grand Final to be held at Wiener Stadthalle on May 16.
The 70th edition of Eurovision will see attendees travelling from over 70 countries, with 95,000 tickets sold for the live shows.
This year will mark the third time Vienna has hosted the competition, last doing so in 2015.
However, this time around, there is increased tension surrounding the contest after five countries – including one of the ‘Big Five’ – boycotted the contest over Israel’s participation.
Ahead of Eurovision 2026 kicking off – here’s what we know about the contest and how the city is preparing.
When is Eurovision 2026 and where in Vienna is it being held?
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be hosted in Vienna, Austria. Hosted by broadcaster ORF, the live shows will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle from May 12 to 16.
The key shows are the First Semi-Final on tonight, May 12, the Second Semi-Final on May 14, and the Grand Final on May 16.
Festivities surrounding the event will also include the EuroClub and Eurovision Village.
The shows will be hosted by Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, with Emily Busvine acting as the green room host.
How is the city preparing for potential protests?
Vienna Police have called Eurovision one of the biggest security events they have faced, with deputy police chief Dieter Csefan telling AFP it was a ‘complex challenge’.
A few days ago it was also reported the city was on ‘high alert’ ahead of the opening ceremony amid fears that it presented a prime target for terrorists.
Dr Nicolas Stockhammer, a counter-terror expert at the Danube University Krems, claimed that ISIS-inspired terrorists, Iran and its proxies, and ‘sleeper cells’ posed the greatest terror threat.
‘This kind of a massive event takes all necessary preparations … on site immediately, but also in preventing any potential terrorist plots,’ he told The Sun.
‘This requires international cooperation with intelligence services and law enforcement bodies, which is happening.
‘One major threat is potential attacks in the public viewing zones that are much more difficult to secure than the stadium site, which can be secured in a better manner, but also, there is always the possibility that a terrorist attack might happen.’
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Hundreds of security personnel and sniffer dogs have been deployed to create a ring of steel across the Austrian capital.
Police also said this week they expected protests against Israel’s participation in Eurovision to include ‘blockades and disruption attempts’.
Reuters has reported that a handful of demonstrations, mainly against but also in favour of Israel taking part, have been registered so far for next week. Attendance is estimated to reach up to 3,000 people.
‘We expect there will in fact be blockades and disruptive actions, particularly on the day of the final, whether through authorised or unauthorised gatherings,’ senior police officer Xenia Zauner told a press conference on Tuesday.
The eve of the final, Friday, May 15, is also Nakba Day, which sees Palestinians commemorate the loss of their land after the 1948 war at the birth of the state of Israel.
Zauner said that day has ‘great emotional significance for the pro-Palestine movement’.
Ahead of the contest police are preparing for a wide range of threats, with drones to be banned within 0.9 miles of sites including the stadium.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is also setting up a task force in New York next week that Austrian authorities can contact around the clock to address cyber threats, police said.
Csefan also said that Vienna Police had ‘experience in organising major events’ as the city is home to several international organisations and hosts many conferences.
Authorities have also vetted the 16,000 staff involved in running the contest, while equipment transported to the stadium has been meticulously scanned.
Those attending the live shows will also face international airport-level security screenings and can only bring small, transparent bags inside. There will be 500 security personnel deployed around the stadium each day.
Will you be watching Eurovision this year?
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Yes – I never miss it
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Not my thing
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I usually do – but I’m boycotting this year
Airport-style security will also be set up at a large fan area in front of city hall.
All flags brought to the venue must comply with Austrian safety standards regarding fire safety.
Although the ‘terrorism alert level’ in the country has been at the second-highest notch for more than two years, Csefan said there was no specific threat against the contest.
A spokesperson for Austria’s national broadcaster, ORF, told Metro that safety of participants is ‘the top priority’.
The statement continued: ‘In close coordination with the police and authorities, a comprehensive, multi-hundred-page security concept has been developed.
‘The strictest controls based on airport security standards apply at the Wiener Stadthalle. All accredited persons must undergo an official security vetting by the police. A strict no-bag policy applies to the audience.’
Assembiles and protests have been considered since ‘the beginning of the planning process’ and it is all part of routine preparation for major events. ‘Details of operational tactics are not published to protect the measures,’ the statement concluded.
Which countries are boycotting the contest this year?
Broadcasters from thirty-five countries will participate in the contest, however five pulled out.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain opted not to participate in protest at Israel’s inclusion in the context of the Gaza war, which was launched in retaliation for the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
Ireland’s RTÉ said it felt that its ‘participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk’.
Meanwhile Spanish broadcaster RTVE said the decision had increased its ‘distrust of the festival’s organisation’.
In a statement, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said that ‘participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us’.
Iceland said that ‘given the public debate in this country… it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RÚV in Eurovision’.
Late last year the contest’s 2025 winner Nemo also announced they would be handing back their trophy – stating that Eurovision was ‘repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing’.
Metro has contacted The Vienna Police Directorate and Austrian broadcaster ORF for additional comment.
This article was originally published on May 6, 2026.
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