18 May 2025  Austria has emerged victorious at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, with countertenor JJ capturing the hearts of Europe with his powerful ballad "Wasted Love." The artist, whose unique voice blends classical finesse with contemporary emotion, secured 258 jury points and 178 televote points, surpassing strong contenders from Israel and Estonia. With this victory, Austria will once again host the world's largest music competition in 2026 — a decade after Vienna last staged the event in 2015. JJ: A Voice Beyond ConventionJJ, hailed for his remarkable vocal range and emotionally resonant performances, was selected in March as Austria's Eurovision representative. His artistic journey is marked by a fearless blending of tradition and innovation — qualities that shine through in "Wasted Love." As he told the press after his win, "Liebe ist niemals verschwendet – sie ist die stärkste Kraft der Welt" (Love is never wasted — it is the strongest force in the world). With this message, JJ has added a new chapter to Austria's Eurovision history, following in the footsteps of legends like Udo Jürgens and Conchita Wurst.Where Will ESC 2026 Take Place?While it is confirmed that Austria will host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, the exact location remains undecided. Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, and other cities are expected to compete for the honor. Regardless of where the stage is ultimately built, one thing is certain: the contest represents a major opportunity for Austrian tourism and international visibility.Tourism and Economic ImpactTourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner emphasized the event's potential: "JJ has enchanted Europe. If the ESC 2026 takes place in Austria, it would open a new chapter — for music, for tourism, and for our international image." She pointed to 2015 as a benchmark, when the event brought approximately €30 million in direct revenue to Vienna and attracted over 100,000 guests, generating global media attention worth hundreds of millions.Recent figures from the 2025 host city, Basel, underscore the event's magnitude. There, the Eurovision Song Contest reportedly created a €64 million economic impact, driven largely by hotel bookings, gastronomy, and infrastructure investments. Hotel occupancy during the ESC week reached 95%, with bookings soaring by 280% compared to the previous year. Walter Veit, president of the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV), shared this optimism, stating that the Eurovision Song Contest is not only a cultural celebration but also a major advertising opportunity on a global scale. He emphasized that wherever the event is held in Austria, it would highlight the country's hospitality and give a significant boost to the tourism sector. The Price of the SpotlightWhile the benefits are evident, so are the costs. Hosting Eurovision is a substantial financial undertaking. In 2015, the event in Vienna was estimated to cost around €35 million, with ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) covering approximately €18.7 million, later reduced to €13.5 million through higher-than-expected revenues. The city of Vienna invested €1 million in additional marketing, and the required Stadthalle renovations came in below the projected €8.9 million budget.For 2026, early projections suggest a budget of up to €64 million, though this would be divided among ORF, the host city, sponsors, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Despite these figures, examples like Basel indicate that with careful planning, the return on investment can significantly exceed the outlay. A Strategic Investment Amid AusterityAustria is currently facing fiscal tightening, with a new "Sparpaket" (austerity package) announced earlier this week. Nonetheless, many view Eurovision as a long-term investment rather than a burden. Such an event has the power to stimulate job creation, infrastructure upgrades, and international cultural exchange. The event is expected to boost not only tourism, but also Austria's music exports, creative industries, and national branding. From hotels and transportation to local artisans and media professionals, many sectors will benefit.In a time of economic prudence, Austria's hosting of Eurovision 2026 may well be remembered not just as a celebration of music, but as a catalyst for innovation, unity, and prosperity — a shared spotlight that shines far beyond the stage. Image: JJ wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 for Austria with his song 'Wasted Love.' With 258 points from international juries and 178 points from the public vote, he secured first place ahead of Israel and Estonia. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Austria in 2026. In the image: JJ celebrates his victory for Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Photo: © ORF/Roman Zach-Kiesling. |