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Wien — With just hours to go before the grand opening of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna is putting the finishing touches on what will become one of the city’s largest public festival zones: the Eurovision Village on Rathausplatz. Despite the hammering, lifting, and last‑minute installations still underway on Friday afternoon, ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher and Mayor Michael Ludwig assured the public that everything will be ready for Sunday’s opening ceremony.
“The city is ready, we are ready,” Thurnher declared during a media tour of the sprawling site, which covers up to 100,000 square meters in the heart of Vienna.
A City-Center Festival Zone Takes Shape
Even in its unfinished state, the layout of the Eurovision Village is already recognizable. Stands, karaoke corners, interactive entertainment areas, and—most prominently—the large semicircular main stage in front of the Rathaus are in place.
The event’s commercial dimension is also visible: Austrian and international brands have set up shop across the grounds. Culinary offerings will blend local and global flavors—“because in Vienna, nothing works without good food,” Ludwig noted.
Both Ludwig and Thurnher emphasized that Vienna’s hosting aims to showcase the city as a place of community, openness, and cultural exchange.
“A Calling Card to the World”
The mayor described the Eurovision week as an opportunity to present Vienna as a city of togetherness and Austria as a welcoming host nation.
“We will send a calling card from Vienna and Austria to the world,” Ludwig said.
With around 100 side events planned across the city, the Eurovision Village is expected to become the second major hotspot after the main competition venue, the Stadthalle.
Thurnher praised the Rathausplatz as a proven event location and highlighted the ambition to create a “large zone of encounter” accessible to everyone. The program includes 80 hours of live stage entertainment, all free of charge.
Strict Security, Full Accessibility
Visitors should prepare for tight security measures. Due to partial closures of the Ringstraße on key event days—opening ceremony, semifinals, and the final—entry procedures will be controlled and regulated. “Just strolling in with bags and backpacks won’t be possible,” officials warned.
The “Turquoise Carpet” and Public Viewing Zones
At the center of the square, barriers already outline the narrow corridor where the Turquoise Carpet will be rolled out. On Sunday afternoon, all 35 participating acts will walk this route before the official Opening Ceremony inside the Rathaus.
Two long, roofed structures will shade the artists’ path and house large screens, ensuring that even fans standing farther back can enjoy the spectacle. These screens will also serve as public viewing stations throughout the week.
ORF’s New Glass Studio Opens
On the Ringstraße side of the Village stands the ORF’s new glass broadcast studio, a transparent cube housing both radio and television operations. From here, ORF will deliver around 100 hours of programming during Eurovision week.
Thurnher described the studio’s design as a “statement of openness.” ORF TV will broadcast with views either toward the city or the Rathaus, while Ö3, Ö1, and FM4 will also operate from the site.
Vienna Braces for a Weeklong Eurovision Celebration
With roughly 300 workers racing to complete the setup, the city is gearing up for an influx of up to 100,000 fans. By Sunday evening, the Eurovision Village is expected to transform into a vibrant, international festival zone—one that blends music, culture, and the unmistakable flair of Vienna.
- source: vienna.at/picture: eurovision.wien.gv.at
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