Vienna authorities have presented detailed security plans ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The Stadthalle, the event venue, will be transformed into a high-security zone. Key measures include a ban on bringing larger bags and backpacks, and mandatory passage through metal detector gates. Organizers assure that the priority is to ensure safety for all participants and spectators. The new rules are also intended to speed up entry procedures to the venue.
Bag and Backpack Ban
Organizers are introducing restrictive baggage regulations. Bags or backpacks exceeding specified dimensions will not be allowed onto the venue grounds. Detailed guidelines will be published closer to the contest date. Small document pouches will be permitted but will undergo detailed inspection. This aims to streamline the entry process and minimize threats.
Control Through Metal Detector Gates
All spectators, artists, and staff must pass through metal detector gates before entering the Stadthalle. This is a standard security measure at large mass events. The control will also apply to personal items. The procedure aims to prevent dangerous objects from being brought onto the venue grounds. Cooperation in this area will be ensured by local law enforcement services.
High-Security Zone
The entire Wiener Stadthalle complex will be surrounded and transformed into a high-security zone. This will include both the hall itself and adjacent areas. Advanced physical protection measures and monitoring will be implemented. Enhanced police surveillance will operate around the venue. Strict controls will already be in effect on the distant approaches to the hall.
Priority for Participants and Spectators
Organizers from the European Broadcasting Union emphasize that the main goal of the stricter regulations is the safety of all persons involved in the event. The new rules also aim to streamline logistics and avoid delays. Cooperation with Austrian authorities is intended to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan. Information for the public will be widely disseminated before the contest.
Vienna authorities and the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 have presented a comprehensive package of security measures ahead of the event planned for May. The main contest hall, Wiener Stadthalle, will be surrounded and transformed into a high-security zone. One of the most visible solutions for the public will be a ban on bringing bags and backpacks exceeding specified dimensions. Organizers emphasize that only small document pouches will be permitted, which will also be subject to inspection. The goal is to speed up the entry process to the venue and eliminate potential threats. The Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union since 1956, is one of the world's largest non-sporting television spectacles, attracting over 180 million viewers annually. Due to its scale and international character, it has for years required advanced and costly security measures, especially in the context of contemporary terrorist threats. A key element of control will be metal detector gates, which all spectators, artists, delegation members, and technical staff must pass through. Cooperation with local law enforcement services is intended to ensure the smooth operation of checkpoints. Enhanced police surveillance and monitoring will be implemented around the Stadthalle, including the distant approaches to the venue. The security plan was developed in close cooperation between the European Broadcasting Union and Austrian authorities, including the police and special services. Organizers assure that the priority of all undertaken actions is the safety of the thousands of participants, guests, and spectators gathered on-site, as well as the millions watching the broadcast. The new, stricter baggage regulations also aim to streamline logistics and avoid delays that could disrupt the course of the spectacle. Detailed guidelines and practical information for ticket holders will be published and distributed several weeks before the start of the contest.