Attachments
20 May 2025
Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Austria wins – and reminds the world why it is the land of music
Tags: Austria, Music, Music Festival, Eurovision, Culture
12 points go to... Austria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time - and will host it in 2026.
With JJ’s impressive victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Austria once again takes center stage in Europe's musical spotlight. Eleven years after the legendary performance of Conchita Wurst, the country has reaffirmed itself as a platform for diversity, emotion, and artistic excellence – and demonstrated its deep-rooted cultural connection to music.
With JJ’s impressive victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Austria once again takes center stage in Europe's musical spotlight. Eleven years after the legendary performance of Conchita Wurst, the country has reaffirmed itself as a platform for diversity, emotion, and artistic excellence – and demonstrated its deep-rooted cultural connection to music.
24-year-old countertenor JJ (real name Johannes Pietsch) known for his classical training from and regular performances at the Vienna State Opera, captivated audiences with his song “Wasted Love”, a powerful blend of opera, pop, and electronic elements. His dramatic black-and-white staging on the high seas and outstanding vocal performance resonated with both international juries and viewers alike. With a total of 436 points, JJ secured Austria’s third Eurovision win, following victories in 1966 and 2014.
Music as cultural heritage and lived reality
Austria has long been recognized as the land of music. Composers of global renown – from Mozart and Haydn to Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, and Liszt – have shaped the country’s musical legacy. In 2025, Austria proudly celebrates the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II, the “Waltz King,” whose works are known the world over. In Austria, music is not just an event – it is a way of life, a cultural identity that bridges the past and present.
“JJ’s ESC win in 2025 marks yet another moment in which the eyes of the world turn to Austria – a moment that illustrates the power of music to shape society and define our cultural voice,” says Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, CEO Austria Tourism. “It is a symbol of what Austria represents internationally: artistic brilliance, cultural depth, and a confident, open-minded outlook.”
Austria looks forward to welcoming music lovers from around the world
As the host country of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Austria will again take the spotlight in the international music scene next year. “We already look forward to welcoming the many music-loving guests and ESC-fans from Australia who will travel to Austria to be part of this extraordinary event or who simply like to discover Austria’s rich musical and cultural offerings throughout the year”, adds Lilly Freudmayer, Market Representative Australia for Austria Tourism.
ESC 2026: A Celebration with Wider Impact
The excitement surrounding JJ’s win goes far beyond the stage. Events like the Eurovision Song Contest not only celebrate creativity and unity – they also bring tangible value to their host countries.
When Austria last hosted the ESC in 2015, the event attracted more than 100,000 international guests, generated over 20,000 additional overnight stays in Vienna, and contributed more than €38 million in gross value added to the economy. Over 500 new jobs were created as a result. Even more remarkable was the media impact: Austria’s international advertising reach during the contest soared into the high triple-digit million euro range – a level of exposure rarely achievable through traditional campaigns.
In addition, Austria set an important precedent in 2015 by making the ESC its first major certified Green Event – demonstrating that even large-scale international events can be conducted with sustainability at their core.
Now with ESC 2026 on the horizon, Austria is ready to unite performance, purpose, and tourism potential. Visitors can look forward not only to the excitement of Eurovision, but also to experiencing the country’s rich musical heritage, vibrant lifestyle, and renowned hospitality in every corner of the land of music.
For additional information please contact:
Lilly Freudmayer
Market Representative Australia
lilly.freudmayer@austria.info
Please take note on the below information about JJ's photo:
Validity: 1 year only.
Use for PR purposes includes the right of the licensee to pass on the image to third parties (e.g. daily newspapers, magazines, online publications) for editorial use only. In the event of digital distribution/transfer to third parties (e.g. download area of a website, sending of printable data via email), the contractual partner must indicate the expiry date of the period of royalty-free use (expiry date) by marking this directly on the image or in the digital file information. Furthermore, it must be noted that APA-PictureDesk is entitled to a fee after this period.
