'We will be on duty 24/7' say Vienna police ahead of Eurovision semi finals

Vienna steps up security with round-the-clock monitoring as it hosts the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals. Authorities prepare for a major influx of fans attending the week-long international music event.

Reuters

12 May 2026 at 08:55:51

'We will be on duty 24/7' say Vienna police ahead of Eurovision semi finals

Visit with one of the police units running security for Eurovision and a look at what they have planned to keep Vienna safe in Vienna, Austria, May 11, 2026.

Elisabeth Mandl/Reuters

Security fencing and protective concrete was in place on Tuesday (May 12) as Vienna woke up for the first of the Eurovision Song Contest semi finals.

Austrian authorities have comprehensive security preparations in place for the entirety of the week-long high-profile international event.

At a specially established command centre at Vienna police headquarters, National Police Force Vice President, Dieter Csefan, said police would be on the alert 24/7.

The command centre, equipped with multiple screens showing key Eurovision locations throughout Vienna, coordinates security operations while medical teams from the Workers' Samaritan Foundation stand ready to respond to any incidents, according to Austrian officials.

The city, which woke up to grey skies and rain, was still quiet, with fans to the first big singing session expected in the afternoon.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world are in town for the 70th edition of the song contest.

Production: Christine Uyanik, Anna Dittrich, Tanya Wood/Reuters