SWR3 ESC Party for the Eurovision Song Contest final
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe
Starts at 7:00 PM, doors open at 5:30 PM
Celebrate, cheer, and get excited together—experience the Eurovision Song Contest like never before with SWR3 and be part of the biggest public viewing event in southwestern Germany!
On May 16, 2026, the Schwarzwaldhalle in Karlsruhe will transform into a true ESC party zone. Up to 3,500 fans can watch the ESC final up close on the giant LED screen. Real ESC stars will provide the perfect warm-up: Michael Schulte and Abor & Tynna will perform live on stage before everyone heads into the final together. SWR3 host Sebastian “Basti” Müller and SWR3 DJ Josh Kochhann will keep the energy high at the mic and turntables.
A special highlight:
Starting at 8:15 p.m., there will be live coverage of the official ESC Countdown Show with Barbara Schöneberger in Vienna—so you can cheer on the show directly from Karlsruhe on ARD!
Tickets
Tickets are available for 10 EUR, including VAT, advance booking fee, and the KVV combination ticket, from the SWR Ticket Service at SWR3tickets.de, by phone at +49 7221 300 300, as well as at the Karlsruhe Tourist Information Office and all known ticket outlets.
“ESC – The Final from Vienna”
With around 160 million viewers, the Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s biggest music spectacle. In 2026, SWR will take the lead in organizing the ESC on ARD for the first time.
“On May 16, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. on Das Erste and in the ARD Media Library, and starting at 8:15 p.m. with the countdown show on Das Erste, live from Vienna.
Frequently asked questions
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The SWR3 ESC Party for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final will take place on May 16, 2026, at the Schwarzwaldhalle in Karlsruhe. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event starts at 7:00 p.m.
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Real Eurovision stars will provide the perfect warm-up for the big Eurovision Song Contest final from Vienna: Michael Schulte and Abor & Tynna will take the stage live in Karlsruhe before heading to the final together. SWR3 host Sebastian “Basti” Müller and SWR3 DJ Josh Kochhann will keep the energy high at the mic and turntables.
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Tickets are available for 10 EUR, including VAT, advance booking fee, and the KVV combination ticket, from the SWR Ticket Service at SWR3tickets.de, by phone at +49 7221 300 300 and at the Karlsruhe Tourist Information and at all known ticket outlets.