Opinion: How Eurovision Could Affect the World’s Largest Hi-Fi Show

The most important event on the annual international show calendar for our industry, show organisers, High-End Society, announced in September 2024 that it would move its flagship High-End Show to Vienna's premier ACV venue, May 28-31.

All great news, at least until the Saturday evening of this year's event. While enjoying after-show beverages in one of Munich's many bars, local and international guests could not avoid the broadcast of the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest, which is a pretty big deal for that part of the world. What unfolded was quite unexpected, and the outcome has created much uncertainty for the world's largest hi-fi show in 2026.

Austria's Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, ultimately emerged victorious with the song "Wasted Love". Following tradition, Austria, and most likely its capital city, Vienna, will therefore host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

Within hours of the grand final, anyone following hotel prices in Vienna, and we have since High End Society's Vienna announcement, would have seen accommodation prices in the capital skyrocket or become simply unavailable.

High End Show Vienna is scheduled for May 28-31, and while Eurovision dates are not yet announced, it is usually held mid-to-late May each year. According to Eurovisionworld.com, the most possible dates are 12-16 May 2026. However, due to scheduling considerations, venue availability, and other logistical challenges, it could be 19-23 or even fall on the same week as the High End Show, spanning 26-30 May 2026.

The logistics involved with organising and exhibiting at the High End Show are no small feat. Many exhibitors we spoke to in Munich reported they had not yet committed to Vienna, and as such, most had not yet booked accommodation. Given that the show attracts more than 500 exhibitors and more than 20,000 attendees worldwide, even if the dates of these two significant events do not directly clash, it could present difficulties for those wanting to plan well ahead.

Eurovision is not a four-day event as the television broadcast may indicate; the preparations and rehearsals can run for at least six weeks. However, if workable dates are found and the event overlap can be timed and managed precisely, High End Vienna may benefit from the influx of international visitors and media in town. We can only hope Eurovision announces its venues and dates soon and show organisers can confirm its dates are proceeding as scheduled.

All we know is we love the High End Show and acknowledge its importance as the annual show for our industry worldwide. As show organisers (albeit on a tiny scale, by comparison), we sympathise with the situation and look forward to a quick resolution for all concerned.

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