Music Strict rules for flags at the ESC due to fire in Crans-Montana
The fire disaster in Crans-Montana in Valais also has an impact on the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Only flammable flags are permitted at the event in mid-May. In addition to tickets, fans must also present certificates for the flags.
11.04.2026, 14:58
SDA
The audience at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna will only be allowed to wave flammable flags and bunting. The official ticket distributor of the ESC, Oeticket, justified this with stricter fire safety rules following the fire disaster in the "Le Constellation" bar in the Valais ski resort of Crans-Montana. On New Year's Eve, 41 people died in the fire and more than 115 were injured.
For this reason, fans will only be allowed to bring flags to the ESC shows in May if they can present certificates for the prescribed fire safety standards when entering the Vienna Stadthalle, as a spokeswoman for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) told the German Press Agency.
The music competition will be held in Austria to mark the 70th anniversary of the ESC, after the Austrian countertenor JJ won in Basel last year. The approximately 90,000 tickets for the semi-final and final shows as well as the preliminary performances have been practically sold out since January.
