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.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. EUROVISION SONG CONTEST (ESC) VENUE

2. VENUE WITH MOTTO BANNER: United by Music

3. ESC FLAGS

4. VARIOUS OF SECURITY FENCING READY TO PUT UP

5. SECURITY CAMERA

6. VARIOUS OF CONCRETE SECURITY BARRIERS

VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 11, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

7. VARIOUS OF EUROVISION COMMAND CENTRE AT VIENNA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (German) NATIONAL POLICE FORCE VICE PRESIDENT OF VIENNA, DIETER CSEFAN, SAYING:

"On the main days here during the Eurovision Song Contest – that is, on the opening night, the semi-finals and the final – we also have the so-called specialist unit on duty in this room. The specialist unit comprises experts from the City of Vienna, other emergency services, rescue organisations, as well as the Austrian armed forces representatives from the City Council and the City of Vienna."

9. VARIOUS OF EUROVISION COMMAND CENTRE AT VIENNA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (German) NATIONAL POLICE FORCE VICE PRESIDENT OF VIENNA, DIETER CSEFAN, SAYING:

"Finally, I would like to add that we, the Vienna police, will continue to be on duty around the clock, 24/7, throughout the week, and will ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna remains a peaceful and safe celebration of joy and music. Thank you."

VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

11. CONCRETE SECURITY BARRIER IN ROAD

12. TRAFFIC SIGN

13. VENUE WITH SECURITY CONCRETE IN FRONT

14. VARIOUS OF POLICE VAN IN FRONT OF VENUE

15. VENUE

16. UNITED BY MUSIC LOGO

17. SECURITY FENCING

18. CONCRETE BOLLARD WITH POLICE SIGN ON

19. VARIOUS OF BARRIER FENCING

20. VARIOUS OF CONCRETE BOLLARDS AND FENCING AROUND VENUE