Eurovision 2026: A Historic 3,000-Drone Show
Long live Eurovision’s 70th anniversary! On the evening of Monday, April 27, 2026, a 3,000-drone show took place in Vienna. It was a first for Austria, following the Vatican on September 13, 2025.
The show was created through a collaboration between the Eurovision production team, Austrian radio station Hitradio Ö3, and drone show provider Cyberdrone.
In this article, I explain how the drone show pays tribute to the contest and to Austria’s three Eurovision Song Contest winners. You will also discover who Cyberdrone is, along with its founder and director. Enjoy this look back at a spectacular show in pictures.
3,000-Drone Show for Eurovision 2026
- Birth of the Drone Show Project
- 3,000-light-drone show scenario
- Opening like a symphony of light
- Music and movement by Udo Jürgens
- Conchita Wurst’s Phoenix Figure
- JJ’s Eurovision Heart
- Unity in the Sky of Eurovision 2026
- Short version of the Eurovision 2026 drone show
- Eurovision 2026: The full 3,000-drone show
- Cyberdrone, a Drone Company Driven by Passion
- Learn more (in French)
- Commentaires
Birth of the Drone Show Project
A promise of joy, unity, and celebration, Cyberdrone aimed to make spectators feel part of a shared dream—namely, the 70th anniversary of the song contest, celebrated alongside Austria’s winning artists.
The goal was to create a magical moment: one in which music, light, and technology come together, and where Eurovision becomes more than just a competition. It becomes an experience—one that reminds us that music unites, and that differences fade into the sky.
3,000-light-drone show scenario
“The Cyberdrone team’s brief for Vienna was different: build a show that behaves like music rather than illustrates it,” Rafael Suárez explains in his Drone XL article. “The distinction matters. A show that pulses, pauses, and crescendos as an audiovisual organism is a different creative proposition than one that spells out a logo and draws a flag.”
Now imagine yourself in Vienna. Look up above the majestic Schönbrunn Palace. That is where the spectacular drone show for Eurovision 2026 took place. This landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best known as the residence of Empress Sisi, it is an iconic location.
You are standing in the Court of Honor. Your view of the drone show is perfect. Since 8:00 p.m., 4,500 people have gathered there to watch the 17-minute performance—an unforgettable spectacle.
Opening like a symphony of light
At 9:30 p.m., the show begins in the dark sky. A countdown appears. Orchestral music is inspired by a piece by Dorothée Freiberger.
Composed for the opening sequence of the Vienna competition. It was influenced by Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
The drones then form a circle. A rotating three-dimensional shape pulses, resembling a musical equalizer. The lights come on. Here, the dream begins…
Music and movement by Udo Jürgens
The drones dance to “Merci, Chérie” by Udo Jürgens. It was Austria’s first Eurovision victory, in 1966. The fleet of drones then forms a grand piano, surrounded by floating notes. Each note expresses a movement. Each rhythm becomes a trajectory. The light follows the sound. It is a dance made visible.
At the end of the piece, the ballet of firefly-like lights reshapes itself into a beating heart, before transforming into number 70, marking the contest’s anniversary.
Conchita Wurst’s Phoenix Figure
To the sound of “Rise Like a Phoenix,” a silhouette takes shape. Drones form their wings.
It is a tribute to Conchita Wurst, winner of the contest in 2014, and a reminder of freedom and authenticity.
The drone swarm then transforms into the Eurovision trophy.
JJ’s Eurovision Heart
The finale featured JJ’s winning song from Eurovision 2025, “Wasted Love.” The trophy dissolves into waves, and an origami paper boat appears. This is JJ’s visual signature.
Unity in the Sky of Eurovision 2026
Finally, a vibrant heart of light takes shape in the sky.
The drones then form the new Eurovision 2026 logo design.
It’s a message that we are all connected. Here’s to the 70th anniversary!
Short version of the Eurovision 2026 drone show
Set to the Eurovision 2026 theme music above Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace.
5 min 2 sec
Eurovision 2026: The full 3,000-drone show
Broadcast of the drone show, capturing the emotions of the audience from the VIP viewing area.
12 min 6 sec
Cyberdrone, a Drone Company Driven by Passion
Cyberdrone is a drone company, but it is more than just a technical service provider. It is a passion. A mission.
Since 2020, the company has been creating drone shows that tell stories. Its expertise is unique. Cyberdrone designs everything in-house: the drones, the software, and the aerial animations.
Is it benchmark? The world’s biggest events. According to its website, the company has worked in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Turkey, and Switzerland. Its work is widely recognized, but this will be its first performance in Austria.
Ivan Biriuk, Founder and CTO of Cyberdrone
Ivan Biriuk is a dreamer. He started in Russia, where he built drones. Then he learned how to program them. Very quickly, he saw the potential of these flying machines for the events industry.
His journey has been one of transformation—from engineer to innovator. He founded Cyberdrone in 2020 with a clear goal: to show that drones can be more than tools. They can also be artists.
Silvio Peruci, CEO of Cyberdrone and Business Development Lead
Silvio Peruci is a leader. He has worked in the digital applications industry, where he learned how to manage teams. He also quickly came to believe that drones could change the world.
His background is a blend of technology and leadership. For the past year, he has served as CEO of Cyberdrone and has begun transforming it into a global company.
Learn more (in French)
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