ESC Backstage: Students Right in the Thick of It
- 12.05.2026
- News Study Program
Students in the Sports, Culture, and Event Management degree program at Kufstein University of Applied Sciences in Tyrol, along with program director Monika Kohlhofer (front row, second from right), were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
Students in the Sports, Culture, and Event Management degree program at Kufstein University of Applied Sciences in Tyrol were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna - including a backstage tour, a practical project, and a research partnership.
When Europe’s biggest music event kicks off, students from the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol are right in the thick of it: As part of a field trip for a practical project, 50 students from all years of the Sports, Culture & Event Management degree program gained exclusive insights into the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
During an exclusive backstage tour of the Wiener Stadthalle, participants were able to experience the impressive scale of this international mega-event just before it began. While rehearsals and setup were underway, they gained a first-hand look at the organization, technical execution, and event management of one of the world’s largest TV productions. Particularly impressive were, among other things, the extensive security measures, the highly precise timing for live productions, the European Broadcasting Union’s state-of-the-art broadcasting technologies, and the logistical complexity of an international event of this magnitude.
“The scale, technical scope, and organizational complexity of this international event were extremely impressive and valuable for our students,” explains program director Assoc. Prof. (University of Applied Sciences) Mag. Monika Kohlhofer.
STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN TWO STUDIES
During Eurovision Week, students in the part-time master's degree program in Sports, Culture, and Event Management are actively participating in a practical project - a spin-off profitability study conducted in cooperation with the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) - that analyzes the economic impact of the major event. At the same time, the project team is supporting another WIFO study that examines whether major events such as the Song Contest increase the population’s sense of happiness.
Alumnus Jakob Traxler also has a special connection to Kufstein University of Applied Sciences: A graduate of the degree program, he is now part of the ESC organizing team as Head of Ticketing and played a key role in making these unique opportunities available to current students. “The alumni network that has grown over the past decades serves as a vital bridge between the degree program and international professional practice, opening up valuable career prospects for current students,” explains Kohlhofer.
The project clearly demonstrates how the hands-on education offered at Kufstein University of Applied Sciences in Tyrol can open doors internationally—from academic research and exclusive industry insights to concrete career opportunities in global event management.