Eurovision Asia Officially Announced: Bangkok to Host Inaugural Contest in November 2026

The European Broadcasting Union announced the launch of Eurovision Asia on March 31, 2026, with the inaugural edition set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, and its grand final scheduled for November 14, 2026. Ten countries have already confirmed participation: South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The EBU stated it expects additional countries to join in the coming months. The announcement marks the first multi-country spin-off in the 70-year history of the Eurovision Song Contest. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU, framed the launch as a milestone tied directly to the contest's anniversary. „As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent” — Martin Green via BBC

Bangkok chosen as host after decades of failed attempts The Eurovision Asia edition will be organized by the EBU in collaboration with Voxovation, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, and S2O Productions, based in Thailand. Bangkok was selected as the host city, with Thai tourism officials welcoming the choice. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a senior official at the Thailand Tourism Authority, said the capital was a natural fit. „This city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life” — Chuwit Sirivajjakul via BBC The EBU noted that the competing countries represent a combined potential audience of 600 (million viewers) — potential audience across participating countries. Each country will be represented by a public or private broadcaster, with South Korea's participation handled through the paid broadcaster ENA, according to reporting by El País. The organizers said the event aims to connect people through music while reflecting the cultural identity of the region.

Nearly two decades of failed launches preceded this announcement The Eurovision Song Contest was first held in 1956, making it the world's longest-running international music competition, according to the BBC. Attempts to create an Asian version of the contest date back to at least 2008, when the EBU announced initial plans that were subsequently canceled, according to El País. A spin-off called the American Song Contest was launched in 2022 but failed to establish itself. Russia was banned from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, after which Moscow launched its own international song contest called Intervision, according to the BBC. The announcement of Eurovision Asia comes as the original contest faces one of its most politically charged editions in years. Five countries — Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland, according to Notícias ao Minuto — announced they would not participate in the 2026 Vienna edition due to Israel's inclusion. The EBU's Ordinary Assembly voted in December 2025 to allow Israel to compete, triggering the withdrawals. Spain's public broadcaster RTVE had previously warned it would boycott if Israel remained in the contest. Despite RTVE's absence, Spanish viewers will still be able to watch the Vienna final via the EBU's official YouTube channel, according to La Razón. The original Eurovision 2026 grand final is set for May 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.

Asia edition follows format rules of the original contest Eurovision Asia will follow the core format of the original contest, under which songs performed must be original compositions and lead vocals must be sung live, according to the BBC. Participating countries will first organize their own national selections before advancing to the Bangkok grand final. Green described the project as an evolution built in partnership with the region rather than an imposition of a European format. „This is about evolving Eurovision together in Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identity and ambition of the region, while respecting what has always made the contest special” — Martin Green via El País The EBU said it expects to expand the list of participating countries beyond the initial ten in the months ahead. The organization also expressed hope that the event would generate benefits for tourism, employment, and the local creative industry in Thailand, according to VRT NWS.

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