Eurovision Heads to Asia with New 2026 Song Contest

The Eurovision Song Contest has announced the launch of its first-ever Asia edition, marking a major expansion of the globally renowned music competition.

The new event, titled Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, will hold its inaugural grand final in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 14, 2026, as part of celebrations marking the contest’s 70th anniversary.

Organised by the European Broadcasting Union, the competition will feature artists from at least 10 Asian countries, including Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. More countries are expected to join ahead of the final.

Each participating country will select its representative through national competitions, following the traditional Eurovision format.

Organisers say the expansion aims to showcase Asia’s rich cultural diversity and musical talent while maintaining Eurovision’s long-standing theme of unity through music. The region represents a potential audience of over 600 million people, making it one of the contest’s most ambitious projects to date.

Bangkok was chosen as the host city due to its reputation as a vibrant cultural hub and its ability to bring together diverse creative communities.

The move comes after years of failed attempts to establish an Asian version of Eurovision, as well as the short-lived American edition launched in 2022. Analysts say the Asia expansion could significantly boost the contest’s global reach, though organisers acknowledge that regional political tensions could pose challenges.