Eurovision Launches Asian Edition: Bangkok to Host Inaugural Event with 10 Nations

Eurovision Song Contest Asia is Announced

According to Главком: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the creation of Eurovision Song Contest Asia, a new pan-continental music competition. Its first edition is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. This launch coincides with the 70th anniversary of the original Eurovision Song Contest. The event will be organized by a consortium including Channel 3, the EBU, Voxovation, and S2O Productions.

Goals and Confirmed Participants

The Eurovision Song Contest Asia aims to unite a region with a population exceeding 600 million people. Ten countries have officially confirmed their participation so far. Each participating broadcaster will select its representative through a national selection process. The confirmed nations are:

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Nepal
• Thailand
• The Philippines
• South Korea

Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a representative of the organizing body, noted that Bangkok is a city where tradition and innovation do not compete but collaborate. Martin Österdahl, the EBU's Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, emphasized that the Asian version marks a new chapter, designed to reflect the voices, identity, and ambitions of this talent-rich region. This expansion follows the established model of the Eurovision Song Contest, which has long been a major platform for cultural exchange in Europe.

Peter Settman added that the project's goal is to create a show that genuinely reflects Asian identity and creative energy.

Consequently, Eurovision Song Contest Asia is poised to become a significant event for Asia's music community, providing a major platform for talented artists from across the region. The contest seeks not only to popularize music but also to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding among Asian nations, potentially having a positive impact on the development of the region's entertainment industry.