The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the launch of a Eurovision Song Contest Asia. The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday, 14 November 2026. The expansion to Asia is EBU's first initiative to engage multiple countries on a continent other than Europe, according to major media reports.
Ten countries have confirmed participation in Eurovision Song Contest Asia: Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Participating countries will select their entries through national finals. According to major media reports, these countries represent over 600 million people, though it remains unknown which broadcasters from the ten participating countries have confirmed their involvement. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest at EBU, said the expansion feels especially meaningful as the contest celebrates its 70th anniversary, aiming to build something that reflects Asia's voices while staying true to the contest's spirit.
Now as we celebrate 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.
The expansion to Asia follows broader EBU efforts, though past initiatives have faced challenges. Australia participates in the European Eurovision Song Contest, according to major media reports. An Asian version including China, Japan, and Taiwan was announced by EBU in 2008 but later discarded, according to major media reports. The American Song Contest, launched four years ago, was a failure and lasted only one season. Meanwhile, the European Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna from 12 to 16 May, according to official sources. Sweden's entry in the European Eurovision 2026 is Felicia with the song 'My System', according to official sources.
Recent European editions have faced controversies that may influence the Asian launch. The last two editions of the European Eurovision have been marked by protests over Israel's inclusion amid the Gaza war, according to major media reports. Some nations accused Israel of manipulating the public voting system during the 2025 contest in Switzerland, major media reports indicate. These issues highlight potential challenges for the new contest, though it is unknown how the voting system for Eurovision Song Contest Asia will differ from the European version.
This is about evolving Eurovision together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the contest special.
Promotional efforts are underway, with major media noting that the Asian version retains the word 'Eurovision' in its title despite being on another continent. According to major media reports, South Korea's organizers have secured major K-pop artists for the event, though the specific K-pop artists or groups have not been disclosed. A promotional video for Eurovision Song Contest Asia says the possibilities are even greater in Asia, according to major media reports. The European Eurovision Song Contest draws over 100 million viewers annually, major media reports indicate, but the expected viewership or audience target for the inaugural Asian contest remains unclear. It is also unknown whether there are plans to expand the number of participating Asian countries beyond the initial ten.