In Brief
- The music spectacle Eurovision will hold its first Asian edition in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.
- Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are taking part.
The music spectacle Eurovision will hold its first Asian edition later this year in Bangkok.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 has confirmed artists from at least 10 countries across Asia competing: Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
More are expected to join before the final in November.
“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, the director of the contest, said overnight.
Bangkok was the perfect city to host the contest because it “has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life”, said Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a representative of the Thailand Tourism Authority.
SBS is not competing in the Asian edition but the broadcaster welcomed the initiative.
“SBS has long recognised the strong appetite for Eurovision and its unique ability to connect audiences through music and shared cultural moments,” an SBS spokesperson said.
“We’re pleased to see continued interest in celebrating these kinds of connections across the region and will be watching with interest as it develops.”
The main gala, run by the European Broadcasting Union, draws more than 100 million viewers every year.
The main competition, with 35 competing countries, is scheduled to be held in Vienna in May.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are boycotting the event due to discord over Israel’s participation.
The contest strives to put pop music before politics but has repeatedly been embroiled in world events.
Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Gaza war stirred protests outside the venues, leading organisers to clamp down on political flag-waving.
Similar tensions could emerge in Asia after Thailand and Cambodia engaged in deadly border clashes twice in 2025.
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