It will happen later this year in Bangkok, Thailand.
On Tuesday, March 31, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual Eurovision Song Festival, announced the expansion of the continental competition to Asia.
This, as it launches its first-ever multi-country expansion, ghd Eurovision Song Contest Asia, in 2026 with Bangkok, Thailand confirmed as host city for the grand finals set on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Co-produced with Voxovation together with S2O Productions and Thailand’s Channel 3, a total of 10 broadcasters in countries in the region are already confirmed, including the Philippines, with media giant ABS-CBN being named the partner broadcaster.
As of this writing, artists and songs from the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan will be competing, with each participating broadcaster choosing its entries via national finals in the months leading up to the event.
Aside from Channel 3 (Thailand) and ABS-CBN (Philippines), other confirmed participating broadcasters are PK, Inc. (South Korea), Media Prima’s TV3 (Malaysia), VTV3 (Vietnam), TV5 (Cambodia), VTE9 (Laos), NTV (Bangladesh), BBS (Bhutan), and Himalaya TV (Nepal).
More are expected to be announced in the coming months, with the EBU stating that each country will bring their own voice, identity and storytelling to the stage.
The expansion coincides with the 70th anniversary of the world’s largest live music event.
“For seven decades, the Eurovision Song Contest has brought countries together through music, storytelling and live television, reaching audiences of hundreds of millions every year,” ths press statement read.
In partnership with leading broadcasters and production companies across Asia, Eurovision Song Contest Asia aims to reach more than 600 million people.
Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU, said in a statement, “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.”
“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,” he added.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia, he further said, will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who will make it their own.
For Peter Settman, CEO & Co-Founder of Voxovation, he said, “From day one, our ambition has been to build the Eurovision Song Contest Asia together with the region’s best creative talent, creating a show that truly reflects Asia’s identity and creative energy.”
“Together with S2O Productions, we are shaping a show where artists and fans connect across borders in new ways, through participation, community and deeper engagement beyond the stage, with ZOOP helping bring that fan experience to life.”
ZOOP, a social platform, will introduce a fan participation platform where audiences can watch and engage with artists, join communities, and be recognised and rewarded for real participation.
Meanwhile, with Bangkok hosting the event, it is expected fo generate strong international visibility a d support tourism, job creation and the continued growth of Thailand’s creative industries, per the EBU.
Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning of the Thailand Tourism Authority, noted, “When I heard that the European Broadcasting Union and Voxovation were considering Bangkok as the home for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, I thought, of course, it should be Bangkok, because this city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life.”
“It is a place where tradition and innovation do not compete. They collaborate. That is the spirit of Eurovision, which celebrates the unity of diverse musical voices from across Asia and beyond,” he added.
To end, he expressed, “We believe travel is in the moments that restore you, inspire you, and connect you to something larger than yourself. Eurovision Song Contest Asia embodies exactly that, and we are proud to welcome it home, marking a new chapter for Thailand’s global presence.”