Image: from Eurovisionworld X @eurovisionwld
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
BANGKOK, Thailand — The world’s longest-running international music competition is officially crossing continents. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced Tuesday that the Eurovision Song Contest will launch its first-ever Asia edition, bringing its trademark blend of glitzy costumes, high-stakes performances, and cultural celebration to the East.
Ten countries have already confirmed their participation, including South Korea, Bhutan, the Philippines, and the host nation, Thailand. According to the contest’s official website, more nations are expected to join the roster in the coming weeks.
A New Chapter in Musical History
The move comes as Eurovision marks its 70th anniversary, a milestone that organizers believe provides the perfect backdrop for global expansion.
“It feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent,” said Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU.
The format will mirror the traditional European model: participating countries will host national selections to choose their representatives before heading to a grand final. The inaugural Eurovision Asia final is scheduled to be broadcast live from Bangkok on November 14, 2026.
Why Bangkok?
The choice of the Thai capital as the debut host city has been met with enthusiasm from local officials. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a senior official at the Thailand Tourism Authority, stated that Bangkok was the natural choice for such a vibrant event.
“This city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life,” Sirivajjakul said. The event is being organized as a joint venture between the EBU, Los Angeles-based Voxovation, and Thailand’s S2O Productions.
A Legacy of Stars and Stains
Eurovision has a storied history of launching global icons, most notably Sweden’s ABBA and Canada’s Celine Dion, who famously represented Switzerland in 1988. Last year, the contest drew an estimated 163 million viewers globally.
However, the expansion comes at a time of significant geopolitical friction for the organization. Several countries have announced a boycott of the primary contest, set to take place in Vienna this May, over Israel’s continued participation amid regional conflict. Furthermore, Russia remains banned from the EBU following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leading Moscow to promote its own rival competition, “Intervision.”
Despite these tensions, the EBU is betting on the “Eurovision Asia” brand to succeed where previous independent attempts to create an Asian song contest have failed. By maintaining the strict rules of original songs and live lead vocals, organizers hope to replicate the magic that has made the European version a staple of global pop culture for seven decades.