“Eurovision” is moving beyond its usual borders. This year, viewers will see a familiar format, but with a new region and bigger ambitions, bringing together countries from Asia.
According to foreign media, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the launch of a new international project — Eurovision Song Contest Asia. This is one of the biggest steps the brand has taken outside of Europe.
The final show is planned for November 14, 2026, and will take place in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. With this, the organizers aim to create a new music center for the Asian region.
Even though the format feels new, the brand has already gone beyond geographical limits before. For example, Australia has been taking part in the classic Eurovision contest for several years.
In the debut contest, several Asian countries are expected to join. As of the end of March, the countries that have confirmed participation are South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
At the same time, the concept of the contest is not fully finalized yet. Over the years, the organizers have considered different formats with 9 to 15 countries, and the project has been postponed several times, with changes to the location as well.
Another point that draws attention is the possible participation of Australia. This could become a unique case where one country takes part in two versions of the contest at the same time.
While Asia is getting ready for its debut, Europe is preparing for an anniversary. In May, the 70th edition of Eurovision 2026 will take place. The event will be held in Vienna, at the Wiener Stadthalle arena. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, and the grand final will happen on May 16.
This year, 35 countries have confirmed participation, which is considered one of the lowest numbers in recent years. Among them are Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Australia, and Israel.
It is also noted that Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland have decided not to take part. One of the reasons is the ongoing discussions around Israel’s participation. At the same time, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova are returning to the contest.
Over time, Eurovision has grown far beyond a simple music show and turned into a global cultural phenomenon. Since it started in 1956, the contest has attracted hundreds of millions of viewers every year.
In addition, Spain has suggested starting discussions about limiting the participation of countries involved in armed conflicts in Eurovision. Ukraine and Israel are especially mentioned. This statement was made on February 24, 2026, on the RTVE channel, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.