The Eurovision Song Contest will have its Asian version in November 2026 (illustrative photo). Picture alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
IN BRIEF – Eurovision is launching an Asian version in November 2026 in Bangkok, with ten participating countries including Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam. – Each country will hold a national competition to select its representative with an original song. – Organizers hope for up to 600 million viewers for this Asian version.
It will probably be necessary to find another name. This year, fans of the best international singing competition (objectively) will be treated to a 2nd edition. Indeed, Eurovision organizers have announced the launch of a new edition that is no longer very European since it will take place in Asia.
Eurovision organization has partnered with several Asian production companies to create its version dedicated to the Asian continent, as revealed by France Inter on March 31. The first edition of Eurovision Asia will take place in Bangkok.
Ten countries are already committed, according to the event’s official website: Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Bhutan, and South Korea.
A public five times larger than in Europe
The contest final will be held on November 14, 2026. Leading up to this date, each country must organize a national competition to choose its official representative. All candidates (group or solo) must create an original song for the occasion, which they will perform live on stage at each stage of the competition.
According to the event’s organizers, 160 million people watched the Eurovision final and the victory of Austrian JJ live. In Asia, the audience could be five times larger, as they predict around 600 million viewers. The stakes are high for the Eurovision organization, which co-produces the show and holds the license.
The 2026 edition of the European version of Eurovision, which will also be special for the 70th anniversary of the contest, will be held on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. France will be represented by Monroe, with the song “Regardez!”.
