Eurovision is expanding into Asia with a new spin-off song contest to be held in Bangkok this year, even as the original event faces protests and boycotts over Israel's participation. The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place on Saturday, 14 November, with broadcasters from 10 countries confirmed to take part.
The participating nations are South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Each will select its entry through national finals in the lead-up to the event. Organisers hope the contest will bring together a culturally diverse region representing more than 600 million people.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the European Broadcasting Union, said: '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.' A representative of the Thailand Tourism Authority, Chuwit Sirivajjakul, said Bangkok was the perfect host because it 'has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life.'
The Asian edition retains the 'Eurovision' name despite being on another continent. An earlier attempt to launch an Asian version in 2008, which would have included China, Japan and Taiwan, was later abandoned. An American version aired in 2022 was hit by Covid restrictions and attracted fewer than three million viewers.
Meanwhile, the main Eurovision event, to be held in Vienna on 16 May, is being boycotted by Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain due to Israel's continued inclusion amid the war in Gaza. The Israeli broadcaster has welcomed the decision to keep Israel in the contest. Tensions also persist between Asian participants Thailand and Cambodia, which saw deadly clashes in July and again in December 2025.
