This is not an April Fool's Day joke. Bangkok has been announced as the host city of the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation, together with Thailand's S2O Productions and Channel 3, recently announced the debut of Eurovision Song Contest Asia in 2026, with Bangkok selected as the host city for its inaugural edition, bringing together 10 countries across Asia.
South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are confirmed alongside Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with more countries expected to join as the competition expands.
Bringing the world's largest live TV event to Asia, Eurovision Song Contest is now opening a new chapter shaped by the region's diversity, creativity and cultural identity, and grounded in the same spirit that has always defined the contest: United By Music.
Zoop is the new social media platform launching globally on April 9 with a dedicated channel covering the new Eurovision Song Contest Asia. Zoop will place the audience at the centre of the action, driving participation, community and interaction, with cutting-edge technology behind the experience.
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.
In collaboration with leading broadcasters and production companies across Asia, Eurovision Song Contest Asia will build on that legacy, creating a new shared stage where cultures meet, voices are amplified, and creative communities connect across borders.
Rooted in the same spirit that has defined the Eurovision Song Contest for generations, the contest carries forward a simple but powerful idea, connecting people through music and shared experiences. In Asia, that idea will take on new meaning, shaped by the region's extraordinary diversity and creative energy.
"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 the show 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. Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music," said Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Designed to grow with the region, the format brings together countries representing more than 600 million people. With no comparable pan-Asian platform today, it is set to become one of the region's most talked-about entertainment events.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia will provide a powerful platform for artists to share their music, stories and identities with audiences across the region and globally, strengthening cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.
Additional countries are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the line-up continues to expand.
