The world of international music competitions is entering a new era of expansion and rivalry, with the Arab world emerging as a key battleground. The company that owns the Eurovision brand, Voxovation, started promoting a "Eurovision Arab World" contest.
The "fuss" is not just about the potential for a new regional contest, but about the broader geopolitical and commercial battle to replicate the magic of the European model across the globe, a journey fraught with failures and complications.
The Eurovision Brand
Voxovation's strategy is to globalize the contest, offering regional spin-offs that adapt the iconic format.
This U.S.-based competition, America Song Contest (2022), featuring states and territories, was the first major spin-off. While it showcased high-quality performances, it ultimately struggled to capture a mass audience and was not renewed for a second season, leaving a major question mark over the format's transferability.
Eurovision Asia & Eurovision Latin America: Both were announced just like Eurovision Arab World. Eurovision Asia remains in a perpetual "limbo state," having never materialized despite years of discussions. Eurovision Latin America was announced in 2022, with the goal of having its first edition in October 2025. While it has seen more concrete planning—with an initial 10 countries reportedly confirming participation and Chile leading the bid to host—the entire project remains in a holding pattern. Like its Asian counterpart, it has failed to generate sufficient media attention and is viewed skeptically until a full list of participating broadcasters and a final host are officially confirmed.
The Middle East
The proposals for the Arab world are unique because they face immediate, high-level competition. This proposal aims to unite up to 22 nations in a spectacle of shared culture. It seeks to fill a massive cultural niche, but it is complicated by the geopolitical reality of the main Eurovision contest.
Intervision Song Contest 2026
The Intervision Song Contest is already positioned as a non-Western platform emphasizing "traditional values." Its first edition in Moscow saw the participation of countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE (and countries from Latin America). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the second edition of Intervision in 2026. While the interest and talent exist for a "Eurovision Arab World," its realization is now highly challenged by Intervision's successful pivot to Saudi Arabia. A Eurovision Arab World project, although interesting, seems highly unlikely for the time being.
Written by Manios Themis
Intervision Song Contest specialist. Combines a Computer Science background with exhaustive knowledge of every edition (1965 Golden Clef, 1977–1980 Sopot era, 2025 revival, and Saudi Arabia 2026). Author and curator of the most complete independent Intervision archive online.
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