MOSCOW — While the decision for Saudi Arabia to host Intervision 2026 has been public since the 2025 contest, new details released yesterday by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveal that the project has now moved into an intensive phase of bilateral technical and diplomatic coordination.
In a landmark interview on February 18, 2026, marking the centenary of Russo-Saudi relations, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the contest is no longer just a concept but a "working reality," with active talks and personal oversight from the highest levels of both governments.
Lavrov emphasized that the current planning phase is being driven by a direct mandate from President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Following a recent telephone conversation between the two leaders, the "Intervision" project was solidified as a key pillar of the 2026 cultural calendar.
"We are developing our relations through dialogue at the highest level," Lavrov stated. "The decision to hold the contest in Saudi Arabia was made during an exchange of messages between the President and the Crown Prince, and we are now seeing the practical implementation of those agreements."
Establishment of Working Contacts
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the "Intervision" talks have moved beyond general diplomacy into specific institutional cooperation: Moscow and Riyadh have already identified the specific Saudi officials who will take responsibility for the contest’s execution. Delegations from both sides have recently met to discuss the organizational framework, shifting the focus from "if" to "how" the event will be staged in the Kingdom.
Lavrov noted that he personally discussed the contest preparations with his Saudi counterpart, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, just days ago, highlighting that the event remains a top priority for both foreign ministries.
A significant portion of the ongoing talks centers on aligning the contest with the "traditional values" promoted by both nations.
By basing the contest in Riyadh, both nations aim to leverage the Saudi Vision 2030 framework to demonstrate that a global entertainment event can be modern and high-tech while remaining deeply rooted in sovereign cultural identity.
What’s Next?
With the "working-level" talks now in full swing, the next phase is expected to involve more detailed announcements regarding the venue in Riyadh and the participation of other BRICS+ and Arab League nations. Russia has pledged full technical support to its Saudi partners to ensure the 2026 edition expands on the success of the 2025 Moscow debut.
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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