The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has finally made official that a new Eurovision Song Contest Asia will debut on November 14, 2026. After nearly a decade of planning, the world’s most famous musical brand is landing in Bangkok, Thailand, for an inaugural show that many believe is more than just a song contest, but a strategic strike in a new cultural "war".
With the launch of Eurovision Asia, the spotlight turns to Moscow’s partial rival project, the Intervision Song Contest, which returned to the global stage in 2025. As these two musical titans prepare to clash for the loyalty of Asian broadcasters, the question remains: Can two "visions" coexist?
The timing of the EBU’s announcement is no coincidence. In September 2025, Russia successfully revived the Intervision Song Contest in Moscow, following its exclusion from the main Eurovision event. Intervision 2025 featured 23 countries and was won by Vietnam, which has now, interestingly, also signed on for the debut of Eurovision Asia 2026.
While Intervision positions itself as a platform for "traditional values" and "sovereign culture," Eurovision Asia is doubling down on the EBU’s 70-year legacy of diversity and "United by Music."
Perhaps the biggest blow to the Intervision format, though, is the location of the new rival. Thailand was a primary target for Russian cultural diplomacy throughout 2025. Official records show that Thailand was formally invited to participate in the Moscow Intervision in 2025 but declined the invitation. Despite a second official invitation for Thailand to join the 2026 Intervision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Thai government and host broadcaster Channel 3 have instead chosen to partner with the EBU, although it would not be a surprise if we see the country participating in both contests to keep some form of balance.
With the launch of Eurovision Asia, the spotlight turns to Moscow’s partial rival project, the Intervision Song Contest, which returned to the global stage in 2025. As these two musical titans prepare to clash for the loyalty of Asian broadcasters, the question remains: Can two "visions" coexist?
The timing of the EBU’s announcement is no coincidence. In September 2025, Russia successfully revived the Intervision Song Contest in Moscow, following its exclusion from the main Eurovision event. Intervision 2025 featured 23 countries and was won by Vietnam, which has now, interestingly, also signed on for the debut of Eurovision Asia 2026.
While Intervision positions itself as a platform for "traditional values" and "sovereign culture," Eurovision Asia is doubling down on the EBU’s 70-year legacy of diversity and "United by Music."
Perhaps the biggest blow to the Intervision format, though, is the location of the new rival. Thailand was a primary target for Russian cultural diplomacy throughout 2025. Official records show that Thailand was formally invited to participate in the Moscow Intervision in 2025 but declined the invitation. Despite a second official invitation for Thailand to join the 2026 Intervision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Thai government and host broadcaster Channel 3 have instead chosen to partner with the EBU, although it would not be a surprise if we see the country participating in both contests to keep some form of balance.
The countries already listed to take part in the Eurovision Asia Song Contest 2026 are:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Cambodia
Laos
Malaysia
Nepal
Philippines
South Korea
Thailand (Host)
Vietnam
The official website promises a bigger list to be announced at a later date.
While Intervision has secured a high-profile host in Saudi Arabia for 2026, the launch of Eurovision Asia creates a direct rival for Asian nations. Vietnam is the only country so far set to appear in both contests. The remaining countries mentioned are a strong pool of participants for the Intervision Song Contest, but none of them appeared in the 2025 edition or have yet (at least publicly) accepted their invitation for the 2026 edition. (All Asian Pacific countries have been invited for Intervision 2026)
In all, the Intervision Song Contest is not directly affected by the Eurovision Asia Contest, and both contests could co-exist with overlapping participants just as it already happens with the standard Eurovision Song Contest and the overlapping European participants. Also, Eurovision Asia is limited to Asian countries, while Intervision has set itself to be a global contest. Both will be interesting projects to follow.
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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