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Eurovision Asia 2026: Bangkok prepares to make music history as 11 nations compete in spectacular new contest
From K-pop to Southeast Asian pop and Himalayan musical traditions, Eurovision is preparing to enter a new era as Thailand hosts the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia. g10 World Stage previews the historic competition, introduces all 11 participating acts and explores why Bangkok has been chosen to host this landmark event.
On Saturday 14 November 2026, the eyes of the international music world will turn towards Bangkok as the Eurovision Song Contest expands into Asia for the very first time.
Seven decades after Eurovision first brought European nations together through music, the competition is embarking on an ambitious new chapter, celebrating the extraordinary musical diversity, cultures and creativity of the Asian continent.
Eleven countries will compete in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, bringing together established recording artists, emerging performers and distinctive musical styles in what promises to be one of the most exciting new entertainment events of the year.
The Grand Final will take place at the One Bangkok Forum in Thailand's capital, with millions of viewers expected to follow the competition across television and digital platforms. For g10 World Stage, the contest represents much more than another international music competition. It is an opportunity to discover new artists, celebrate different cultures and witness the beginning of what could become a major annual event in the global entertainment calendar.
Why Bangkok has been chosen to host Eurovision Asia
Bangkok is already internationally recognised for its vibrant entertainment scene, spectacular nightlife, rich cultural heritage and growing influence within the Asian music industry. The Thai capital has become a meeting point for traditional culture and contemporary creativity, making it a fitting location for the first edition of Eurovision Asia.
Organisers, including the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Voxovation, Thailand's Channel 3 and S2O Productions, selected Bangkok as the inaugural host city, highlighting its ability to connect cultures and provide an international platform for artists. There are several reasons why the city is particularly well suited to hosting the event.
Thailand has a thriving domestic entertainment industry, with Thai pop music, television dramas and performers attracting growing international audiences. Bangkok also has extensive experience hosting major international events and welcoming visitors from across Asia and beyond. The contest is expected to provide an additional boost to tourism, showcase Thailand's creative industries and strengthen Bangkok's position as a major cultural destination. At the heart of the event is the One Bangkok Forum, a modern venue within the city's ambitious One Bangkok development.
The inaugural competition is being staged during Eurovision's 70th anniversary year, adding further historical significance to the occasion.
Meet the 11 countries and contestants
The inaugural competition features artists from South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Each nation has selected an original entry, offering audiences an introduction to a diverse range of musical identities.
01 | VIETNAM
Tóc Tiên
Song: EM TIÊN
Vietnam opens the competition with Tóc Tiên, one of the country's established pop performers. Known for her bold stage image, contemporary sound and confident performances, she brings significant experience to the Eurovision Asia stage.
Her entry, EM TIÊN, gives Vietnam an opportunity to showcase the energy and individuality of its modern pop scene. As the first act of the night, she has the important task of setting the tone for the entire contest.
03 | LAOS
Thinla
Song: BAE
Representing Laos is Thinla with BAE.
Laos may have a smaller international music profile than some of its neighbours, but Eurovision Asia provides a valuable opportunity for its artists to reach new audiences.
Thinla's appearance will put the spotlight on contemporary Lao music and the country's emerging performers. Her performance is one to watch for viewers interested in discovering artists beyond the region's biggest music markets.
05 | BHUTAN
Nyendra
Song: Lhayi Semo
Bhutan enters the competition with Nyendra performing Lhayi Semo.
Situated in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan has a rich cultural identity and musical heritage that is less familiar to many international pop audiences.
Nyendra's appearance offers a rare opportunity for Bhutanese music to be heard as part of a major multinational television event. It is precisely this type of cultural discovery that could make Eurovision Asia such a distinctive competition.
07 | BANGLADESH
Beatmosphere
Song: Tumi Ele
Bangladesh will be represented by Beatmosphere with Tumi Ele.
The country's music scene encompasses a rich mixture of Bengali traditions, contemporary pop, rock and independent music.
Beatmosphere's appearance introduces a group entry into the competition, offering a contrast with the many solo performers taking part.
Their participation is another example of the geographical and musical breadth of the inaugural contest.
09 | SOUTH KOREA
JUNHEE
Song: DEEP DIVE
South Korea arrives with JUNHEE and his entry DEEP DIVE.
The artist was selected through Korea's Next Wave, the country's national selection competition.
With South Korea's K-pop industry already enjoying enormous international success, expectations will naturally be high for the country's Eurovision Asia debut.
JUNHEE's participation brings the influence of Korean pop performance to a stage that celebrates the wider diversity of Asian music. His appearance is likely to attract considerable attention from international music fans.
11 | MALAYSIA
Aina Abdul
Song: Bluest Sky
Closing the inaugural Eurovision Asia competition will be Malaysian singer Aina Abdul with Bluest Sky.
Aina is an established figure in Malaysia's music industry, recognised for her powerful vocal abilities, distinctive fashion choices and theatrical approach to live performance.
Her experience and stage presence make her one of the contest's notable established performers.
As the final competing act, Aina has the opportunity to deliver a memorable conclusion to the evening before the voting and results begin.
02 | CAMBODIA
Monetrey
Song: I Let You Go
Cambodia will be represented by Monetrey, who secured the country's place through its national selection, Cambodia's Finest Voice.
With I Let You Go, Monetrey brings a song whose title suggests the emotional territory of separation and moving forward. His appearance also provides an international platform for Cambodia's developing contemporary music scene.
For many viewers outside Southeast Asia, his performance could be their first introduction to Cambodian talent on a Eurovision stage.
04 | MONGOLIA
Beck
Song: Chamguigeer (Without You)
Mongolia's representative, Beck, was selected through the national competition Mongolia's Chosen One.
His entry, Chamguigeer (Without You), brings the Mongolian language into the contest and offers an opportunity to introduce the country's contemporary music scene to a much wider audience.
Mongolia has a distinctive musical heritage, and Beck's participation reflects Eurovision Asia's ambition to provide a stage for countries with different cultural and artistic traditions.
06 | PHILIPPINES
CARMELLE
Song: Sobra-Sobra
The Philippines will be represented by CARMELLE with Sobra-Sobra.
The Philippines has a particularly strong singing culture, with Filipino performers enjoying recognition through talent competitions, musical theatre and international recording careers.
CARMELLE carries those expectations into Bangkok. Her entry will give the Philippines an opportunity to demonstrate its musical talent in a contest where vocal performance, stage presentation and audience connection will all be important.
08 | THAILAND
MANG x DAOU
Song: Aroma
Host nation Thailand will be represented by MANG x DAOU performing Aroma.
As the home entry, the duo will have the advantage of performing in front of a domestic audience, potentially making their appearance one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the evening.
Thailand's entertainment industry has enjoyed growing international visibility, particularly through T-pop and television entertainment.
MANG x DAOU will be hoping to turn that momentum into a memorable Eurovision Asia performance and perhaps deliver a historic victory for the inaugural host nation.
10 | NEPAL
Pratik Himal Rai
Song: Ananta Maya
Nepal will be represented by Pratik Himal Rai with Ananta Maya.
Selected through Nepal Decides, Pratik will take to the stage representing a country with a diverse musical heritage shaped by its many communities, languages and traditions.
His participation gives Nepalese music a major international platform and provides an opportunity for audiences to discover an artist from the Himalayan region.
Performing towards the end of the contest could also help his entry remain fresh in viewers' minds as voting approaches.
What can audiences expect from Eurovision Asia?
The Eurovision Song Contest has become famous for its spectacular staging, elaborate costumes, memorable performances and dramatic voting sequences. Eurovision Asia is expected to embrace that same spirit while developing an identity reflecting the cultures and musical traditions of its participating nations.
Audiences can expect an evening featuring everything from contemporary pop and emotional ballads to performances influenced by regional musical traditions. One of the most fascinating aspects of the competition will be seeing how artists from very different musical backgrounds approach the same international stage. The contest will also offer an opportunity for performers who may already be well known in their home countries to reach millions of potential new fans.
How will the winner be decided?
The inaugural contest will use a voting system combining professional juries and public voting, with each accounting for 50% of the result. This means that both musical professionals and viewers will play a part in deciding which country becomes the first Eurovision Asia champion. As with the European contest, the announcement of the results is likely to provide some of the evening's most dramatic moments
What does Eurovision Asia mean for the future of music?
The launch of Eurovision Asia could prove to be a significant moment for the international music industry. For decades, Eurovision has demonstrated that music can bring together audiences across national boundaries, language barriers and cultural differences. Its expansion into Asia offers the possibility of building a similarly successful platform in a region containing some of the world's most dynamic and rapidly developing entertainment markets.
It could also create new opportunities for artists, broadcasters, songwriters and producers to collaborate internationally. Perhaps most importantly, Eurovision Asia has the potential to introduce audiences to artists and musical traditions they might otherwise never encounter. For countries with smaller international music industries, the exposure could be particularly valuable.
g10 World Stage: Bringing Eurovision Asia to our audiences
g10 World Stage will be following the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia as part of g10 group's international entertainment coverage. Although the event is taking place thousands of miles away in Bangkok, g10 group will be covering the competition virtually from the United Kingdom, bringing the excitement of this historic occasion to its audiences.
Our coverage will focus on the competing countries, their artists and performances, the atmosphere surrounding the event and, of course, the announcement of the first Eurovision Asia winner.
The launch of the competition also represents an exciting opportunity for g10 World Stage to introduce audiences to more Asian music and entertainment.
When and where can you watch?
Saturday 14 November 2026 -
Bangkok local time
20:30
United Kingdom (GMT)