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Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 Bangkok Finals Running Order and Start Time
Bangkok is days away from hosting a Eurovision first. On Saturday 14 November 2026, the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia will bring 11 countries to the One Bangkok Forum, launching a new chapter for one of the world’s most recognised music competition formats.
The Grand Final now has its full line-up, its running order, and its broadcast time. Vietnam will open the competition, host nation Thailand will perform eighth, and Malaysia will close the competitive performances. Organisers are also moving ahead despite recent reports of budget cuts and production pressure, making this weekend a major test for Eurovision’s Asian expansion.
Eurovision Asia begins in Bangkok on 14 November
The first Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in the Thai capital on Saturday 14 November 2026. The Grand Final is scheduled to begin at 8.30pm in Bangkok, which is 1.30pm GMT in the United Kingdom.
The show will be held at the One Bangkok Forum, with a live audience in the venue and international viewers able to watch online through the g10 group YouTube channel.
This first edition arrives during Eurovision’s 70th anniversary year, giving the brand a major new platform beyond its European roots. The Asian contest brings together countries from a region with highly varied pop scenes, strong television markets, and fast-growing fan cultures.
For viewers used to the European contest, the format will feel familiar in spirit: each country sends one act and one song, and the winner becomes the first holder of the Eurovision Asia trophy. Yet the Asian edition is also developing its own identity, from its host city to its future hosting rules.
The confirmed running order includes Vietnam first and Malaysia last
The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed the running order for the Grand Final. The full show will feature 11 competing entries, with Vietnam taking the opening slot and Malaysia performing last.
The confirmed headline positions are:
Running order | Country | Artist | Song |
1 | Vietnam | Tóc Tiên | EM TIÊN |
8 | Thailand | MANG x DAOU | Aroma |
11 | Malaysia | Aina Abdul | Bluest Sky |
Vietnam’s Tóc Tiên will carry the pressure and privilege of opening the first edition with EM TIÊN. Opening a contest can be difficult, especially when viewers are still settling into the broadcast, but it also gives an artist the chance to define the tone of the night.
Thailand’s MANG x DAOU will perform eighth with Aroma, giving the host nation a central slot in the show. A home victory would be a striking start for the contest, though the pressure of performing in front of a national crowd can cut both ways.
Malaysia’s Aina Abdul will close the competitive performances with Bluest Sky. The final slot often draws attention because it leaves a strong last impression before voting begins. It also brings its own challenge, as the closing act must hold the energy of the room after every other country has already performed.
All 11 songs have now been released, giving fans a short but useful window to compare the entries before Saturday’s final.
Start time and how to watch from the UK
For UK viewers, the key time is simple: the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 Bangkok Finals Running Order and Start Time puts the Grand Final at 1.30pm GMT on Saturday 14 November.
The local start time in Thailand is 8.30pm, which places the show in a prime evening slot for the host city. For fans in Europe, it becomes a daytime watch rather than the late-night experience associated with the main Eurovision Song Contest.
The broadcast is set to be available through the g10 group YouTube channel, making the first edition accessible to international viewers without a traditional television broadcast in every market.
A quick viewing checklist:
Date Saturday 14 November 2026
Bangkok start time 8.30pm
UK start time 1.30pm GMT
Venue One Bangkok Forum
Online broadcast g10 group YouTube channel
Production concerns have followed the build-up
The launch has not been free of concern. In October, Swedish media reported that the competition was facing production difficulties, including financial pressure and reductions to its budget.
Later reporting suggested that the production budget had been reduced by around $1 million, from an originally reported $4.5 million. Those reports raised questions about whether the first edition could be delivered as planned, especially given the scale expected from a Eurovision-branded event.
Eurovision director Martin Green responded to the concerns by indicating that the contest would still go ahead. He also acknowledged the work of the Thai production team, whose role has become even more visible as the final approaches.
For a new contest, the first broadcast matters. Viewers will judge not only the songs, but also the staging, camera work, pacing, sound mix, and voting presentation. A successful show could give Eurovision Asia a strong base. A troubled launch would make future editions harder to build.
That said, the confirmed running order and released entries suggest the contest is now firmly in final-week mode.
The 2027 question is already taking shape
Even before the first winner is crowned, attention has started to shift towards what comes next.
Recent reporting suggests that China and Japan have been discussed as possible future hosts for Eurovision Asia, though no official decision has been announced. That question matters because Eurovision Asia may not follow the same hosting tradition as the European contest.
In the main Eurovision Song Contest, the winning country usually earns the right to host the following year, subject to practical and financial arrangements. For the Asian competition, winning may not automatically bring hosting rights. That gives organisers more flexibility, but it also means the contest’s long-term rhythm is still being defined.
The 2026 Bangkok edition will serve as a proof of concept. If the broadcast lands well, it could strengthen the case for a second edition in 2027 and help clarify how the Asian version will grow.
What to watch for on Grand Final night
The first Eurovision Asia final carries more weight than a normal debut event. It needs to introduce a new regional contest, satisfy existing Eurovision fans, and give new audiences a reason to return next year.
The key moments will be clear:
Vietnam setting the tone as the first act in Eurovision Asia history
Thailand testing whether home advantage can turn into a winning result
Malaysia closing the show with one of the most visible performance slots
The production team delivering under the shadow of recent budget reports
The voting sequence revealing how the contest wants to present itself
Saturday’s show will not only decide the first winner. It will show whether Eurovision Asia can stand as more than a one-off expansion.
For now, the essentials are set: 11 countries, one Bangkok stage, and a Grand Final start time of 8.30pm local time, or 1.30pm GMT in the UK. The first Eurovision Song Contest Asia is ready to begin.
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