The Eurovision Song Contest is set to expand beyond Europe for the first time, with organisers confirming the launch of a brand new Asia edition of the iconic competition.
The spin-off will see broadcasters from 10 countries across the region take part in its debut year, including the Philippines and South Korea, with each nation set to host its own national selection process to choose an act.
A large-scale grand final is already scheduled for November 14 in Bangkok, marking a major milestone for the format as it moves into a new continent.
The countries confirmed so far for the inaugural contest are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, with organisers hinting that more participants could still join before the first show takes place.
The expansion reflects growing global interest in the Eurovision format, which has already inspired similar versions in other regions.
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Originally launched in 1956, Eurovision Song Contest was created to help unite European countries through live television in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Over the decades, it has grown into one of the biggest annual entertainment events in the world, regularly attracting audiences of over 150 million viewers and launching the careers of major international stars.
Acts like ABBA, who won for Sweden in 1974, and Céline Dion, who represented Switzerland in 1988, are among the most famous success stories to emerge from the competition.
In recent years, the contest has also seen a surge in global popularity beyond Europe, driven in part by streaming, social media and viral performances.
The move into Asia has been discussed for several years, but previous attempts to launch a regional version stalled due to logistical and broadcasting challenges.
This time, organisers appear to have secured stronger backing from participating networks, alongside a clearer structure that mirrors the original contest format.
For Ireland, which has a long and successful history in Eurovision, the expansion is another sign of how far the competition has evolved from its European roots.
With the contest now marking its 70th edition this year, the launch of an Asia version underlines its status as the world’s longest-running international music competition and a format that continues to adapt to new audiences.
While it remains to be seen whether the Asia edition will capture the same level of cultural impact as its European counterpart, the appetite is clearly there.
With powerhouse music markets like South Korea and the Philippines involved from the outset, expectations are high that the contest could quickly establish itself as a major new fixture in the global music calendar.
Ireland will not take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, and the event will not be shown on RTÉ, after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel will be allowed to compete in Vienna in 2026. The decision was reached at the EBU’s Winter General Assembly in Geneva, where members opted not to call a vote on Israel’s participation. Instead, they approved new rules aimed at preventing governments or outside groups from heavily promoting entries to influence the result.
In a statement, RTÉ said: "Following today’s EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ's position remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.
RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory."
RTÉ’s withdrawal adds to a growing list of European broadcasters stepping back from next year’s contest. Spain, one of Eurovision’s “Big Five” countries, has confirmed it will also withdraw from Eurovision 2026. As a major financial contributor that automatically qualifies for the grand final, Spain’s exit marks a significant shift for the contest.
The Netherlands has likewise confirmed its boycott, with Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS saying it will not participate due to Israel’s inclusion. Slovenia has followed suit, with RTV Slovenia board chairwoman Natalija Gorscak issuing a strong statement: "For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the participation of any country that attacks another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding. Eurovision has been a place for joy and happiness from the very beginning, performers and audiences have been united by music, and it should remain that way.
Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza."
Despite the backlash, Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, has confirmed it will take part in next year’s contest. In a statement on X, President Isaac Herzog said Israel "deserves to be represented on every stage around the world", adding: "I am pleased that Israel will once again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and I hope that the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding. Thank you to all our friends who stood up for Israel's right to continue to contribute and compete at Eurovision."
The EBU’s announcement included a package of reforms introduced after allegations that Israel unfairly boosted support for its 2024 entry, which finished second. The revised system will expand the professional jury’s role in the semi-finals and reduce the number of votes each viewer can cast from 20 to 10, encouraging audiences to distribute their support more broadly.
Ireland has appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest 58 times since 1965, missing only two editions—1983 and 2002. Next year will now mark another rare absence, with RTÉ standing firm on its stance amid ongoing concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the broader fallout of Israel’s confirmed participation.
