The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Asia in 2026, with the Grand Final for the regional off shoot of the competition set to be hosted in Bangkok, Thailand on November 14. Advertisement AdvertisementEurovision, which started in 1956, is a famously eccentric festival in which artists from dozens of countries battle for the annual musical crown. It has long been centered in Europe although in recent years has begun to welcome participants outside the continent. Russia has been banned from the competition since it invaded Ukraine in 2022 and now runs its own rival version of the contest. Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the main organizer of Eurovision, introduced new rules this year designed to improve neutrality and limit governments from disproportionately influencing voting.

Source: CNN March 31, 2026 14:54 UTC