There is a rule governing who can enter Eurovision Asia that was not in any published rulebook. It surfaced almost accidentally, inside an EBU statement responding to press reports, and it quietly answers a question a lot of fans have been asking.

A broadcaster that competes in the Eurovision Song Contest cannot compete in Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

That is a structural rule, not a one-off decision, and it has consequences for several countries.

How it came to light

In May 2026, during Eurovision week, the Israeli outlet Ynet reported that closed-door discussions had taken place within the EBU about moving Israel from the European contest to the Asian one. The report cited two sources, said the idea met partial opposition from broadcasters already signed to Eurovision Asia, and described the move as doubtful.

Eurovoix asked the EBU for comment. The response pointed to the official participant list, noted that talks were ongoing with other broadcasters about joining, and stated plainly that no broadcaster taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest would be taking part in Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

The statement did not address the Israel reports directly. But in the course of not addressing them, it disclosed the rule.

The denial

Eurovision Director Martin Green subsequently rejected the reports outright, saying he had no idea where the story came from and that the matter was not on the table.

So the position on Israel is: reported by Ynet, unaddressed in the EBU’s written statement, and denied by the contest’s director. Readers can weigh those. What is not in dispute is the eligibility rule the exchange revealed.

Who the rule actually affects

This is the part with real consequences, and it goes well beyond the story that triggered it.

Several countries are geographically Asian but compete in the European contest through EBU-member broadcasters:

Under this rule, none of their current participating broadcasters could enter Eurovision Asia while continuing in the European contest. It is one or the other.

Australia is the clearest worked example. SBS helped develop the Asia-Pacific format for years, then confirmed it would not take part in the inaugural edition. It has since been confirmed that SBS cannot take part precisely because it competes in the European contest.

The theoretical workaround in each case is a different domestic broadcaster entering. Australia has been explicitly identified as a case where another broadcaster could still be invited. Nothing suggests that is imminent anywhere.

Why the rule makes sense

Two obvious reasons, neither officially stated.

Avoiding double-dipping. A country appearing in both contests would blur the identity of each and create awkward questions about which result counts.

Protecting the new contest’s identity. Eurovision Asia is trying to establish itself as a regional event with its own character. Importing established European-contest participants would make it look like an overflow venue rather than a distinct competition.

What it means for the field

Practically, it narrows the pool. The countries Eurovision Asia can recruit from are those not already in the European contest — which rules out the Caucasus entries and Israel, and rules out Australia’s national broadcaster.

That makes the remaining targets clearer. Kazakhstan is the live one: Khabar Agency was invited in April, with participation reportedly hinging on cost. Kazakhstan has never competed in the senior European contest, so the rule is no obstacle.

For why the biggest Asian markets are absent for entirely different reasons, see our breakdown of India, China, Japan and Australia.

Current confirmed participants are on our countries index, with everything settled and unsettled logged in our fact-check.

Last updated 25 August 2026.