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Philippines wins the first Eurovision Asia title

Carmelle topped both the jury and public votes with Sobra-Sobra in Bangkok. SBS streamed the final for Australians, but Australia did not compete.

3 min read
Filipino singer Carmelle sings into a decorated microphone while holding the Eurovision Song Contest Asia trophy
Digitally illustrated image.
By Bushletter Newsroom ·

TLDR

Filipino singer Carmelle took the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia title in Bangkok, winning both the jury and public votes with 211 points. Eleven countries competed across 10 languages at the 14 November final, with Australia broadcasting via SBS On Demand but not entering.

Carmelle wins inaugural Eurovision Asia for the Philippines

Filipino singer Carmelle won the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia with "Sobra-Sobra", claiming the title at One Bangkok Forum on 14 November 2026. Carmelle finished on 211 points, topping the professional jury vote with 93 and the public vote with 118.[1]

Thailand's MANG x DAOU finished second with "Aroma", Vietnam's Tóc Tiên third with "EM TIÊN", and Malaysia and Laos completed the top five.[1] Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green CBE said: "What an historic achievement!"[1]

How the vote worked

The result split equally between 11 national juries and audience voting, with the public vote including a Rest of the World points set worth the equivalent of one country's allocation.[2] Viewers in competing countries could vote for three countries but could not vote for their own entry.[2]

The 11 competing countries were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, performing across 10 local languages and English.[1]

Australia watched, but did not compete

SBS streamed the grand final on SBS On Demand from 12.30am AEDT on Sunday 15 November, with Courtney Act providing Australian commentary. Australia did not enter the contest.[3]

"Sobra-Sobra" first won the Philippine Selection Night before representing the country in Bangkok. Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN described the song as a women's-empowerment anthem.[4]

What comes next

Executive Producer Assaf Blecher said: "This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Eurovision in Asia."[1] The European Broadcasting Union said further countries were expected to join as the format expanded across the region, though no host city or date for a second contest has been announced.[5]

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Carmelle scored 211 points, topping the jury vote with 93 and the public vote with 118.
02Thailand finished second and Vietnam third, with Malaysia and Laos completing the top five.
03Eleven countries competed, from Bangladesh and Bhutan to South Korea and Vietnam.
04Australia streamed the final on SBS On Demand from 12.30am AEDT, with Courtney Act on commentary.
05Executive Producer Assaf Blecher called the Bangkok contest "just the beginning" of Eurovision in Asia.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who won Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026?
Filipino singer Carmelle won the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia with "Sobra-Sobra", scoring 211 points at the Bangkok final on 14 November 2026.
Which countries competed at Eurovision Asia 2026?
Eleven countries took part: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Did Australia compete in Eurovision Asia?
Australia did not compete. SBS broadcast the grand final on SBS On Demand from 12.30am AEDT on 15 November, with Courtney Act providing commentary.
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