Kazakhstan on the verge of Eurovision? Will Vienna host a non-European debutan again?

As the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest approaches, marking the 70th anniversary of the most beloved music competition, the name of a country outside the European continent—Kazakhstan—is echoing once again in the musical heart of Vienna.

The country, which has expressed a strong desire to join the competition for years, seems closer to a debut than ever before. Renewed discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) suggest that a historic step may no longer be a distant future.

Unlike EBU member countries from the European Broadcasting Area, Kazakhstan, as an Associate Member, requires an official invitation from the Eurovision Reference Group to participate.

In the history of the competition, this has only happened once—when the Australian broadcaster SBS was invited to compete in 2015. Australia received that exclusive invitation to mark the 60th anniversary of the competition, and it is particularly symbolic that that edition was also held in Vienna. (Read all about Australia’s participation in Eurovision HERE.)

For many Eurovision analysts, that Vienna story is crucial: the 70th anniversary now presents the perfect opportunity for the EBU, in the same city, to make a similar move and open the doors to another Associate Member, this time Kazakhstan. If Kazakhstan receives the invitation, it will become only the second country outside the geographical boundaries of Europe to officially compete at Eurovision, thereby expanding the Eurovision map to Central Asia.

What is driving the greatest optimism among fans is the fact that the jubilee, 70th Eurovision is being held precisely in Vienna, at the famous Wiener Stadthalle, on May 12, 14, and 16. For many analysts, this 70th anniversary is the ideal moment for the EBU to reopen its doors.

Key talks in London: EBU interest and support?

The Kazakh state broadcaster, Khabar Agency, an Associate Member of the EBU since 2016, has intensified its efforts to participate. The Chairman of the Management Board of Khabar Agency, Kemelbek Oishybayev, recently attended the EBU General Assembly in London, where he discussed a possible debut with EBU Director-General, Noel Curran.

Oishybayev presented strong arguments: geographical location, proven commitment and success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and strengthening ties with the European Union.

Curran reportedly responded positively, noting that the matter would be discussed at the next EBU board meeting.

A long history of interest and „Junior Eurovision“ as a gateway

Kazakhstan has long shown keen interest in the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 2010, Kazakh television channels have broadcast the competition almost every year.

The first concrete steps toward participation appeared in 2015 when the Khabar Agency acquired Associate Member status of the EBU. That same year, a delegation from Kazakhstan was present at the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, as observers.

A key moment in approaching Eurovision is certainly Kazakhstan’s participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where they were present from 2018 to 2022. Although they withdrew in 2023 and are not currently expected to return in 2025, the results they achieved at Junior Eurovision are impressive:

• 2018. – Daneliya Tuleshova – “Òzińe sen” – 6. place – 171 points
• 2019. – Yerzhan Maksim – “Armanyńnan qalma” – 2. place – 227 points
• 2020. – Karakat Bashanova – “Forever” – 2. place – 152 points
• 2021. – Alinur Khamzin and Beknur Zhanibekuly – “Ertegı älemı (Fairy World)” – 8. place – 121 points
• 2022. – David Charlin – “Jer-Ana (Mother Earth)” – 15. place – 47 points

These successes were, by all accounts, a significant factor in the arguments for joining the „main“ Eurovision, demonstrating the country’s capacity to successfully compete on the Eurovision stage.

Kazakhstan’s debut performance at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

EBU Cautious, But Deadline Extended

The EBU remains cautious for now, with no official decisions, but it has extended the deadline for participation confirmation until mid-December, giving Kazakhstan additional hope. The final list of participating countries is usually announced much earlier, so this deadline extension of several weeks indicates that discussions with the Khabar Agency are still ongoing and options are being carefully considered.

The decision to accept a new Associate Member is not an easy one for the Eurovision Reference Group, as it raises the question of the future expansion of the competition beyond its usual borders.

If Kazakhstan receives the invitation, it will become the 32nd participating country and the only debutant at Eurovision in over a decade, thus marking a new chapter in the history of the competition.

Will the year 2026 in Vienna be the year when Kazakhstan’s long-standing Eurovision dream finally comes true? Judging by all the information, the chances have never been higher!

If Kazakhstan, like Australia before them, receives an invitation, they will use this Vienna jubilee to present themselves to the world and potentially open the door to permanent participation, thereby expanding Eurovision to a completely new cultural area in Central Asia.