Intervision 2026 to Be Held in Saudi Arabia, Host City and Date Still Under Discussion

Dragon Media News Desk

The Intervision international song contest will definitely take place in 2026, with Saudi Arabia remaining committed to hosting the event, Russian Presidential Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy has said.

Speaking to TASS, Shvydkoy said the competition would be held this year and that Saudi Arabia had not withdrawn from its role as host country. According to him, discussions are currently focused on organizational matters, including the host city, the exact date and other logistical arrangements.

Earlier reports had raised doubts over whether the 2026 Intervision contest would ultimately take place in Saudi Arabia. The contest’s press service later rejected those reports and said preparations remained on track.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin had also said in June 2026 that Saudi Arabia had assumed responsibility for hosting the competition and that work was continuing on organizational matters, including the date. Saudi Arabia was officially announced as the host of the 2026 edition during the final of the revived Intervision contest held in Moscow in September 2025.

Intervision has historical roots in Cold War era international broadcasting and cultural cooperation. The competition was associated with the International Radio and Television Organization, known as OIRT, and was held in different forms during the 1960s and 1980s.

Participation was not limited to socialist countries. Artists from Austria, Belgium, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal and Finland were also among those who took part in earlier editions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on February 3, 2025, restoring the Intervision music contest in a new format. The revived competition was held at Live Arena in Moscow on September 20, 2025.

Artists representing 22 countries from different regions of the world participated in the Moscow final. Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc won the competition with 422 points. Russia was represented by Yaroslav Dronov, widely known by his stage name Shaman.

Saudi Arabia also participated in the 2025 competition and was subsequently announced as the host country for the following edition.

Shvydkoy’s latest remarks have reduced uncertainty surrounding the future of the event and reaffirmed that preparations for Intervision 2026 are continuing. The host city, exact date and detailed program, however, have yet to be officially announced.