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Italy: 30 artists revealed for Sanremo Music Festival 2026

  • Writer: Liv Webster
    Liv Webster
  • 23 minutes ago
  • 3 min read
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Sanremo Music Festival is a cultural phenomenon in Italy - this year 30 artists are vying to take home the golden lion and win the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision. This year marks the 76th edition of the famed event.


As last year, the larger more consolidated artists perform in the Campioni section of the contest and the winner of this section will be proclaimed the festival champion and will have first priority to go to Eurovision. Also during the festival a Newcomers' competition will run between the top 2 placegetters of Sanremo Giovani 2025 and Area Sanremo 2025. Two spin off competitions to find young and upcoming Italian talent.


The festival spans five nights from February 24-28 , from approximately 9pm CET each evening. Italian broadcaster RAI (Radiotelevisione italiana) is the home of both Sanremo and Eurovision coverage for the Mediterranean nation and has done so for decades.


Carlo Conti is set to return as artistic director and host of the festival after taking the reins from Amadeus last year. Carlo is no stranger to Sanremo - being the principal host in 2015-17, 2025 and now 2026. Other special guests and hosts have not been confirmed as of yet and will be revealed in the coming months.


Artistic Director and Sanremo 2026 host Carlo Conti
Artistic Director and Sanremo 2026 host Carlo Conti

Sanremo Artists for 2026


  • Tommaso Paradiso

  • Chiello

  • Serena Brancale

  • Fulminacci

  • Ditonellapiaga

  • Fedez & Masini

  • Leo Gassmann

  • Sayf

  • Arisa

  • Tredici Pietro

  • Sal Da Vinci

  • Samurai Jay

  • Malika Ayane

  • Luchè

  • Raf

  • Bambole di Pezza

  • Ermal Meta

  • Nayt

  • Elettra Lamborghini

  • Michele Bravi

  • J-Ax

  • Enrico Nigiotti

  • Maria Antonietta & Colombre

  • Francesco Renga

  • Mara Sattei

  • LDA & Aka 7even

  • Dargen D’Amico

  • Levante

  • Eddie Brock

  • Patty Pravo


Notable returning artists


To the delight of many Eurovision fans, Ermal Meta is returning to Teatro Ariston! Alongside compatriot Fabrizio Moro they secured 5th place at Eurovision 2018 with the powerful entry Non Mi Avete Fato Niente.



There are three other artists who have won Sanremo and are returning: Francesco Renga - 2005 winner with Angelo, Marco Masini - 2004 winner with L’uomo volante and  Arisa - 2014 winner with Controvento.


Finally, the iconic legend Patty Pravo despite her extraordinary career, has never won Sanremo but is returning this year - could she finally get the job done in 2026, a mere 56 years after her debut?


Format


The Newcomers' section will be separated from the main competition, the same as last edition. Four artists in total will compete. The top two artists of the selection competition Sanremo Giovani to be finalised on 2 December 2025 and the top two artists of Area Sanremo 2025.


The main Campioni section will follow the same format as last year:


Night 1: All thirty artists will perform their entry, the vote will be 100% press room. At the end of proceedings, the top 5 artists will be revealed in a random order.


Night 2: Half the artists will perform, the vote will be radio juries and televoters with 50% weighting to each. At the end of proceedings, the top 5 artists will be revealed in a random order.


Night 3: The remaining half of artists will perform, the vote will be radio juries and televoters with 50% weighting to each. At the end of proceedings, the top 5 artists will be revealed in a random order.


Night 4: The classic covers night will see the artists will perform alongside a guest artist or musician. They will perform covers of Italian songs or notable international hits. The winner will be announced on the night and the results do not count towards the final results.


Night 5: All thirty artists perform their entry again for the third and final time. The results of televote (34%), press room (33%) and radio jury (33%) will combine to decide the placings from 30th to 6th. The top 5 will then be subjected to a further round of voting with the same voting split where the final 5 placing will be decided.



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