The Climax of Italian Musical Excellence

The Grand Final of Festival di Sanremo 2026 takes place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, bringing the 76th edition of Italy's most beloved music competition to its dramatic conclusion. After four nights at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, all 30 competing artists (the Campioni) return for their final performances before the decisive vote crowns the winner of the Leone d'Oro (Golden Lion) — and determines who earns the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

The Grand Final is hosted by Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, with Giorgia Cardinaletti and Nino Frassica co-hosting. The show begins at 20:45 CET and runs until approximately 02:00 CET. Broadcast live on RAI 1 and streamed on RaiPlay.

Official Running Order

All 30 Campioni perform in the following order, as confirmed by RAI:

Francesco Renga – "Il meglio di me"
Chiello – "Ti penso sempre"
Raf – "Ora e per sempre"
Bambole di Pezza – "Resta con me"
Leo Gassmann – "Naturale"
Malika Ayane – "Animali notturni"
Tommaso Paradiso – "I romantici"
J-Ax – "Italia starter pack"
LDA & AKA 7EVEN – "Poesie clandestine"
Serena Brancale – "Qui con me"
Patty Pravo – "Opera"
Sal Da Vinci – "Per sempre sì"
Elettra Lamborghini – "Voilà"
Ermal Meta – "Stella stellina"
Ditonellapiaga – "Che fastidio!"
Nayt – "Prima che"
Arisa – "Magica favola"
Sayf – "Tu mi piaci tanto"
Levante – "Sei tu"
Fedez & Masini – "Male necessario"
Samurai Jay – "Ossessione"
Michele Bravi – "Prima o poi"
Fulminacci – "Stupida fortuna"
Luchè – "Labirinto"
Tredici Pietro – "Uomo che cade"
Mara Sattei – "Le cose che non sai di me"
Dargen D'Amico – "AI AI"
Enrico Nigiotti – "Ogni volta che non so volare"
Maria Antonietta & Colombre – "La felicità e basta"
Eddie Brock – "Avvoltoi" (closes at approx. 01:16 CET)

The Super-Final Format

After all 30 artists perform, the votes are tallied and the top 5 artists are revealed — without specifying their exact ranking. These five return to the stage for a Super-Final vote, in which the winner is determined by a fresh round of voting, making the finale a genuine nail-biting climax.

The voting system combines three equally weighted components:

Televoto – 34% (public phone vote)
Giuria della Sala Stampa, Tv e Web – 33% (press, TV and web jury)
Giuria delle Radio – 33% (radio jury)

Super Guests

Andrea Bocelli – Italy's world-renowned classical crossover tenor performs as the headline super guest of the Grand Final evening.
Max Pezzali – The beloved Italian pop star performs from the Costa Toscana cruise ship moored off the coast of Sanremo — an iconic and theatrical staging choice unique to this year's festival.
Pooh – The legendary Italian rock band performs at the Suzuki Stage in Piazza Colombo, celebrating their remarkable 60th anniversary as a band.

A Meaningful Moment

Gino Cecchettin, father of Giulia Cecchettin — whose murder in 2023 sparked a national conversation about femicide in Italy — appeared during the show to speak about the foundation established in his daughter's name. The moment underlined Sanremo's role not just as a music competition but as a platform for the issues that matter most to Italian society.

The Golden Lion & The Eurovision Connection

The winner of Festival di Sanremo 2026 receives the prestigious Leone d'Oro and earns the right of first refusal to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. As one of the "Big Five" countries (alongside France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom), Italy automatically qualifies for the Eurovision Grand Final on 16 May — bypassing the semi-finals. Italy's Eurovision track record since returning in 2011 has been outstanding: Måneskin won in 2021, Mahmood & Blanco finished 6th in 2022, Marco Mengoni 4th in 2023. As confirmed on Eurovision.com, this system of sending Sanremo winners ensures Italy fields established artists with genuine star power and authentic Italian identity.

Teatro Ariston

Since becoming Sanremo's permanent home in 1977, the Teatro Ariston (1,909 seats, stunning frescoed ceiling by Charles Cuneo) has been the scene of seven decades of memorable champions, emotional performances, and defining moments in Italian music history. The Grand Final adds yet another chapter to this illustrious legacy.

Follow the Events Calendar to track Italy's Eurovision 2026 journey after Sanremo.

Final Results

This event concluded on 28 February 2026 at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo. Congratulations to the winner!

🏆 Winner of Festival di Sanremo 2026

Sal Da Vinci – "Per sempre sì"
Superfinal vote: 22.2%

Sal Da Vinci claimed the Leone d'Oro (Golden Lion) — the most coveted award in Italian popular music — in a closely contested Superfinal against four rivals. The Neapolitan artist, beloved across generations, delivers Italy one of its most emotionally resonant Sanremo victories in years.

Superfinal Top 5

Sal Da Vinci – "Per sempre sì" — 22.2% 🏆 Winner
Sayf – "Tu mi piaci tanto" — 21.9%
Ditonellapiaga – "Che fastidio!" — 20.6%
Arisa – "Magica favola" — 18.9%
Fedez & Masini – "Male necessario" — 16.5%

Full Final Ranking (all 30 Campioni)

Sal Da Vinci – "Per sempre sì" 🏆
Sayf – "Tu mi piaci tanto"
Ditonellapiaga – "Che fastidio!"
Arisa – "Magica favola"
Fedez & Masini – "Male necessario"
Nayt – "Prima che"
Fulminacci – "Stupida fortuna"
Ermal Meta – "Stella stellina"
Serena Brancale – "Qui con me"
Tommaso Paradiso – "I romantici"
LDA & AKA 7even – "Poesie clandestine"
Luchè – "Labirinto"
Bambole di Pezza – "Resta con me"
Levante – "Sei tu"
J-Ax – "Italia Starter Pack"
Tredici Pietro – "Uomo che cade"
Samurai Jay – "Ossessione"
Raf – "Ora e per sempre"
Malika Ayane – "Animali notturni"
Enrico Nigiotti – "Ogni volta che non so volare"
Maria Antonietta & Colombre – "La felicità e basta"
Michele Bravi – "Prima o poi"
Francesco Renga – "Il meglio di me"
Patty Pravo – "Opera"
Chiello – "Ti penso sempre"
Elettra Lamborghini – "Voilà"
Dargen D'Amico – "AI AI"
Leo Gassmann – "Naturale"
Mara Sattei – "Le cose che non sai di me"
Eddie Brock – "Avvoltoi"

Special Prizes

Premio della Critica "Mia Martini" (Critics' Prize) → Fulminacci
Premio della Sala Stampa "Lucio Dalla" (Press Room Prize) → Serena Brancale – "Qui con me"
Premio "Sergio Bardotti" (Best Lyrics) → Fedez & Masini – "Male necessario"
Premio "Giancarlo Bigazzi" (Best Musical Composition) → Ditonellapiaga
Premio TIM (Most loved artist on My Tim app) → Serena Brancale

View the official festival highlights on the RAI – I momenti clou della serata finale and stream the full show on RaiPlay.

What's Next?

As Sanremo winner, Sal Da Vinci earns the right of first refusal to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Grand Final on 16 May 2026 in Vienna — Italy's Big Five status means automatic qualification, no semi-final required. Visit the Events Calendar for all upcoming Eurovision 2026 events.