Italy's Most Prestigious Music Festival Returns

The 76th Festival di Sanremo opens its doors on February 24, 2026, marking the beginning of five extraordinary nights of Italian musical excellence. Taking place at the legendary Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, Liguria, this opening night launches a competition featuring 30 established artists (Campioni) who will vie for the coveted Golden Lion award and the opportunity to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

Festival di Sanremo holds a unique position in European music culture – it is not merely a Eurovision selection show, but Italy's most prestigious music competition, dating back to 1951. The festival's primary purpose is celebrating Italian music, with Eurovision participation being a secondary (though significant) honor offered to the winner. This distinction ensures that Italy consistently sends authentic, high-quality entries to Eurovision rather than Eurovision-specific productions.

The first night will be broadcast live on RAI (Radiotelevisione italiana), Italy's national public broadcaster, and streamed on RaiPlay, ensuring fans across Italy and around the world can witness the opening of this historic 76th edition.

Your Hosts: Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini

Carlo Conti returns as both artistic director and main host for Festival di Sanremo 2026, bringing his extensive experience and deep knowledge of Italian music to the role. Conti previously hosted the festival from 2015 to 2017, earning praise for his professional yet warm presenting style.

Joining him as co-host is international superstar Laura Pausini, one of Italy's most successful musical exports. Pausini has sold over 70 million records worldwide and won numerous international awards, including a Grammy Award and multiple Latin Grammy Awards. Her presence adds star power and international credibility to the festival, bridging Italian tradition with global appeal.

The first night will also feature special co-presenter Can Yaman, adding variety to the hosting team.

The 30 Competing Artists

Festival di Sanremo 2026 features an exceptional lineup of 30 established artists, representing the breadth and depth of contemporary Italian music. The complete list of artists and their song titles was announced on December 15, 2025, building anticipation for this opening night when audiences will hear the competing songs for the first time.

The competing artists include:

Tommaso Paradiso – "I Romantici"
Chiello – "Ti Penso Sempre"
Serena Brancale – "Qui Con Me"
Fulminacci – "Stupida Sfortuna"
Ditonellapiaga – "Che Fastidio!"
Fedez & Masini – "Male Necessario"
Leo Gassmann – "Naturale"
Sayf – "Tu Mi Piaci Tanto"
Arisa – "Magica Favola"
Tredici Pietro – "Uomo Che Cade"
Sal Da Vinci – "Per Sempre Sì"
Samurai Jay – "Ossessione"
Malika Ayane – "Animali Notturni"
Luchè – "Labirinto"
Raf – "Ora e per Sempre"
Bambole di pezza – "Resta Con Me"
Ermal Meta – "Stella Stellina"
Nayt – "Prima Che"
Elettra Lamborghini – "Voilà"
Michele Bravi – "Prima o Poi"
J-Ax – "Italia Starter Pack"
Enrico Nigiotti – "Ogni Volta Che Non So Volare"
Maria Antonietta & Colombre – "La Felicità e Basta"
Francesco Renga – "Il Meglio di Me"
Mara Sattei – "Le Cose Che Non Sai di Me"
LDA & Aka 7even – "Poesie Clandestine"
Dargen D'Amico – "AI AI"
Levante – "Sei Tu"
Eddie Brock – "Avvoltoi"
Patty Pravo – "Opera"

This diverse lineup spans generations and genres, from established legends like Patty Pravo (a Sanremo icon with decades of Italian music history) to contemporary stars like Fedez, from singer-songwriters to rap artists, ensuring a rich tapestry of Italian musical expression.

The Legendary Teatro Ariston

The Teatro Ariston in Sanremo has been the home of Festival di Sanremo since 1977, becoming synonymous with Italian musical excellence. Located at Via Matteotti 226, this historic venue was designed between 1943 and 1953 by architects Marco Lavarello and Dante Datta, officially opening on May 31, 1963.

The name "Ariston" derives from Ancient Greek, meaning "the best," reflecting the magnificence of the structure. The main auditorium features a stunning frescoed ceiling by painter Charles Cuneo and currently seats 1,909 people (1,222 in the stalls, 619 in the gallery, and 128 in 16 boxes). According to Teatro Ariston, the venue has been equipped with digital projection and 3D capability since 2010.

Beyond hosting Sanremo, the Teatro Ariston serves as a cultural hub for Sanremo, presenting poetry readings, ballets, operas, conferences, exhibitions, and other musical performances throughout the year. The venue's intimate yet grand atmosphere creates the perfect setting for Italy's most important music competition.

Festival Format and Voting

The 76th Festival di Sanremo follows a five-night format, with the opening night serving as the first introduction of all 30 competing songs to the public. Unlike some Eurovision national selections that eliminate contestants early, Sanremo's format allows all artists to perform multiple times across the week, building audience connection and allowing songs to grow on listeners.

The voting system combines multiple elements to ensure a balanced result:

Televoting – Public participation via phone voting
Press Jury – Professional music journalists and critics
Radio Jury – Radio professionals who understand airplay potential

This multi-faceted approach ensures that the winning entry has both popular appeal and professional recognition, qualities essential for success at both Sanremo and potentially at Eurovision.

In addition to the main competition, Festival di Sanremo 2026 features four newcomers (Nuove Proposte) competing in a separate category, continuing the festival's tradition of nurturing emerging Italian talent.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

The opening night of Festival di Sanremo 2026 will be broadcast live on RAI on February 24, 2026. For viewers preferring digital platforms or watching from outside Italy, RaiPlay offers comprehensive streaming coverage. RAI's production values for Sanremo are exceptional, with sophisticated staging, dynamic lighting, and professional camera work that showcases each performance at its best.

RAI has also announced special programming around the festival, including "Sotto Sanremo," an original RaiPlay series offering behind-the-scenes insights into the event. Additionally, the "Suzuki Stage" in Piazza Colombo will feature live performances and activities, extending the festival experience beyond the Teatro Ariston.

Sanremo's Eurovision Connection

Italy's relationship with Eurovision is unique among participating countries. After withdrawing from the contest in 1997, Italy returned in 2011 and has since become one of Eurovision's most consistent performers, with multiple top-five finishes including victories in 2021 with Måneskin's "Zitti e buoni" and 2024.

The Festival di Sanremo winner traditionally receives the "right of first refusal" to represent Italy at Eurovision. This means the winner can choose whether to accept the Eurovision invitation, though most winners embrace the opportunity. As documented by Eurovision.com, this system ensures Italy sends artists who genuinely want to participate in Eurovision, contributing to their authentic and passionate performances.

For Eurovision 2026, Italy will compete in the second semi-final, meaning the Sanremo winner will need to qualify through the semi-final to reach the Grand Final in Vienna on May 16.

Historical Significance

The 76th edition of Festival di Sanremo represents more than seven decades of Italian musical tradition. Since its inception in 1951, Sanremo has launched countless careers, produced timeless Italian classics, and served as a barometer of Italian popular music trends.

The festival has evolved significantly over the decades, from its origins as a simple song competition to its current status as a major cultural event that dominates Italian media for an entire week. Sanremo winners and participants have included some of Italy's greatest musical talents, and the festival continues to attract both established stars and emerging artists eager to be part of this prestigious tradition.

The 2026 edition holds special significance as it takes place during a year when Eurovision returns to Vienna, creating a connection between Italian and Austrian musical traditions.

Why February 24-28?

The 2026 festival dates are later than usual in February to avoid overlapping with the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which RAI is also broadcasting. This scheduling demonstrates RAI's commitment to giving both events the attention they deserve, ensuring Festival di Sanremo receives undivided focus during its five-night run.

Join the Festival di Sanremo Experience

The opening night of Festival di Sanremo 2026 promises an unforgettable evening of Italian musical excellence. With 30 exceptional artists presenting their new songs for the first time, hosted by Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini at the legendary Teatro Ariston, this event represents the pinnacle of Italian popular music.

Whether you're a dedicated Eurovision fan eager to discover Italy's potential 2026 entry, a lover of Italian music, or simply appreciate world-class musical performances, the first night of Sanremo offers something special. The combination of established stars, emerging talents, and the prestige of Italy's most important music competition creates a unique cultural moment.

Tune in to RAI or stream via RaiPlay on February 24, 2026, to witness the opening of the 76th Festival di Sanremo. This is where Italian music history is made – don't miss the beginning of this extraordinary journey!

For more information about Festival di Sanremo 2026, visit the official RaiPlay website and Eurovision.com.

Night 1 Results

Night 1 concluded on 24 February 2026 at Teatro Ariston. Below are the official results.

Top 5 – Press Jury (Web/TV/Radio)

Ditonellapiaga – "Che fastidio!"
Arisa – "Magica favola"
Fulminacci – "Stupida sfortuna"
Fedez and Marco Masini – "Male necessario"
Serena Brancale – "Qui con me"

Note: All 30 artists continue competing across the remaining nights. The Press Jury Top 5 is one of several cumulative voting rounds that contribute to the overall Grand Final ranking.

What's Next?

Festival di Sanremo 2026 continues through 28 February. The Grand Final determines the overall winner, who earns the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Visit the Events Calendar to follow all upcoming nights.