Semi-Final 1 Results

This event concluded on 4 March 2026, at Teatro Nuovo in Dogana. Hosted by Maddalena Corvaglia and Marco Carrara, the show featured all 20 acts performing live before an international jury. The five acts with the highest jury scores advanced directly to the Grand Final on 6 March.

✅ Qualifiers to the Grand Final

Anna Smith – "Bruised"
MATIAS FERREIRA – "PAURA"
MYKY – "Outta Tune"
ORPHY – "Rise Again"
Pellegrina Pibigas – "Il Giorno Che"

Eliminated

4CALAMANO – "Twilight"
Alien Cut feat. Tayma – "Etherina"
Capabrò – "Lavorare fa schifo"
DAUDIA – "Talk About It"
ERISU – "Ghost of Ninive"
Giacomo Voli – "Figaro"
Lorenzo Bonfire – "Ode to Guilt"
METIRIA – "Attention Seeker"
MRTINA – "My Insanity"
N'ice Cream – "Not the Winner"
Ryan Song – "Break the Cage"
Samuele Di Nicolò – "Non tornare più"
Sheila – "Zemra e Tokes"
Star Guy – "Star Shadez"
stefano – "Pesce rosso"

The evening also featured a special guest performance by Aidan, who will represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

View the official coverage on San Marino RTV – San Marino Song Contest: chi trionfa alla prima semifinale.

What's Next?

The five qualifiers join 5 more acts from Semi-Final 2 and 10 directly invited artists in the Grand Final. Visit the Events Calendar for all upcoming Eurovision 2026 events.

San Marino Song Contest 2026 – Semi-Final 1: The Road to Eurovision Begins

On Wednesday, 4 March 2026, the curtain rises on one of the most exciting chapters in San Marino's Eurovision journey. The San Marino Song Contest 2026 Semi-Final 1 takes place at the iconic Teatro Nuovo in Dogana, kicking off three nights of live competition that will ultimately determine who represents the tiny microstate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Sixteen talented acts will take the stage, each fighting for one of just five coveted spots in the Grand Final on 6 March.

San Marino's national selection has evolved dramatically in recent years, growing from a small internal process into a fully-fledged, internationally-watched competition. The San Marino Song Contest brand, introduced in 2025, builds on the legacy of the beloved "Una Voce per San Marino" format and raises the stakes even higher with a larger pool of international talent, a rigorous casting process, and a live academy phase that whittled hundreds of hopefuls down to the final 40 semi-finalists.

The Contestants: Twenty Acts Chasing a Eurovision Dream

Semi-Final 1 features a diverse and internationally flavoured lineup of 20 acts, each bringing a unique sound and story to the Teatro Nuovo stage. From operatic powerhouses to indie pop innovators, the range of musical styles on offer makes this one of the most eclectic semi-finals in recent national selection history.

4CALAMANO – "Twilight"

4CALAMANO opens the competition with "Twilight," a moody, atmospheric track that blends cinematic production with raw vocal emotion. The act brings a theatrical flair that is perfectly suited to the Eurovision stage.

Alien Cut feat. Tayma – "Etherina"

Electronic duo Alien Cut, featuring vocalist Tayma, deliver "Ethernia," a pulsating dance track with ethereal overtones. Their high-energy performance style is designed to captivate both the live audience and television viewers at home.

Anna Smith – "Bruised"

British-influenced pop artist Anna Smith presents "Bruised," a heartfelt ballad about resilience and emotional recovery. Her powerful voice and understated stage presence make her one of the early favourites to watch in Semi-Final 1.

Capabrò – "Lavorare fa schifo"

Bringing a dose of irreverent humour and social commentary, Capabrò performs "Lavorare fa schifo" (roughly translated as "Work Sucks"). The track is a quirky, upbeat commentary on modern working life that is sure to raise a smile.

DAUDIA – "Talk About It"

DAUDIA is no stranger to the San Marino selection process, having competed in previous editions. "Talk About It" is a confident, contemporary R&B-pop track that showcases her vocal range and charismatic stage presence.

ERISU – "Ghost of Ninive"

With a name inspired by ancient Mesopotamia, ERISU brings a dramatic, cinematic quality to "Ghost of Ninive." The track blends Middle Eastern musical influences with modern production, creating a genuinely unique sonic experience.

Giacomo Voli – "Figaro"

One of the most recognisable names in the lineup, Giacomo Voli is a celebrated Italian rock vocalist who has previously competed in San Marino's selection. "Figaro" is a bold, operatic rock piece that showcases his extraordinary vocal power and theatrical instincts.

Lorenzo Bonfire – "Ode to Guilt"

Lorenzo Bonfire takes a more introspective approach with "Ode to Guilt," a brooding alternative rock track that explores themes of regret and self-reflection. His raw, authentic delivery sets him apart from the more polished pop acts in the competition.

MATIAS FERREIRA – "PAURA"

Argentine-born artist MATIAS FERREIRA brings a Latin-European fusion to the contest with "PAURA" (Italian for "Fear"). The track blends passionate Latin rhythms with contemporary European pop sensibilities, creating an infectious and danceable entry.

METIRIA – "Attention Seeker"

METIRIA delivers a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek pop anthem with "Attention Seeker." The track is a confident, hook-laden piece that plays on the themes of social media culture and the modern desire for recognition.

MRTINA – "My Insanity"

MRTINA channels raw emotional intensity into "My Insanity," a dramatic pop-rock track about the chaos of falling in love. Her powerful stage presence and vocal conviction make her a compelling performer to watch.

MYKY – "Outta Tune"

Indie-pop act MYKY brings a refreshingly offbeat energy to the competition with "Outta Tune," a playful track that celebrates imperfection and individuality. The song's catchy melody and relatable message give it strong audience appeal.

N'ice Cream – "Not the Winner"

With a name as playful as their music, N'ice Cream perform "Not the Winner" – a cheeky, self-deprecating pop song that paradoxically might just win over the jury. Their fun, colourful aesthetic is a breath of fresh air in the competition.

ORPHY – "Rise Again"

ORPHY delivers an uplifting anthem of perseverance with "Rise Again." The track's gospel-influenced production and soaring chorus make it a natural crowd-pleaser, combining emotional depth with an irresistible sense of hope.

Pellegrina Pibigas – "Il Giorno Che"

Italian artist Pellegrina Pibigas brings a lyrical, poetic quality to the competition with "Il Giorno Che" ("The Day That"). The song is a tender, reflective piece that showcases her delicate vocal style and emotional storytelling ability.

Ryan Song – "Break the Cage"

Ryan Song brings a powerful message of liberation and self-determination with "Break the Cage." The track's anthemic chorus and driving rock production make it one of the most energetic entries in the semi-final.

Samuele Di Nicolò – "Non tornare più"

Local San Marinese artist Samuele Di Nicolò performs "Non tornare più" ("Don't Come Back"), a heartfelt Italian-language ballad about the pain of a relationship's end. His connection to the host nation adds an extra layer of significance to his performance.

Sheila – "Zemra e Tokes"

Sheila brings an Albanian-language entry with "Zemra e Tokes" ("Heart of the Earth"), a folk-influenced pop track that celebrates cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her performance promises to be one of the most visually distinctive of the evening.

Star Guy – "Star Shadez"

Star Guy brings a retro-futuristic pop aesthetic to the competition with "Star Shadez." The track blends 80s synth-pop influences with modern production, creating a nostalgic yet fresh sound that stands out in the lineup.

stefano – "Pesce rosso"

Closing the lineup, stefano performs "Pesce rosso" ("Goldfish"), a whimsical, metaphor-rich pop song about feeling trapped and longing for freedom. The track's gentle melody and clever lyricism make it a thoughtful and memorable entry.

The Venue: Teatro Nuovo, Dogana

The Teatro Nuovo (New Theatre) in Dogana, located in the Serravalle municipality of San Marino, is the largest theatre in the Republic, with a capacity of 872 seats, including 604 in the stalls. Built in the 1970s in a rationalist architectural style, the venue has become San Marino's premier cultural space, hosting theatrical productions, film screenings, and major national events. Its proximity to the Italian border makes it easily accessible for audiences from both San Marino and the surrounding Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

The Teatro Nuovo has a proud history of hosting San Marino's Eurovision national selections, including the Grand Final of "Una Voce per San Marino" in 2022. Its intimate yet professional atmosphere creates the perfect setting for the high-stakes drama of a live national selection competition. For more information about the venue, visit the San Marino Teatro official website.

Competition Format and Voting

The San Marino Song Contest 2026 follows a straightforward but exciting format. In Semi-Final 1, all 16 acts perform their songs live before a panel of five expert jurors. The jury evaluates each performance on criteria including vocal performance, stage presence, song quality, and Eurovision potential. The top five acts from the jury vote advance directly to the Grand Final on 6 March.

The 10 semi-final qualifiers (5 from each semi-final) will then join 10 established, directly-invited artists in the Grand Final, creating a 20-act final that promises to be one of the most competitive in the contest's history. The invited artists are selected by SMRTV, San Marino's public broadcaster, and are expected to be announced on 26 February 2026.

Broadcast Information

The San Marino Song Contest 2026 Semi-Final 1 will be broadcast live on San Marino RTV (SMRTV), available on channel 831 via DTT, channel 520 on Sky Italia, and channel 93 on TvSat. International viewers can watch the live stream free of charge at sanmarinortv.sm. The show also airs on Radio San Marino (FM 102.7) for audio-only listeners.

San Marino's Eurovision Legacy

San Marino has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its debut in 2008, making it one of the newer members of the Eurovision family. Despite its tiny size – with a population of just over 34,000 – the microstate has consistently punched above its weight, achieving its best result of 19th place in 2019 with Serhat's "Say Na Na Na." The nation first qualified for the Eurovision Grand Final in 2014, a milestone that opened the door to greater international visibility.

The national selection format has evolved significantly over the years. After years of internal selections, San Marino introduced "Una Voce per San Marino" in 2022, which produced memorable winners including Achille Lauro (2022), Piqued Jacks (2023), and Megara (2024). In 2025, the contest was rebranded as the "San Marino Song Contest," with Gabry Ponte winning with "Tutta L'Italia." The 2026 edition builds on this momentum with an even larger and more internationally diverse field of competitors.

Don't miss a single moment of the action – tune in to San Marino Song Contest 2026 Semi-Final 1 on 4 March and cheer on your favourite act as they chase their Eurovision dream!