The Festival di Sanremo 2026 promises an exciting week of music and competition. Scheduled to take place from February 24 to 28, 2026, the festival will be broadcast live on Rai 1 from the iconic Ariston Theatre. Renowned host Carlo Conti will steer the event, which will feature both established and emerging talents.
Overview of the Competition
This year’s festival will showcase 30 entries in the “Campioni” category and 4 in the “Nuove Proposte” segment. The event spans five nights, culminating in a thrilling finale where the top song is announced. One highlight will be the fourth night, dedicated to cover performances featuring guest artists.
Jury System and Voting Process
Voting is crucial throughout the festival. Each night, the rankings depend on votes from various juries:
- Public Vote: Conducted via fixed and mobile phone Televoto.
- Press Jury: Comprising accredited media representatives.
- Radio Jury: Consisting of national and local radio stations, representing the Italian territory.
Nightly Breakdown of Events
Here’s how the five nights will unfold:
First Night (February 24, 2026)
All 30 competing songs will be performed by the artists. Voting will occur, and the top 5 songs will be revealed, although their specific ranking will not be disclosed.
Second Night (February 25, 2026)
Fifteen songs will be performed. The public and radio juries will vote, revealing another set of five songs. Additionally, the four “Nuove Proposte” artists will compete in direct challenges, with the top two advancing to the next evening.
Third Night (February 26, 2026)
The remaining 15 songs by “Campioni” will be showcased. The top five songs will again be announced without specific order. The two “Nuove Proposte” finalists will perform, and the highest-voted entry will be crowned the category winner.
Fourth Night (February 27, 2026)
In a special event, the 30 contestants will perform covers from a selection of songs released before December 31, 2025. The song with the highest votes from all juries will be declared the cover night winner.
Final Night (February 28, 2026)
The finale will recap all 30 songs once more. Voting from all juries will culminate in a final top five announcement. A new round of voting will determine the overall winner from these five songs, culminating in the selection of the festival’s champion, along with placement for the second to fifth positions.
Conclusion
Sanremo 2026 will continue the tradition of showcasing Italy’s musical talent through a rigorous voting process and engaging performances. With a blend of competition and entertainment, the festival will undoubtedly attract fans from all over, making it an important event in the music calendar.
