Perchè Sanremo è Sanremo!
It’s that time of the year again, where the legendary Festival di Sanremo takes place. Pushed back a couple of weeks this year due to the Winter Olympics being hosted in Milan & Cortina, it is now time for the week of Italian music many have been waiting for.
This year marks the 76th edition of Sanremo, and 30 acts will take the stage for it with hopes of placing their name in Sanremo history. Like last year, Carlo Conti has returned as the main host & artistic director. All five nights will be held at none other than Teatro Ariston.
Related storyItaly: The 30 artists for Sanremo 2026 have been announced
Each of the 30 acts performed their songs tonight for Night 1. Closing out the night, we see who placed in the top 5 (in a random order) determined by a press jury (TV & online media) ranking:
Arisa – “Magica favola”Fulminacci – “Stupida sfortuna”Serena Brancale – “Qui con me”Ditonellapiaga – “Che fastidio”Fedez & Marco Masini – “Male necessario”
Below shows us the top 5 in a random order. All 30 songs are also available to listen to down below or on streaming platforms.
Sanremo 2026 – 1st night
In typical Sanremo fashion, we see co-hosts join the stage alongside Carlo Conti. Tonight, Laura Pausini and Can Yaman helped give us a memorable Night 1 as co-hosts. Laura Pausini will be hosting alongside Carlo Conti for all 5 nights.
Sanremo is nothing without amazing interval acts and guests! To kick off Sanremo 2026, Olly performed his Sanremo 2025 winning song ‘Balorda Nostalgia‘.
Taking the Suzuki Stage tonight is Gaia, giving us a sensational performance of her Sanremo 2025 hit ‘Chiamo io chiami tu‘.
We also experience Tiziano Ferro show us a wonderful interval act performing numerous songs that captivated the audience. Max Pezzali takes the Costa Contana Stage, and presents us with a fun and upbeat medley of songs that charmed viewers tonight.
Tomorrow will see 15 acts perform their songs again. The top 5 of Night 2 will be revealed at the end of the night and will be determined by a 50/50 split between radio jury and televote. Achille Lauro (San Marino 2022) will be a guest co-host.
Nuove Proposte will take place tomorrow at the start of Night 2, where four acts who advanced from Sanremo Giovani in December. Two duels will take place, with one act advancing from each one.
This year marks the 76th edition of Festival di Sanremo. There will be five shows across five nights, all hosted by Artistic Director Carlo Conti, alongside Laura Pausini from the Teatro Artison in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy. 30 songs are taking part in Sanremo 2026.
Sanremo 2026All about Sanremo 2026
Night 1 – Tuesday, 24 February:
All 30 acts took the stage to perform their song. The top 5 of Night 1 was released in a random order. Vote determined via 100% press jury (TV, online media). Co-host: Can Yaman.
Night 2 – Wednesday, 25 February:
15 artists perform their songs again. The top 5 of Night 2 will be revealed in a random order. Vote determined via 50% radio jury, 50% televote. Co-host: Achille Lauro
Night 3 – Thursday, 26 February:
The remaining 15 artists perform their songs again. The top 5 of Night 3 will be revealed in a random order. Vote determined via 50% radio jury, 50% televote.
Night 4 – Friday, 27 February:
Cover Night! All 30 artists will perform a cover of their choice, either solo or alongside another singer. The winning cover song will be announced at the end of the night (results separate from actual Sanremo winner). Vote determined via 33% radio jury, 33% press jury (TV, online media), 34% televote.
Night 5 – Saturday, 28 February:
L’ultima notte! All 30 acts perform again with the top 5 (totaled from Nights 1, 2, 3, & 5) will advance to the Superfinal. One of the acts in the Superfinal will take home the Sanremo 2026 crown, and the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. Vote determined via 33% radio jury, 33% press jury (TV, online media), 34% televote.
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest Italy 2021: Måneskin – “Zitti e buoni”
Italy has participated in 50 Eurovision contests. They have won three times:
Their worst result came in 1966, when they finished last.
Italy 2021: Måneskin – “Zitti e buoni”
Italy’s most well-known song is “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu,” better known as “Volare” from 1958. It is also the most covered Eurovision Song Contest song ever. The song has been covered by famous stars such as Dean Martin, Cliff Richard, David Bowie and many more.
Italy took a long pause from the Eurovision Song Contest between 1998 and 2010. Since then, Italy has been a “Big-5” country, which means they don’t have to go through the Semi-final round and are automatically qualified for the Grand Final.