Sanremo 2026 Kicks Off: A Night of Music and Tradition
The 76th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival began today, February 24th, with the first of five nights of performances at the Teatro Ariston. The event, a cornerstone of Italian music and culture, promises a blend of established artists and rising stars, captivating audiences both in Italy, and internationally.
The Lineup: 30 Big Artists Take the Stage
All 30 competing artists performed their original songs for the first time tonight. The performances will be evaluated by the Jury of the Press, TV, and Web, who will reveal the top five songs, though not in ranked order. This initial judging sets the stage for a week of escalating competition.
- Arisa with Magica favola
- Bambole di Pezza with Resta con me
- Chiello with Ti penso sempre
- Dargen D’Amico with AI AI
- Ditonellapiaga with Che fastidio!
- Eddie Brock with Avvoltoi
- Elettra Lamborghini with Voilà
- Enrico Nigiotti with Ogni volta che non so volare
- Ermal Meta with Stella stellina
- Fedez &. Marco Masini with Male necessario
- Francesco Renga with Il meglio di me
- Fulminacci with Stupida sfortuna
- J-Ax with Italia Starter Pack
- LDA & Aka7even with Poesie clandestine
- Leo Gassmann with Naturale
- Levante with Sei tu
- Luchè with Labirinto
- Malika Ayane with Animali notturni
- Mara Sattei with Le cose che non sai di me
- Maria Antonietta & Colombre with La felicità e basta
- Michele Bravi with Prima o poi
- Nayt with Prima che
- Patty Pravo with Opera
- Raf with Ora e per sempre
- Sal Da Vinci with Per sempre sì
- Samurai Jay with Ossessione
- Sayf with Tu mi piaci tanto
- Serena Brancale with Qui con me
- Tommaso Paradiso with I romantici
- Tredici Pietro with Uomo che cade
Hosts and Special Guests Illuminate the Stage
Carlo Conti returns as the artistic director and main host, joined by Laura Pausini. Can Yaman served as the co-host for the evening. Tiziano Ferro celebrated 25 years of his career with a special performance, marking a significant moment in Italian music history. Max Pezzali will perform from a ship docked off the coast each night, and Gaia will perform live in Piazza Colombo.
A Festival Beyond the Theater Walls
Sanremo 2026 extends beyond the Teatro Ariston, with events and concerts taking place throughout the city, creating a vibrant atmosphere for fans. This initiative, “Tra palco e città,” aims to bring the festival experience to a wider audience.
Broadcast and Viewing Options
The festival is broadcast live on Rai1 in Italy and streamed on RaiPlay. Viewers in Romania can watch on TVR 1.
Did you know?
The Sanremo Music Festival has been running for over 70 years, becoming a defining cultural event in Italy.
FAQ
- When does Sanremo 2026 take place? February 24-28, 2026.
- Where is Sanremo 2026 held? At the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, Italy.
- Who are the hosts of Sanremo 2026? Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, with rotating co-hosts.
- How can I watch Sanremo 2026? On Rai1 (Italy), RaiPlay (streaming), or TVR 1 (Romania).
Stay tuned for further updates as Sanremo 2026 unfolds!
