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Italy’s road to Eurovision 2026 will take a decisive step on Sunday 7 December, when artistic director and host Carlo Conti unveils the full line-up of “Big” artists for the Sanremo Music Festival 2026.
The announcement will be made live during TG1, RAI’s flagship news programme, starting at 13:30 CET.
Rumoured line-up
Italian media has been rife with speculation about who will take the Ariston stage. Names in circulation include former winner Blanco, reigning champion Angelina Mango, pop provocateur Elettra Lamborghini, and international star Tiziano Ferro. More left-field chatter has even mentioned Estonian rapper Tommy Cash. None of these are confirmed, and the full list will only be official once RAI reveals it on 7 December.
What we know
- Festival dates: Sanremo 2026 will run from 24–28 February 2026 at Teatro Ariston.
- Format: As in 2025, the “Big” category will dominate the shows, but it’s not yet clear if the number of competing artists will remain at 30 or be reduced.
- Nuove Proposte: Four newcomers will also join — two from Sanremo Giovani 2025 and two from Area Sanremo. Rules for this section have already been published.
- Host: Carlo Conti returns as both host and artistic director, continuing his long association with the festival.
Why it matters
Sanremo is not just Italy’s most-watched music show, but also the mechanism by which Italy selects its Eurovision entry. The winner earns the right to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. And if you’re wondering, RAI hasn’t made any specific statement on whether Italy will take part in Vienna, so you can likely assume they’ll confirm in mid December.
What’s next
- 7 December 2025: Line-up reveal during TG1 at 13:30 CET.
- 24–28 February 2026: Sanremo 2026 live shows from Teatro Ariston.
Expect more details soon from RAI on voting rules, number of “Big” entries, and staging.
