On Sunday’s Tg1 broadcast, Carlo Conti – who will once again serve as host and artistic director – revealed the lineup for the main competition at the 2026 Sanremo Music Festival. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 through Saturday, February 28.
This year’s roster includes Tommaso Paradiso, Chiello, Serena Brancale, Fulminacci, Ditonellapiaga, Fedez and Marco Masini, Leo Gassmann, Sayf, Arisa, Tredici Pietro, Sal Da Vinci, Samurai Jay, Malika Ayane, Luchè, Raf, Bambole di Pezza, Ermal Meta, Nayt, Elettra Lamborghini, Michele Bravi, J-Ax, Enrico Nigiotti, Maria Antonietta & Colombre, Francesco Renga, Mara Sattei, Dargen D’Amico, Levante, Eddie Brock, Patty Pravo, LDA and AKA 7even.
Several of these artists are returning veterans. For Masini, this will mark his tenth appearance, while Renga reaches his eighth and Meta competes for the sixth time. Others are stepping onto the Sanremo stage for the first time, including Bambole di Pezza, Sayf, Eddie Brock and Chiello. The lineup spans multiple generations: between the oldest contestant, Patty Pravo at 77, and the youngest, LDA at 22, there is a 55-year age gap.
The festival is being held later than usual to avoid overlapping with the Milan–Cortina Olympic Games, which would have created significant scheduling and media challenges. Moving the dates allows Sanremo to maintain its usual prominence in Italy’s cultural calendar without competing for nationwide attention.
Last year’s edition ended with Olly taking first place with the song “Balorda nostalgia.” Although Lucio Corsi finished second with “Volevo essere un duro,” he ultimately represented Italy at Eurovision after Olly chose not to take part in the international contest. Brunori Sas completed the podium in third place with “L’albero delle noci.”
With a mix of established stars, rising voices and first-time performers, the 2026 festival promises a broad snapshot of today’s Italian music scene. The announcement has already sparked the usual predictions, debates and excitement that accompany the run-up to Sanremo each year, as audiences wait to hear the new songs that will define the next edition of this long-running event.
