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Festival di Sanremo 2026:
New Dates, Carlo Conti & What to Expect This Year

The countdown has officially begun. Festival di Sanremo 2026 — Italy’s most iconic music event — is gearing up for a historic edition, and fans across the world are already buzzing with anticipation.

RAI has confirmed that the 76th Sanremo Music Festival will run from Tuesday, February 24, to Saturday, February 28, 2026, broadcasting live from the legendary Teatro Ariston. And yes… this year’s festival comes with a twist.

Why Sanremo 2026 Is Starting Later Than Usual

February 2026 will be one of the most intense months in Italian broadcasting history.

Italy is hosting the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, taking place from February 2 to 26, and RAI will be the network responsible for broadcasting the Games nationwide. To avoid overlapping two of the country’s biggest media events, RAI made the strategic decision to push Sanremo to the final week of February — the latest dates since 2021.

This move sets the stage for a post-Olympic celebration of Italian music, perfectly timed to keep national excitement at its peak.

Carlo Conti Returns: A New Artistic Direction

For 2026, Carlo Conti steps back into the spotlight as both host and Artistic Director, bringing experience, elegance, and a proven track record of successful editions.

With Conti at the helm, fans can expect:

A balanced mix of Italian stars and fresh newcomers
High-production staging
A more classic yet polished Sanremo atmosphere
The return of beloved elements like Cover Night and multi-jury voting

How Sanremo 2026 Will Work

The festival maintains its traditional five-night structure, featuring:

Night 1–2: Performances

All artists present their original songs, allowing viewers and juries to form early favorites.

Night 3: Cover Night

A highlight every year, where artists reinterpret iconic Italian and international hits.

Night 4: Tournament + Voting Mix

Juries include:

📰 Press Room
📻 Radio Jury
📱 Televote

Each contributes to the evolving ranking.

Night 5: Grand Finale

The top acts face off for the final vote — and the winner traditionally earns the right to represent Italy at Eurovision.

RAI has not yet confirmed whether Sanremo 2026 will directly select Italy’s Eurovision 2026 representative, but historically, the Festival winner receives the invitation.

Sanremo, Eurovision, and Italy’s Legacy

Italy remains one of Eurovision’s powerhouse participants.
Some quick highlights:

🇮🇹 3 Eurovision wins: 1964, 1990, 2021
Top 10 finishes almost every year since their return in 2011
2025’s representative, Lucio Corsi, finished 5th with “Volevo essere un duro”

All eyes are now on Sanremo 2026 to see who could follow in those footsteps.

Why This Year Is Generating So Much Buzz

Sanremo 2026 feels special for several reasons:

⭐ A post-Olympic national celebration
⭐ Carlo Conti’s return as Artistic Director
⭐ A refreshed competition structure with strong jury presence
⭐ Potential Eurovision implications
⭐ The latest Sanremo start in 5 years, creating a unique TV moment

Music fans, Eurovision watchers, and Italian pop culture lovers are all aligned on one thing:
This Sanremo is going to be huge.

Stay Tuned — More Announcements Coming Soon

As we get closer, RAI will reveal:

The official cast of competing artists
Guest performers and special moments
Stage design previews
Eurovision confirmation
Night-by-night lineup details

We’ll be covering every update — from artist announcements to predictions and behind-the-scenes insights.

Sanremo 2026 is almost here… and it promises to be unmissable.

Final Thoughts — A Cultural Home Abroad

From trusted news and world-class entertainment to sports, culture and original programming, Rai Italia remains the most complete and authentic Italian network available internationally.

For millions of Italians abroad, it is more than a channel, it is a home, a tradition and a connection to Italy.

Festival di Sanremo 2026: New Dates, Carlo Conti & What to Expect This Year