The iconic Sanremo Music Festival is a major event in Italian culture, and for 2026, it’s shaping up to be an unmissable spectacle. This year marks the 76th edition, and it’s not just about the music; it’s a gateway to representing Italy on the global stage at Eurovision. You can catch all the action, from the first note to the final verdict, live from February 24th to February 29th. Annalisa and Ghali are rumored to be strong contenders, adding to the excitement around who will claim victory and the prestigious honor of Italy’s Eurovision spot.
Experiencing Sanremo Live
The heart of the festival beats at the Teatro Ariston, where Carlo Conti returns as host and artistic director. The air is always electric, filled with anticipation for both established artists and emerging talents. The festival format is designed to build momentum over five nights, culminating in a grand finale where the stakes are incredibly high. You’ll hear original songs, witness special performances, and even catch iconic covers, making it a diverse musical journey.
The Competition This Year
For 2026, the festival features 30 established artists, known as Campioni, and a separate section for Nuove Proposte, showcasing new talent. The judging process is a multi-layered affair, involving the public vote (televote), a press jury (TV/web), and a radio jury. The results are carefully tallied across the week, leading up to a thrilling superfinal on the last night. This complex voting system ensures a well-rounded winner, reflecting the diverse opinions of both the industry and the Italian public.
Diving into the Nuove Proposte
The emerging artists are always a highlight, bringing fresh energy and new sounds to the Sanremo stage. This year, you can look forward to performances from Angelica Bove, Nicolò Filippucci, Blind, El Ma & Soniko, and Mazzariello in the newcomers category. Each of them will be performing their tracks, aiming to capture the audience’s attention and perhaps even make a surprising breakthrough.
A Glimpse at the Campioni
With 30 established artists competing, the Campioni section is where many of Italy’s biggest music stars shine. While the full list is extensive, the buzz is already around potential winners like Annalisa and Ghali, with Irama also being tipped for success. Their performances are always polished, showcasing their artistry and experience. Knowing that the winner gets the first chance to represent Italy at Eurovision adds another layer of national pride to their performances.
The Cover Night Tradition
One of the most anticipated nights is the Cover Night, held on Friday, February 27th. On this special evening, all 30 artists revisit classic Italian and international songs, often with a unique twist or a surprise guest. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the artists interpret beloved music and demonstrate their versatility. While this night’s voting doesn’t directly count towards the final winner, it adds a different dimension to the competition and provides a separate award for the best cover performance.
Sanremo’s Special Guests
Beyond the competitors, the Sanremo Music Festival is renowned for its impressive lineup of special guests. The first night, Tuesday, February 24th, will feature performances from international star Tiziano Ferro and the winner of Sanremo 2025, Olly. Also gracing the stage are Gianna Pratesi, celebrating 80 years of the Italian Republic vote, and Gaia. Kabir Bedi will also make an appearance. Throughout the week, Max Pezzali will offer nightly special performances aboard the Costa Toscana, adding a unique nautical flair to the festival. The second night, February 25th, welcomes Olympic athletes like Arianna Fontana, Francesca Lollobrigida, and Lisa Vittozzi, alongside Paralympic champions Giacomo Bertagnolli and Giuliana Turra. Bresh and The Kolors will also be performing from the Suzuki Stage. Mid-week, on Thursday, February 26th, international superstar Alicia Keys is set to perform, alongside Italian pop icon Eros Ramazzotti, with The Kolors continuing their presence on the Suzuki Stage. Friday’s Cover Night, February 27th, will see fashion icon Bianca Balti as a special guest, with Francesco Gabbani performing from the Suzuki Stage. The grand finale on Saturday, February 28th, boasts a truly legendary guest: the globally celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli. The band Pooh will also perform from the Suzuki Stage on the final night.
Following the Schedule Day by Day
The festival kicks off at 20:40 CET each night, often extending late into the evening. The format progresses logically, with each night bringing new performances and voting segments.
First Night Discoveries
Tuesday, February 24th, marks the grand opening. All 30 main artists perform their songs for the very first time. The rankings for this evening are determined solely by the Press Jury (Sala Stampa/TV/Web). At the end of the show, a provisional Top 5 is announced, giving you an early indication of the artists gaining traction.
Second Night Dynamics
On Wednesday, February 25th, the first half of the artists, 15 in total, perform their songs again. The voting mechanism shifts to a combination of 50% Televote and 50% Radio Jury. A new provisional Top 5 for this specific night is then revealed, offering another snapshot of audience and radio favor.
Third Night Momentum
Thursday, February 26th, features the remaining 15 artists performing their songs a second time. Similar to the previous night, the voting is split between the Televote and the Radio Jury, with a fresh Top 5 of the night being announced.
Fourth Night Celebrations
Friday, February 27th, is dedicated to the highly entertaining Cover Night. All 30 artists take to the stage to perform cover versions of well-known songs, often collaborating with guests. Importantly, the voting results from this night do not impact the overall Sanremo winner rankings. The voting is a blend of Televote, Press Jury, and Radio Jury. A separate winner for the Cover Night is announced, adding another accolade.
The Grand Final Showdown
Saturday, February 28th, is the culmination of the week. All 30 artists perform their original entries one last time. The combined results from Nights 1, 2, and 3 are used to determine the overall Top 5 artists. These five finalists then return for a Superfinal performance. In this decisive round, the voting is again a mix of Televote, Press Jury, and Radio Jury. The artist with the highest combined score is crowned the Sanremo 2026 winner and earns the prestigious right to represent Italy at Eurovision.
Accessing the Festival Globally
While the Sanremo Music Festival is an Italian affair, its popularity has spread worldwide. For those outside of Italy, keeping up with the live broadcast might require a little planning. The festival is broadcast on Rai in Italy, and their streaming service, RaiPlay, offers a free way to watch. Even if you’re traveling abroad, a reliable VPN can help you connect to RaiPlay as if you were still in Italy. This ensures you don’t miss a single performance or moment of the competition, no matter your location.
How to Stream for Free
The entire Sanremo Music Festival 2026 is available to stream for free on Rai and RaiPlay within Italy. Rai is a free-to-air channel, and RaiPlay requires no sign-up, making it incredibly accessible. You can also find press conferences, interviews, and the pre- and post-show programs, PrimaFestival and DopoFestival, on RaiPlay. All episodes are available on-demand after they air. Performances are typically uploaded to the Rai YouTube channel after the event but may be removed after a few weeks.
Watching from Anywhere
If you’re outside of Italy and find yourself blocked from accessing RaiPlay, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is your solution. By connecting to an Italian server through your VPN, your device will appear to be in Italy, allowing you to access RaiPlay and stream the festival as if you were at home. This is particularly useful for catching the live broadcasts and ensuring you stay connected to all the musical action.
International Viewing Tips
Currently, there are no official international broadcasters for the Sanremo Music Festival. However, the RaiPlay stream is usually accessible globally. This means you can tune into the Italian feed from anywhere in the world, though all commentary and information will be in Italian. If you encounter any geoblocking issues while traveling outside of Italy, a VPN is an effective tool to unblock the free RaiPlay stream and enjoy the festival, just as if you were in the heart of Italy.
A Family Moment
During a lull one evening, while Michael was on a call and the kids were winding down, Lily excitedly pointed at the screen. She recognized a singer from a cartoon she’d seen and began humming along. Ethan, though younger, was captivated by the dazzling lights and costumes on stage. It was a simple moment, but seeing them engaged with the festival, even in their own ways, made the experience feel more shared and memorable. It’s these little unexpected connections that make travel experiences richer, even when they’re happening in our own living room through a screen.
The Sanremo Music Festival in 2026 offers a fantastic window into Italian music and culture. You can enjoy the competition, discover new artists, and witness incredible performances, all accessible from wherever you are.