Sanremo 2026 is already shaping up to be a standout edition of Italy’s iconic national final for Eurovision – with changes to the calendar, legal battles, and even talk of a new location stirring debate.
Since this article covers several key developments, feel free to jump to the section you’re most interested in using the links below:
Later than ever: Sanremo 2026 moves to the end of February
Unlike previous years, Sanremo 2026 will take place from 24 to 28 February. This is due to the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, which are scheduled between 6 and 22 February. To avoid overlapping two major televised events, RAI has opted to postpone the festival to the final week of the month.
This decision aims to avoid the logistical and audience challenges of competing for airtime with the Olympics. The new dates will be officially confirmed during RAI’s annual programming event in Naples on 27 July.
The public tender controversy
One big change for Sanremo 2026 is the introduction of a public tender process. For years, the Municipality of Sanremo gave RAI the rights to organise the festival without any competition. But a recent ruling by the Regional Administrative Court of Liguria (TAR) decided this approach isn’t legal. The court stated that, since Sanremo is considered a public event, its organisation must be awarded through an open and transparent bidding process.
This all started when Sergio Cerruti, head of Italy’s independent music label association, questioned why RAI kept getting the job without competition. His challenge led to the court ruling, which now allows other broadcasters or companies the chance to take over the festival in the future.
Even though the law now requires an open competition, according to Ansa.it, RAI was the only one to officially apply before the May 2025 deadline. Right now, they’re in talks with the Municipality to sort out the details, but the legal drama isn’t over yet. The Council of State still has to decide on the appeals from both sides later this year.
Carlo Conti returns amid rumours
Veteran presenter Carlo Conti is set to return as the festival’s host and artistic director. Conti, who previously presented the contest in 2015, 2016 and 2017, stepped back into the role in 2025 following Amadeus’ departure. His return has largely been welcomed, though recent political tensions have stirred debate.
Carlo Conti’s participation in Sanremo has been uncertain due to his support for Palestine, a stance that has sparked discussion within Italy’s media circles. This has become particularly relevant in light of Sanremo 2024, after artists like Ghali – who participated that edition with Casa Mia and Dargen D’Amico, who performed Onda Alta – used their performances to make pro-Palestinian statements.
Their cases have sparked broader conversations about artistic freedom and political expression in Italian media. A number of other artists (many of them familiar faces at Sanremo) have also voiced support for Palestine. These include last edition’s participants Achille Lauro, Elodie, Gaia, Rkomi, Brunori Sas, Willie Peyote and Francesca Michielin (who represented Italy at Eurovision 2016); former contestants such as Ditonellapiaga (2022); Diodato, the 2020 winner; and Marco Mengoni, who won in both 2013 and 2023 and finished 4th at Eurovision in 2023, among others.
Who will organize Sanremo 2026?
One big question still hangs in the air: who will organise Sanremo 2026? With RAI no longer guaranteed the rights, this transition period has left the festival’s future up in the air. If the broadcaster doesn’t secure the contract during negotiations – or loses out in future tenders – Sanremo could, for the first time ever, end up in the hands of a different network.
Despite these tensions, RAI argues that the festival’s identity is inseparable from its production, claiming the brand and format are now intrinsically linked. However, the TAR ruling stated that while the Municipality owns the Sanremo brand, it can be freely associated with any format through public procedure.
What happens after Sanremo 2026?
As if the future of the festival weren’t complicated enough, RAI is now preparing to move it out of Sanremo altogether starting in 2027. According to Il Messaggero, tensions with the Municipality have escalated, fuelled by rising costs and concerns over the city’s outdated infrastructure.
In response, RAI is reportedly considering a brand-new travelling format for the Festival – a first in its history – which would take the iconic event on tour through some of Italy’s most picturesque locations. Among the proposed destinations are Versilia, Sorrento, Paestum, Gargano, and Senigallia.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed, this move could signal the end of Sanremo’s long-standing connection to the Teatro Ariston, the Festival’s home since 1977. If the plans go ahead, the 2026 edition may be the last in its traditional format.
While most people refer to the event as Sanremo, that name comes from the city it takes place in. If the festival moves elsewhere from 2027, it would no longer be called Sanremo. Instead, it will keep its official name: Il Festival della Canzone Italiana (The Italian Song Festival) – similar to how Portugal has Festival da Canção or Albania has Festivali i Këngës.
Sanremo and Eurovision: still linked?
Sanremo is not officially a national final, but it has effectively functioned as Italy’s method of Eurovision selection. Some within the Italian delegation have questioned whether the format is “too traditional” or “not international enough.” These voices have proposed creating a separate national final specifically for Eurovision, designed with a Eurovision-style format.
Others argue that Sanremo has delivered Italy’s best Eurovision results, including a win in 2021 and several top-five finishes. This debate continues, but as of now, there is no confirmation that Italy will move away from using Sanremo as its Eurovision selection method.
Italy’s Eurovision journey
Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since the very beginning and have always been considered a powerhouse in the contest. The country has won the contest on three occasions in 1964, 1990 and 2021. Italy withdrew after 1997, returning again in 2011 with Raphael Gualazzi who sang ‘Madness Of Love’. Raphael placed second in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest after scoring 189 points.
Italy’s most recent entry in 2025 was “Volevo essere un duro” by Lucio Corsi. At the close of voting, Italy scored a total of 256 points in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final, placing 5th. Of these, 159 points came from the juries, whilst the remaining 97 points came from the televote.
Do you think the festival should remain Italy’s path to Eurovision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow That Eurovision Site on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Tumblr, and Bluesky for all the latest updates on Sanremo and Eurovision 2026!
News Source: RAI, Il Messaggero, Ansa.it
Photo Credit: RAI
Thomas James 
Rory Gannon