Carlo Conti has confirmed that the participants of Sanremo 2026 will be announced on Sunday, 30 November, during the 1:30 p.m. edition of TG1, as the number of competing artists officially rises to 30.
Conti confirms the date and quietly reveals the expanded cast
Speaking at Vanity Fair Stories during Milano Music Week, Conti explained that the announcement (initially planned for the previous week) was postponed out of respect for the passing of Ornella Vanoni.
He also clarified that the increase to 30 artists is now definitive. Until today, the Sanremo 2026 rulebook had confirmed 26 BIGs, but Conti revealed that late submissions pushed the final number up to 30.
A Festival dedicated to Pippo Baudo
Conti also shared that the opening of Sanremo 2026 will honour Pippo Baudo, marking the first Festival celebrated without the legendary presenter.
“I’ve already decided who the opening will be dedicated to. It will be a Festival entirely for Pippo Baudo. The Sanremo we know today was invented by him.”
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.
Who do you think will make the final 30 for Sanremo 2026? 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: Recensiamo Musica
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Euan T 
Rory Gannon