With only a few days to go until Sanremo 2026 kicks off, RAI has now revealed more details about this year’s stage design.
Riccardo Bocchini returns
Riccardo Bocchini returns as the architect for this year’s stage, introducing an ambitious visual concept that reimagines the Teatro Ariston Sanremo as a dynamic and ever-shifting space. The celebrated designer who has collaborated with the festival in previous editions revealed that the stage was built around the theme of spatial expansion and creative freedom.
Bocchini’s design aims to embrace irregular lines as a means of representing contemporary music and how it is unpredictable, fluid and never static. Moreover, the stage will expand into the audience, rising toward the gallery and orchestra sections to create a sense of connection between the performer and viewers.
Furthermore, the overall concept is a place where technology, architecture and artistic expression merge. A key feature will be a motorised proscenium composed of three large structural bands that wrap around the theatre and will move throughout the show. This feature will reshape the stage and alter the audience’s perspective, making sure that not one performance is like the other. A motorised LED curtain will also be featured, revealing a mobile staircase designed for dramatic entrances and transitions.
Sanremo 2026 key details
Unlike previous years, Sanremo 2026 will take place from 24 to 28 February.
- 24th of February : All 30 acts will perform their entries for the first time
- 25th of February : 15 acts return to perform their entries and the Nuevo Proposte battle begins
- 26th of February : The remaining 15 acts perform their entries and Nuevo Proposte battle finishes
- 27th of February : All 30 acts perform a cover of an Italian or International song with a musical guest.
- 28th of February : Italy chooses their Eurovision 2026 representative.
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.
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News source : RAI
Photo credits : RAI
Giwrgos Oiko