Last updated: October 21, 2026
The Sanremo Music Festival 2027 will take place from February 16 to 20 at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo. The 77th edition of Italy’s most important popular-music competition will feature 24 artists, five nights of performances and several changes to the traditional format.
Stefano De Martino will make his debut as both Sanremo host and artistic director. Under the official rules, the festival will introduce a separate Performance Night, an International Jury of Experts and a new system for selecting Italy’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Måneskin have also been confirmed as guests for a one-night reunion on the stage where their international rise began.
The competing artists and songs have not yet been announced. However, the selection process is advancing: Rai has selected 60 acts for the live Sanremo Giovani auditions, and one young performer will ultimately earn a place among the 24 Campioni competing at Sanremo 2027.
Sanremo 2027 at a Glance
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | February 16–20, 2027 |
| Location | Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Liguria |
| Edition | 77th Festival della Canzone Italiana |
| Host | Stefano De Martino |
| Artistic director | Stefano De Martino |
| Competing artists | 24 |
| Competition category | Campioni |
| Number of festival nights | Five |
| Covers Night | Thursday, February 18 |
| Performance Night | Friday, February 19 |
| Final | Saturday, February 20 |
| Confirmed guest | Måneskin, reunited for one night |
| Maximum original-song length | 3 minutes and 30 seconds |
| Maximum cover length | 4 minutes |
| Artist submission deadline | November 23, 2026 |
| Earliest possible main-cast announcement | November 29, 2026 |
| Sanremo Giovani final | December 11, 2026 |
When Is Sanremo 2027?
Sanremo 2027 will run for five consecutive evenings from Tuesday, February 16, through Saturday, February 20.
The competition will return to the Teatro Ariston, the relatively intimate theater in central Sanremo that has hosted the festival since 1977.
For international viewers unfamiliar with the event, Sanremo is not simply an Italian version of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is a much older institution that combines a song competition with television entertainment, orchestral performance, fashion, comedy, celebrity appearances and national conversation.
The broadcasts generally continue late into the night, and the results often dominate Italian radio, streaming platforms and newspaper coverage for weeks afterward.
Readers who want the historical background can continue with Italia Mia’s history of the Festival di Sanremo, which follows the event from its beginnings in 1951 through its modern role in Italian culture.
Stefano De Martino Begins His Sanremo Era
Sanremo 2027 represents an important change of leadership. Stefano De Martino succeeds Carlo Conti as the festival’s principal host and artistic director.
De Martino’s responsibilities extend beyond presenting the five television broadcasts. As artistic director, he is involved in selecting the competing performers, shaping the nightly format, inviting guests and balancing the musical competition with the demands of a major live television production.
Speaking in October about his approach, De Martino said that he wants to create a Sanremo that is “popular” rather than “populist.” He identified Pippo Baudo as an important model, arguing that a successful festival should reflect the period in which it is produced instead of merely repeating what has worked before.
De Martino has also emphasized Sanremo’s role as a shared Italian ritual: a song competition capable of bringing much of the country together for five evenings while also generating debate about music, television, society and contemporary Italy.
His comments suggest that Sanremo 2027 will remain accessible to a broad audience while attempting to introduce enough new ideas to establish his own identity as artistic director.
Twenty-Four Artists Will Compete
The main competition will include 24 artists in a single Campioni category.
Each performer will present a previously unreleased original song. The selected songs may not exceed three minutes and 30 seconds.
Twenty-three places will be assigned through the main artistic-selection process. The remaining place will go to the winner of Sanremo Giovani 2026, who will be admitted directly to the Campioni competition.
Proposals from established performers and their representatives must reach Rai by November 23. Under the official regulations, the main cast may be announced beginning November 29, although Rai has not yet confirmed the precise date or television program on which the announcement will be made.
Until that announcement, reported lists of possible contestants should be treated as speculation. Numerous prominent artists—including former Sanremo winners—have appeared in entertainment-media rumors, but none should be described as a confirmed competitor without a statement from Rai or the artistic director.
For an introduction to the wider musical landscape from which the cast will be drawn, see Italia Mia’s guide to Italian Music Now and its ranking of the most famous Italian singers and bands.
Sanremo Giovani: Sixty Artists Reach the Live Auditions
The route into Sanremo 2027 has already begun for emerging performers.
On October 19, Rai announced the 60 artists selected for the live Sanremo Giovani auditions at its Via Asiago studios in Rome. The group consists of 55 solo performers and five bands.
Among the solo artists are 24 women and 31 men. Southern Italy and the islands account for 23 of the selected acts, while central and northern Italy each contribute 18. One participant was born in Malta.
The Sanremo Giovani Music Commission is chaired by Stefano De Martino and includes singer Noemi, writer and presenter Fabio Volo, music journalist Carlo Pastore, conductor and arranger Pino Perris, radio and television presenter Ema Stokholma, and Rai executive Claudio Fasulo.
The commission will reduce the 60 Sanremo Giovani candidates to 15. They will then join 15 artists chosen through Area Sanremo, producing a combined field of 30 acts.
Further live selections in Sanremo will identify six finalists:
- Three from Sanremo Giovani
- Three from Area Sanremo
The six finalists will compete on Friday, December 11, in a live Rai 1 broadcast from the Teatro del Casinò di Sanremo.
Only one artist will win. That performer will advance directly into the Campioni category at Sanremo 2027, competing alongside the established artists rather than in a separate Newcomers section.
How the Five-Night Competition Will Work
Sanremo 2027 preserves the familiar five-night structure but changes the function of the third and fourth evenings.
The result is effectively three related competitions: the principal Sanremo contest, a separate Covers Night and a new Performance Night that determines Italy’s Eurovision representative.
First Night: Tuesday, February 16
The opening evening will begin the principal competition and introduce the original songs.
Votes from the first night will contribute to the cumulative ranking used during the final. Rai has not yet published the exact performance order or voting percentages.
Second Night: Wednesday, February 17
The second evening will continue the evaluation of the competing original songs.
Its results will also contribute to the accumulated ranking that helps determine which artists advance to the concluding stage on Saturday.
Covers Night: Thursday, February 18
The third evening will be dedicated to cover performances.
Each of the 24 competing artists may select a song from the Italian or international repertoire. Performers may be joined by Italian or international guests, subject to approval by the artistic direction and Rai.
Cover performances may last up to four minutes.
Covers Night will have its own voting process, ranking and winner. Its results will remain separate from the principal competition and will not contribute to the selection of the overall Sanremo 2027 winner.
This makes the evening a self-contained event: an artist can win Covers Night without gaining an advantage in the main competition.
Performance Night: Friday, February 19
The fourth evening introduces the most significant structural change.
Each artist will perform the original competing song through interpretive, musical, executive or scenic choices that differ from those used during the rest of the festival.
The concept allows performers to reconsider the arrangement, visual presentation and staging of their songs. A relatively restrained song during the opening nights could therefore become a more theatrical, choreographed or musically transformed performance on Friday.
The performances will be judged by the Giuria Popolare, or Popular Jury, and a new International Jury of Experts composed of figures from the international music and entertainment industries.
The identities of the international jurors have not yet been announced.
Performance Night will have a particularly important consequence: its winner will represent Rai and Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
Final Night: Saturday, February 20
The final evening will determine the overall winner of the Sanremo Music Festival.
The main classification will be built from votes cast during the first, second and fifth evenings. The highest-ranked artists will advance to a concluding phase.
During that final stage, the public vote will be combined with the “treasure” of points accumulated through the three earlier rounds of voting.
Rai has not yet confirmed the number of artists who will reach the final vote or the precise percentages assigned to each voting group.
Sanremo and Eurovision Could Have Different Winners
For many international viewers, the most surprising change is the separation of the Sanremo title from Italy’s Eurovision selection.
The winner of Saturday’s final will be crowned the winner of Sanremo 2027.
The winner of Friday’s Performance Night will earn the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
The same performer could win both competitions, but this is not guaranteed. De Martino has acknowledged that Sanremo and Performance Night could produce two different winners.
The distinction is intentional. The traditional Sanremo result evaluates the song over several evenings and through multiple voting groups. Performance Night focuses more specifically on the complete presentation created around the song—an element that is particularly important at Eurovision.
This arrangement also removes the uncertainty that sometimes followed previous Sanremo editions, when the festival winner was offered the opportunity to represent Italy but could decline.
How Voting Will Work
The principal Sanremo competition will use three voting groups:
- Giuria Popolare, or Popular Jury
- Giuria della Sala Stampa, TV e Web, representing accredited press, television and online media
- Giuria delle Radio, representing radio broadcasters
For Performance Night, the Giuria Popolare will be joined by the International Jury of Experts.
The final Sanremo ranking will be calculated from results obtained during the first, second and fifth evenings. The leading performers will then enter the final voting stage, where the latest public response will be combined with the points previously accumulated.
Rai is expected to publish additional details about voting percentages, procedures and the number of finalists closer to the festival.
Måneskin Will Reunite at Sanremo 2027
Måneskin have been confirmed as guests for one evening of Sanremo 2027.
The appearance is being described as a one-night reunion. It will bring Damiano David, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi and Ethan Torchio back to the stage associated with their international breakthrough.
Måneskin won Sanremo in 2021 with “Zitti e buoni” and went on to win that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Their success turned them into one of the most internationally recognizable Italian rock bands of their generation.
Their return will therefore complete a symbolic circle: from emerging Italian act to Sanremo winner, Eurovision champion and international touring band, followed by a reunion on the Ariston stage.
The group will appear as guests, not as competitors.
De Martino has also indicated that he is working on additional international guests, but no other names have been officially confirmed. Reports describing actors, singers or television personalities as definite participants should be treated as rumors until Rai announces them.
Måneskin are also included in Italia Mia’s overview of the most famous Italian singers and bands from the 1960s to today.
The Sanremo 2027 Artificial-Intelligence Rule
The official regulations directly address the use of artificial intelligence in music creation.
Songs entered in the competition must be expressions of human creativity. AI systems cannot be used when their application replaces or alters the creative contribution of the songwriters or performers.
De Martino has described the festival’s preferred alternative as “intelligenza artigianale”—artisanal intelligence—placing human authorship and artistic work at the center of the competition.
The wording is more precise than a complete prohibition on every piece of software containing an AI-assisted function. It focuses on creative substitution.
The rule could apply to such elements as:
- AI-generated lyrics
- AI-composed melodies
- Artificially generated singing voices
- Systems that substantially replace a performer
- AI alterations that obscure the identity of the real author or artist
Technical assistance used during recording, editing or production may require a more nuanced interpretation. Rai has not yet published a detailed list separating acceptable production tools from prohibited creative uses.
Enforcement may also be difficult. De Martino has acknowledged that identifying AI use at its source can be complicated, but he has said that artists have been warned and that the selection team will pay close attention to the issue.
How to Watch Sanremo 2027
Rai has confirmed that the festival will be broadcast live from the Teatro Ariston. Complete international viewing arrangements have not yet been published.
In recent editions, the main broadcasts have been shown on Rai 1 and streamed through RaiPlay, with additional coverage from Rai Radio 2, Rai Italia and Rai’s digital platforms. Viewers outside Italy should verify the 2027 availability and any geographical restrictions closer to the festival.
The official Festival di Sanremo website will carry announcements, regulations and festival news. Episodes, clips and streaming information are generally made available through the Festival di Sanremo page on RaiPlay.
Some links in this article are affiliate links. Italia Mia may earn a commission if you make a purchase or subscription, at no additional cost to you.
Travelers who want to protect their connection while using public Wi-Fi can learn more about NordVPN. A VPN does not guarantee access to geographically restricted broadcasts, and viewers should follow Rai’s terms and local broadcasting rules.
What Has Not Yet Been Announced
As of October 21, several important details remain unknown:
- The complete list of 24 competing artists
- The titles of the competing songs
- The Sanremo Giovani winner
- Co-hosts and nightly presenters
- Additional Italian and international guests
- Members of the International Jury of Experts
- Detailed voting percentages
- The number of artists reaching the final vote
- Complete broadcast and international streaming arrangements
- Ticket-sale dates and official prices
- The performance order for each evening
The main cast may be announced beginning November 29, while the final Campioni place will be filled by the Sanremo Giovani winner on December 11.
Why Sanremo 2027 Could Be a Defining Edition
Every Sanremo artistic director adjusts the rules, but the 2027 edition introduces changes that could significantly affect how viewers understand the competition.
The separation of the Sanremo title from Eurovision selection creates two different measurements of success. One rewards the song across the main festival; the other focuses on the performance most suited to an international television stage.
The independent Covers Night adds a third prize, while the International Jury gives music and entertainment professionals from outside Italy a formal role in evaluating one of the festival’s most consequential evenings.
The restrictions on artificial intelligence also place Sanremo at the center of a wider debate about authorship, technology and the meaning of live performance.
At the same time, De Martino’s admiration for Pippo Baudo suggests that he does not intend to abandon the qualities that made Sanremo a national institution. His challenge will be to modernize the format while preserving its sense of ritual, unpredictability and shared cultural memory.
For comparison with the previous edition, read Italia Mia’s report on the Sanremo 2026 winner and final-night highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sanremo 2027 take place?
The festival will run from Tuesday, February 16, through Saturday, February 20, 2027.
Where will Sanremo 2027 be held?
The competition will take place at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, on the Ligurian coast of northwestern Italy.
Who is hosting Sanremo 2027?
Stefano De Martino will serve as principal host and artistic director.
How many artists will compete?
The main Campioni competition will include 24 artists.
Have the Sanremo 2027 singers been announced?
No. The main cast may be announced beginning November 29, after the November 23 submission deadline.
Who are the 60 artists recently selected?
They are candidates for the Sanremo Giovani live auditions, not confirmed Sanremo 2027 competitors. The field will be progressively reduced until one winner earns a place among the 24 Campioni.
When is the Sanremo Giovani final?
The six finalists will compete on December 11, 2026, in a live Rai 1 broadcast from the Teatro del Casinò di Sanremo.
Are Måneskin competing at Sanremo 2027?
No. Måneskin have been confirmed as guests for a one-night reunion.
Will the Sanremo winner represent Italy at Eurovision?
Not necessarily. Under the 2027 rules, the winner of the separate Friday Performance Night will represent Italy at Eurovision.
Does Covers Night affect the main ranking?
No. Covers Night will have its own classification and winner, and its results will not count toward the main Sanremo title.
Is artificial intelligence completely banned?
The regulations prohibit AI when it replaces or alters the creative contribution of the songwriters or performers. Rai may issue further clarification concerning technical production tools.
External Sources
Official Festival di Sanremo website — Rai
Official Sanremo 2027 regulations and format — Rai
Official list of 60 Sanremo Giovani audition candidates — Rai
Måneskin reunion confirmed for Sanremo 2027 — RaiNews
Stefano De Martino discusses his vision for Sanremo — RaiNews
Festival di Sanremo program and videos — RaiPlay
