Sal Da Vinci Wins Sanremo 2026 and Will Represent Italy at Eurovision
Sal Da Vinci has been crowned the winner of the 76th Sanremo Music Festival, securing his place to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with his song, “Per sempre sì.” The festival, hosted by Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, concluded on March 1, 2026, after five nights of competition.
A Triumphant Victory
The final round of voting, comprised of 33% press jury, 33% radio jury, and 34% public vote, confirmed Da Vinci’s win. He faced strong competition in the Superfinal, which included Sayf, Ditonellapiaga, Arisa, and Fedez & Masini [ESCToday].
Eurovision Bound
Following his victory, Da Vinci confirmed his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “Per sempre sì” [Eurovisionworld]. He indicated he may also consider creating a Spanish version of the song, but will perform “Per sempre sì” at the contest [Eurovisionworld].
Reflections on the Win
Da Vinci expressed a desire to share the award with Geolier, acknowledging his strong performance in the 2024 Sanremo Festival [Corriere Cesenate]. He reminisced about his early career, starting in theater as a child, and the sacrifices made to pursue his passion [Corriere Cesenate].
A Long Journey to Success
Da Vinci’s path to victory wasn’t without challenges. He reflected on moments of discouragement and failure, emphasizing the importance of family and his hometown of Naples in persevering [Corriere Cesenate]. He also recalled a previous attempt to enter Sanremo in 1992 under his birth name, Michael Sorrentino [Corriere Cesenate].
Sanremo as a Launchpad
Da Vinci described Sanremo as a “great laboratory” and likened himself to a “courageous priest,” offering guidance to other artists [Corriere Cesenate].
Sanremo 2026 Participants
The 76th Sanremo Music Festival featured 30 artists, including previous winners Arisa (2009, 2014), Ermal Meta (2018), Marco Masini (2004), and Francesco Renga (2005) [ESCToday]. Other contestants included Arisa, Chiello, Dargen D’Amico, Ditonellapiaga, Eddie Brock, Elettra Lamborghini, and Fedez e Masini [ESCToday].