Sal Da Vinci’s Victory at Sanremo 2026: A Surprise Win for Italy’s Song Contest
Florence, 2 March 2026 – Carlo Conti, host and artistic director of the Sanremo Music Festival 2026, expressed his surprise at Sal Da Vinci’s win during an interview with Radio Tuscany. Conti admitted he hadn’t anticipated Da Vinci’s song reaching the top, initially considering it a potential top-ten contender. The 76th edition of the festival concluded on February 28, 2026, at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, Italy.
Festival Success and Viewership
The Sanremo Music Festival 2026 achieved a remarkable 70% share and attracted 11 million viewers, according to Conti. “When you do these numbers you have to be happy, it means that everyone saw the Festival,” he stated, highlighting the event’s continued success in captivating both television and social media audiences.
Transition to New Host
Conti also touched upon his departure and the upcoming transition to Stefano De Martino as the new host of the Sanremo Festival. He jokingly described his return to normalcy after the intense week of the festival, stating, “I’m back to normal – he joked – I brought Matteo (his son, ndr) at school and are in the middle of Monday morning traffic…”
Sal Da Vinci’s Unexpected Triumph
Da Vinci secured his victory with the song “Per sempre sì,” earning him the opportunity to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Conti emphasized Da Vinci’s extensive experience and the song’s resonance with the public as key factors in his win. He noted that the victory wasn’t solely driven by televoting, attributing it to the votes from the press room and the radio jury.
Conti’s Personal Favorite
Despite Da Vinci’s win, Conti revealed his personal preference for the song “Male necessario” by Fedez and Marco Masini, describing it as “modern, powerful, very well sung with crazy lyrics.” He also highlighted Tommaso Paradiso, Raf, and Thunderbolts as artists whose performances he believed deserved recognition, as well as Ermal Meta and his “important piece.”
Social Media and Controversy
Addressing the inevitable controversies that accompany the Sanremo Festival, Conti acknowledged the impact of social media, stating that it “transforms reality a bit.” He emphasized the importance of public judgment, noting that viewers ultimately form their own opinions despite the online debates and potential misinformation.
Sanremo Music Festival 2026 Details
- Dates: February 24 – February 28, 2026
- Venue: Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Italy
- Broadcaster: Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI)
- Director: Maurizio Pagnussat
- Musical Director: Pinuccio Pirazzoli
- Artistic Director: Carlo Conti
- Presenters: Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, with guest presenters including Can Yaman, Achille Lauro, Lillo, Pilar Fogliati, Irina Shayk, Ubaldo Pantani, Bianca Balti, Alessandro Siani, Giorgia Cardinaletti, and Nino Frassica. Gianluca Gazzoli hosted the Newcomers’ section.
- Winner (Big Artists): Sal Da Vinci – “Per sempre sì”
- Winner (Newcomers): Nicolò Filippucci – “Laguna”