Sanremo 2026 Kicks Off Tonight: A Guide to the First Evening
The 76th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival begins tonight, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with the performance of all 30 competing artists. The evening, broadcast on Rai 1, is scheduled to start at 8:40 PM and conclude around 1:25 AM.
Who’s Hosting?
Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini will lead the evening, joined by actor Can Yaman, known for his role in the Rai remake of Sandokan. Actor Kabir Bedi, the original interpreter of Sandokan, may similarly craft an appearance, hinted at through a recent Instagram post.
Musical Guest: Tiziano Ferro
Tiziano Ferro will be the super guest for the first night, celebrating 25 years since the release of his debut song, “Xdono.” The performance will include a retrospective of his greatest hits and a live debut of his new single, “I’m great.”
The Competing Artists
Here’s the lineup of singers performing tonight, listed in alphabetical order (the exact performance order is yet to be announced):
- [List of artists will be added when the official lineup is released]
Voting System for the First Night
Tonight’s performances will be evaluated solely by the press, television, and web jury. A ranking will be established, and the top 5 songs will be revealed to the public at the end of the evening, without specifying their order.
Beyond the Ariston Stage
Throughout the festival, live connections will be featured from the Costa Toscana cruise ship, with Max Pezzali (accompanied by Olly, the winner of the 2025 Festival), and from the Suzuki Stage in Piazza Colombo, hosted by Daniele Battaglia.
What Follows the Main Event?
Following the main broadcast, “DopoFestival” will air from the Sanremo Casino Theatre, hosted by Nicola Savino. He will be joined by Aurora Leone of The Jackal, comedian Federico Basso, and maestro Enrico Cremonesi, along with journalists from various media outlets.
This article is being updated as more information becomes available.