Sanremo 2026: Third Night Ratings Rise, Alicia Keys and Eros Ramazzotti Steal the Show

The third evening of the Sanremo Festival 2026 saw a surge in viewership, attracting 9.5 million spectators and achieving a share of 60.6%, an increase compared to the first two nights of the competition. The evening featured performances from 15 of the 30 competing artists, co-hosted by Carlo Conti, Laura Pausini, Ubaldo Pantani and Irina Shayk, and included highly anticipated performances by international stars Alicia Keys and Eros Ramazzotti.

Ratings and Viewership

The 60.6% share represents the highest figure for a third evening broadcast since 1990, when the festival lasted only four nights. In 1995, the first five-evening festival recorded a 60.52% share on its third night. Whereas the share increased compared to 2025, viewership was down by one million, with the third night of the 2025 festival attracting 10.7 million viewers with a 59.8% share.

Peak Moments and Guest Performances

The audience peaked at 14,199,000 viewers at 10:11 PM during Laura Pausini’s performance following a segment with Paolo Sarullo. Another peak occurred at 11:04 PM, reaching a 65.8% share as Carlo Conti introduced Alicia Keys alongside Eros Ramazzotti. The duet performance of “L’aurora” by Keys and Ramazzotti, as well as Keys’ solo rendition of “Empire State of Mind,” captivated audiences.

Co-Hosts and Key Moments

Ubaldo Pantani, known for his impersonations, entertained the audience with four different looks portraying various figures. Irina Shayk, the top model, was present throughout the evening. A notable moment included Laura Pausini performing “Heal the World” with the Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano, an anthem for peace.

Competition Update

The evening concluded with the announcement of the top five artists: Arisa, Sayf, Luché, Serena Brancale, and Sal Da Vinci. Earlier in the evening, Nicolò Filippucci was crowned the winner of the Nuove Proposte (New Proposals) category, with Angelica Bove receiving the Sala Stampa ‘Lucio Dalla’ and the Mia Martini Critics’ awards.

Looking Ahead

The Sanremo Festival will continue on Friday, February 27th, with all 30 contestants returning to the stage for the evening dedicated to cover songs.