Sanremo 2026: Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini to Co-Host Five Nights of Music and Competition

The 76th edition of the Sanremo Festival is set to unfold at the Ariston Theatre from February 24th to 28th, under the artistic direction of Carlo Conti, marking his fifth time leading the event (following his previous roles in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2025). This year, Conti will be joined by Laura Pausini as co-host for all five evenings of the festival. RaiNews confirmed the pairing in January 2026.

Competition and Schedule

Thirty established artists (“Bigs”) will compete with original songs, alongside four “Fresh Proposals,” two of whom qualified through Sanremo Giovani 2025 and two through Area Sanremo 2025. The festival schedule is as follows:

• February 24th: 30 Bigs with unreleased songs
• February 25th: First 15 Bigs with unreleased songs and the four New Proposals
• February 26th: Second 15 Bigs with unreleased songs and the two finalists of the New Proposals
• February 27th: Cover evening with duets
• February 28th: Final evening

Conti noted that the first evening concluded slightly after 1:30 AM, with only 14 minutes of added time compared to the planned schedule. Subsequent evenings generally adhered to the schedule, with the second evening ending at 1:12 AM, the third at 1:12 AM, and the fourth around 1:30 AM. The final evening is expected to conclude shortly after 2:10 AM.

Co-Hosts and Guests

Throughout the five evenings, a series of co-hosts will join Conti and Pausini, including Turkish actor Can Yaman (February 24th), singer-songwriter Achille Lauro, actress Pilar Fogliati, and comedian Lillo (February 25th), Russian top model Irina Shayk and Ubaldo Pantani (February 26th), and journalist Giorgia Cardinaletti (February 28th).

A stellar lineup of guests will also grace the stage, including Tiziano Ferro, Eros Ramazzotti, Alicia Keys, Bianca Balti, Andrea Bocelli, Max Pezzali (appearing on a ship moored off the coast for all five nights), Gaia, Bresh, The Kolors, Francesco Gabbani, and Pooh in Piazza Colombo.

Beyond the Main Stage

Complementing the main festival, several additional programs will offer deeper engagement:

• DopoFestival: Hosted by Nicola Savino with Aurora Leone, Federico Basso, and maestro Enrico Cremonesi, this program will air around 1:30 AM each night (February 24th-27th) from the Sanremo Casino Theatre, featuring commentary and playful competition between journalists and singers.
• Under Sanremo: Streaming exclusively from February 23rd to March 1st, this program, led by Anna Lou Castoldi, Elisa Maino, and Nicole Rossi, will provide behind-the-scenes access and insights into the festival, catering to a Gen Z audience with a social media-driven approach.

Sanremo 2026 promises a vibrant celebration of Italian music and culture, blending established stars with emerging talent and offering a multifaceted experience for viewers both at the Ariston Theatre and online.