The third Live Show of X Factor 2026 brings the competition to the X Factor Arena, where eleven remaining contestants face the "Jukebox Night." As reported by Sky TG24, the episode features a theme centered on the 1960s and 1970s, transforming the stage into a vintage music venue to showcase timeless classics.
Judges Lead Teams Through Elimination Rounds
Contestants are divided into four teams led by judges Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Irama, and Francesco Gabbani. The evening consists of two performance rounds. At the end of these rounds, the contestants with the fewest votes enter a final showdown. The judges then decide the outcome: if a candidate receives at least three votes, they are eliminated. If the judges’ votes result in a tie, the decision moves to a 200-second "Tilt" televote.
Musical Lineup for Jukebox Night
The performances for the evening span several decades of music history:
- Team Paola Iezzi: Camilla performs "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, Mad-Dog sings "Rebel" by David Bowie, and Manu covers "Mi ritorni in mente" by Lucio Battisti.
- Team Jake La Furia: Alex Fontana takes on "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues, while ALÌA performs "Mamma mia" by ABBA.
- Team Irama: Le Distanze interpret "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two" by Pink Floyd, Lenanie performs "Ma il cielo è sempre più blu" by Rino Gaetano, and Patrizia sings "Tu si’ ‘na cosa grande" by Domenico Modugno.
- Team Francesco Gabbani: Teo Bok performs Have You Ever Seen the Rain?, Giacomo Calò sings All By Myself, and Scraffs perform God Save the Queen.
Special Guest Performance by Fulminacci
Singer-songwriter Fulminacci appears as the evening’s special guest. The artist recently gained recognition at the 2026 Sanremo Music Festival, where he received the Mia Martini Critics’ Prize and the Assomusica Sanremo 2026 award for the best live performance by a breakthrough artist. His latest album, Calcinacci, reached Gold status following its April 2026 release. Following his domestic tour, Fulminacci is scheduled to perform in Madrid and Barcelona on November 13 and 14, 2026.
Show Airs Across Multiple Networks and Platforms
The show is produced by Fremantle and airs on Sky and streaming service NOW. Viewers can also access the content on demand and via Sky Go, with free-to-air broadcasts scheduled for TV8 on the following Tuesday and Cielo on the following Wednesday.
Related programming includes Ante Factor, hosted by Mariasole Pollio, which airs live from the backstage area at 9:00 PM before each Live Show. Additionally, X Factor Daily airs Monday through Friday at 8:30 PM, and Road to X Factor is broadcast every Wednesday at 9:15 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the contestants selected for elimination during the live shows?
The two contestants who receive the fewest votes during the two rounds compete in a final showdown. The four judges then vote to determine which performer stays, requiring a majority of three votes for elimination.
Where can viewers watch the episodes if they miss the live broadcast?
Episodes are available on demand and through Sky Go. Additionally, the show is broadcast in the clear on TV8 the following Tuesday and on Cielo the following Wednesday.
What is the significance of the "Tilt" mechanism?
The "Tilt" is a tie-breaking procedure triggered when the judges are evenly split during the final showdown. It initiates a 200-second window for the audience to vote via televote to decide the fate of the remaining artists.
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