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A full-circle moment for one of Italy’s most beloved artists

Festival di Sanremo 2026 already feels special, and now it has an extra reason to shine. Italian broadcaster RAI has officially confirmed that Laura Pausini will co-host all five nights of the festival, alongside artistic director and presenter Carlo Conti.

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“Sanremo Is Where It All Began”

Laura Pausini’s connection to Sanremo runs deep. She made her breakthrough in 1993, winning the Newcomers’ category with La Solitudine, a song that would launch an international career. Now, in 2026, she returns not as a contestant, but as a central figure guiding the festival through all five evenings.

In her first public comments, Pausini described the role as emotional, exciting, and slightly intimidating, a mix many artists can relate to when stepping outside their comfort zone. Still, she made it clear that this is a challenge she’s ready to embrace, especially with Carlo Conti by her side.

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A Host with Global Experience

While this will be Laura Pausini’s first time hosting Sanremo, she is far from new to live television on a major stage. International audiences will remember her as one of the hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, where she shared hosting duties with Mika and Alessandro Cattelan.

Beyond Eurovision, her career speaks for itself: Grammy and Latin Grammy wins, global chart success, and recognition from some of the world’s most important music institutions. Bringing that experience to Sanremo feels like a natural evolution rather than a risky experiment.

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The Artists Competing at Sanremo 2026

This year’s line-up brings together established names, returning favourites, and newer voices from the Italian music scene. Among the artists set to compete are Arisa, Malika Ayane, Ermal Meta, Fedez, Levante, Patty Pravo, Raf, Michele Bravi, Tommaso Paradiso, and many more, with a total of 30 songs competing for the title.

As always, the winner of the festival will be given the first opportunity to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, continuing the long-standing connection between Sanremo and Eurovision.

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How the Festival Will Unfold

Sanremo 2026 will follow the familiar five-night format:

• Night One focuses on first impressions, with all artists performing and votes coming from the press jury.
• Nights Two and Three split the artists across two evenings, combining radio jury votes and public televoting.
• Night Four is dedicated to cover performances, a fan-favourite tradition that celebrates Italian and international music history.
• Night Five brings everything together, as all results are combined to determine the final ranking and, ultimately, the winner.

It’s a format designed to reward consistency, connection with the audience, and live performance strength.

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When Will Sanremo 2026 Take Place?

Sanremo 2026 will run from 24 to 28 February, turning five winter nights into a full celebration of Italian music. For fans, this week is never just about the songs, it’s about the performances, the discussions, the surprises, and the feeling that, for a few days, everything revolves around the Ariston stage.

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A Festival Rich in History and Expectations

Sanremo is more than a music competition; it’s a national event that reflects Italy’s culture, tastes, and conversations year after year. With Laura Pausini stepping into a leading role, the 2026 edition feels like a bridge between tradition and modernity, honoring the past while embracing something new.

As February approaches, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the Ariston Theatre, and Laura Pausini will be right at the centre of it all.

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Italy remains one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest, with numerous finishes in the top 10 and even the top 5. Italy’s most recent participation was in last year’s edition, where, although Olly won the Sanremo 2025 with Balorda nostalgia, Lucio Corsi represented Italy on the international stage with Volevo essere un duro, finishing in fifth place and continuing the country’s strong record of high placements.