Sanremo, Italy – The first provisional ranking of the 2026 Sanremo Music Festival has been released, following a vote solely by the press, television and web juries. The top five artists, listed in no particular order, are Arisa, Fulminacci, Serena Brancale, Ditonellapiaga, and Fedez & Masini, according to results announced Tuesday evening.
Arisa, participating in Sanremo for the eighth time, presented “Magica favola,” described as resembling a personal diary reflecting on childhood, first loves, and a desire for peace. Fulminacci, appearing for his second festival, offered “Stupida fortuna,” a song intended to address anxieties about the future. Serena Brancale’s performance of “Qui con me” was a melancholic ballad dedicated to her late mother, a departure from her 2025 entry. Ditonellapiaga’s “Che fastidio!” expressed frustration with societal hypocrisy, and conformity. Fedez and Masini, who initiated their collaboration at the Ariston, performed “Male necessario,” a song about finding opportunity within life’s challenges.
The festival opened with a performance by Olly, reprising his winning song “Balorda Nostalgia” from the 2025 festival. Laura Pausini accompanied Olly, and later, Can Yaman joined them on stage. Festival host Carlo Conti honored the memory of Peppe Vessicchio, a long-time musical director of the event. Conti also welcomed Gianna Pratesi, a 105-year-vintage woman who was among the first women to vote in Italy, recognizing her as representative of a generation that fought for Italian freedom.
Tiziano Ferro served as the evening’s super guest, performing a seven-minute medley of his greatest hits, including his latest single, “Sono un grande,” a celebration of self-acceptance. Yaman and Kabir Bedi, both known for portraying the character Sandokan, shared a moment on stage, bridging generations. Max Pezzali also performed, leading the audience in a lively singalong.
The voting system for the first evening relied exclusively on the jury comprised of the press, television representatives, and web users. The results of this initial vote will carry weight as the festival progresses, with the addition of the Radio Jury and public televoting beginning Wednesday, February 25th. Some social media users have already expressed criticism of the first night, describing it as “linear” and “flat.”
