Nearly 9.6 million viewers, representing 58% of the television audience, tuned in to watch the opening night of the Sanremo Music Festival 2026 on Rai1, according to initial audience figures released Wednesday.
The viewership represents a decrease from the 12.63 million viewers and 65.3% share that the festival’s first night garnered in 2025, also under the artistic direction of Carlo Conti. Still, the 2026 opening night’s share is the fourth-highest recorded since 1997, when Mike Bongiorno hosted the event and achieved a 58.74% share.
The most recent three editions of the festival – 2023, 2024, and 2025 – all surpassed the 60% share mark for the opening night. Amadeus, who directed the festival in 2023 and 2024, saw shares of 62.5% and 65.1% respectively. Conti achieved a 65.3% share in 2025.
The 2026 festival’s lineup of competing artists was announced on November 30, 2025.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is scheduled to perform during the final night of the Sanremo 2026 festival, returning to the Ariston stage.
