Rai’s Sanremo Bid Admitted – Because, Well, There Was No One Else

It’s official: Rai’s bid to organise the next three editions of the legendary Festival di Sanremo has been admitted. Not because it blew away the competition — but rather because there was no competition. Sometimes all it takes to win is showing up.

Following a ruling by the Italian Council of State mandating a public tender for the festival’s hosting rights, the Comune di Sanremo opened the only envelope on the table and found… Rai. To be fair, the national broadcaster met all the required paperwork and qualifications — always a good start.

“The documentation was in order, and therefore Rai’s participation was deemed admissible,” said Sanremo Mayor Alessandro Mager to Ansa, perhaps relieved there wasn’t a second bidder to complicate things.

With the bureaucratic warm-up out of the way, the city will now move into the evaluation phase — which, Mager assures, “should be swift.” That is, assuming Italy’s famously unhurried commissions manage to resist the lure of a long lunch break.

The next step? A direct negotiation. Yes, even though Rai is the only contender, formality insists they all sit down to talk it over. One hopes the espresso is strong and the small talk brief.

Interestingly, Mager admitted that relations with Rai had cooled in recent months — not due to drama, but due to a deliberate radio silence while the public procedure unfolded. Now, with the envelope opened and the cameras looming, it’s time for both parties to rekindle that old Sanremo spark.

As for the future of the festival? If the deal is inked swiftly, Rai and Conti — who has already been confirmed as artistic director — can roll up their sleeves and start shaping the next season of prime-time musical chaos, complete with glitter, gossip, and at least one shouty televote upset.

Because this is Sanremo. And Sanremo, as every Italian knows, is not just a festival. It’s the Festival.

Source: ANSA