Sanremo 2026 Stays in Sanremo: Rai Signs a Three-Year Deal, Carlo Conti Confirmed
After months of legal disputes, rumours of a “Plan B”, and whispers of moving Italy’s most iconic music festival elsewhere, the smoke has finally turned white: Sanremo stays in Sanremo.
Rai and the City of Sanremo have signed a three-year agreement to keep the Festival at the historic Teatro Ariston, with an option to extend for two more years. Mark your calendars: the Festival di Sanremo 2026 will run from 24 to 28 February 2026 — slightly later than usual to avoid clashing with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the Paralympics.
The Deal: Three Years + Two in Option
Under the agreement, Rai will secure the rights to organise the Festival until 2028, potentially extending until 2030 if the optional two years are activated.
Key financial highlights:
- €6.5 million minimum fee per edition
- 1% of advertising revenues go directly to the City of Sanremo
- A “ratings safeguard clause”: if TV ratings drop more than 15% below the five-year average, Rai risks losing the rights after the first edition.
Carlo Conti Takes the Reins
Confirmed: Carlo Conti will serve as both artistic director and presenter of the Festival, leading Italy’s biggest musical event for the second time since taking over from Amadeus.
The Festival di Sanremo 2026 will run from Tuesday, 24 February to Saturday, 28 February, with five nights of live performances, international guests, and the unpredictable drama that only Sanremo can deliver.
Sanremo Means Business: €245 Million in 2025
Behind the sequins and songs lies a financial powerhouse. The Festival di Sanremo 2025 generated a record €245 million turnover, an increase of 20% compared to 2024.
According to industry estimates:
- Rai earned an approximate net profit of €20 million from the 2025 edition
- The festival contributed an estimated €90 million of added value to the local economy
- Around 1,500 jobs were linked to the event
- For context: the Italian Grand Prix in Monza generated €192 million — Sanremo wins this race by miles.
Legal Clouds Still Linger
While Rai and Sanremo City Hall are celebrating, not everyone is raising a glass of prosecco. Just Entertainment, the company that challenged the tender process, has filed an appeal. The final ruling from the TAR Liguria court is expected on 17 October 2025.
Until then, the agreement stands — but the legal twist could still shake things up.
Sanremo 2026: The Road Ahead
With the deal sealed, the dates set, and Carlo Conti at the helm, Sanremo 2026 promises to be a landmark edition.
The Festival di Sanremo isn’t just a TV show; it’s a national ritual, a global showcase, and — with almost €250 million in economic impact — one of the most lucrative cultural events in Europe.
For now, one thing is certain: Sanremo stays Sanremo… and the Ariston remains Italy’s beating heart of music.
Source: Ansa
