It might be only September but the Sanremo 2026 cast speculation is on already now that the deal with the town of Sanremo and Rai is settled finally for the next three years at least and the festival stays in Sanremo and bears the same name as usual. All Music Italia that is to Sanremo what Aftonbladet is to Melodifestivalen in means of spoiling the artists way before the official announcement - due in December by Carlo Conti - has released their first list of possible names taking part next February. Curiously there's only one band in the list.....
The Comebacks:
Angelina Mango - winner of 2024 who retired to rest and take care of her mental health over a year ago recently reappeared in Olly's concert on stage and could be coming back.
Alfa - after his debut in 2024 as well he's gained a lot since and scored The #1 summer hit of 2025
Blanco - winner of 2022 with Mahmood has been returning to charts in 2025 also as a co-author for three songs in Sanremo 2025 (Giorgia, Noemi and Irama)
The Oldies:
Fausto Leali - at 81 this would be his 14th Sanremo and first since 2009. He won in 1989 with Anna Oxa. Other six Top-5 finishes.
Patty Pravo - at 77 this would be her 11th Sanremo and first since 2019. Her best is 5th in her debut in 1970. This would be celebrating her 60th anniversary in business
The Ladies:
Sarah Toscano - back from 2025 to continue her way to success and promoting her debut album
Serena Brancale - back from 2025 to continue her success as well
Arisa - trying every year, would this be her turn again. Finally? This would be her 8th Sanremo after winning Newcomers in 2009 and Big in 2014. Add 2nd in 2012 and all her entries have finished in Top-10.
Anna Tatangelo - also waiting for her return to showcase her new style. This would be her 8th Sanremo after winning Newcomers in 2002. She's been 2nd and 3rd among the Big in 2006 and 2008.
Malika Ayane - also always welcome back if she wants to. This would be her 6th Sanremo. She came 2nd in Newcomers 2009 and then placed 3rd, 4th and 5th among Big in following years.
Elettra Lamborghini - more concentrating on hosting tv and Latin market but maybe. This would be her 2nd Sanremo as an artist (21st/2020). Last year she was one of the co-hosts.
California - aka Coma_Cose's singer going solo after being twice in Sanremo as a duo.
The Gentlemen:
Ermal Meta - Carlo Conti's abituée who's been missing from Sanremo awhile. He did three Newwcomers with two bands and solo in 2006, 2010 and 2016 (losing to Francesco Gabbani). He won the Big with Fabrizio Moro in 2018 and placed 3rd both in 2017 and 2021.
Michele Bravi - like Arisa several attempt to come back and maybe Conti's favorite. In Sanremo in competition only in 2017 placing 4th.
Enrico Nigiotti - missing from Sanremo since 2020
Leo Gassman - Newcomers winner 2020, among big in 2023. Is it time to return?
Sal Da Vinci - almost made it last year with son Francesco, and scored a huge hit since
Virginio - Newcomers 2006, then Amici and many songs written to likes of Laura Pausini, Raf and other big names and a career going in Latin America needs a boost at home as a singer.
Settembre - last year's Newcomers winner
Sangiovanni - after 2022 and 2024 he retired a la Angelina Mango to take care of himself but might be ready for a comeback
Tananai - already twice in Sanremo with great success commercially while finishing last and Top-5 could try to make it third time lucky
Surprises
(aka names that aren't Big but are included anyways, like Lucio Corsi and Bigmama last year:
Amara - already Newcomers 2015, then guest in 2017 and 2025, and author for Fiorella Mannoia's runner up song
LA NIÑA - guest in 2024
STE - of Spotify Radar 2024 fame
Eugenio in Via di Gioia - almost made it already last year, could be included this year with that same song (Wouldn't be a first for a song to make it another year. Two at least have even won it later including Grande amore by Il Volo and Un giorno mi dirai by Stadio)
Cioffi - radio host turned artist
Possible debuts:
Matteo Bocelli - Andrea's son, in list already for years
Benji & Fede - idem. Boyband in success between 2010-2020, made comeback in 2024.
Coez - 8 albums so far, sold 37 x platinum singles + 3 gold.
Luchè - rapper with 6 albums so far
Tommy Cash - he's been really working his Italian career since Eurovision and apparently dreams of Sanremo as well
Tommaso Paradiso - in pre-lists and speculations every year. Two solo albums after five with Thegiornalisti and many songs written for other artists.
Duets:
Tiziano Ferro / Madame - Ferro's name comes up most every year but so far he has declined the invite. Giorgia's post-Sanremo success despite finishing out of Top-5 might encourage him to take part after all. There's talk about this duet since 2024 yet unreleased.
LDA / AKA 7EVEN - Napoletan r'n'b rappers and friends might unite for Sanremo experience
EMMA NOLDE / MOTTA - Up and coming author and producer with her long time collaborator Motta who did Sanremo once in 2019.
FEDEZ / MARCO MASINI - after last year's cover night duet they might have something new in store
Elsewhere by other sources also the following names have been speculated:
Al Bano, Alex Wyse, Alexia, Annalisa, Antonia, Baby Gang, Baby K, Bigmama, Boro, Capo Plaza, Chiara Galiazzo, Christiano De Andrè, Christina D'Avena, DiMartino, Emis Killa, Ghali, Giusy Ferreri, Irene Grandi, Mietta, Neffa, Ricchi e Poveri, Syria, Trigno and Tropico
At this point I'd say 15-20 names out of 30 are listed above. Let's see in few months how many of them were true :-) I try to update every now and then how this develops as new names appear and other names become definitely nos.
UPDATE 16.9.: Other names emerge as some sites display rather wild list of participants. Namely winners of Amadeus era: Mahmood, Blanco, Marco Mengoni, Diodato and Måneskin. Add Emma and Emis Killa who withdraw in 2025, Fuckyourclique trio, Chiello and TrigNo. Now that would be something! On the other hand Matteo Boselli has apparently stated he's not going to apply.
UPDATE 22.9.: More names are thrown into the mix. First of all oldies Bobby Solo (80), would be his 13th Sanremo and first since 2003. Two wins and one 2nd place in the 1960's plus one Eurovision. Viola Valentino (76), twice in competition in the early 1980's. Zero Assoluto, Anna Pepe, Levante, Ghali and Giorgia (in duet with Blanco?) are the other names rumored along with Francesca Michielin.
UPDATE 25.9.: Well, this is my own idea. As there's a clear lack of bands in the line up speculated so far what if Conti invited Matia Bazar? They have apparently an album ready for a long time already to be released. The band goes on even if there's none left from the original (and Eurovision) line up. Antonella Ruggiero left 1989 and was replaced by Laura Valente (Angelina Mango's mom) first, then Silvia Mezzanotte, then Roberta Faccani before Silvia returned and was then replaced by Silvia Fragonieri. They have won Sanremo twice (1978, 2002) and participated a total of 12 times, last in 2012. I think they would fill in nicely the Oldies and Groups slots and bring in some nostalgia and curiosity. Talking about that they have been a lot in press lately for apparent arguments and critisism and bad blood between the old member and Antonella.... #drama.
UPDATE 21.10.: Not much is happening in the Sanremo rumors, the same names mentioned come and go and the only ones I could add now are Eurovision veteran Enrigo Ruggeri, Rettore, Zarrillo and Aiello speculated in some lists.....
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