ITALY: SANREMO 2026 BIG ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

Carlo Conti has announced today the Big artists taking part in the 76th Sanremo festival della canzone italiana or simply Sanremo 2026. As widely speculated in the past few weeks the cast may not be as "big" as usually and eyeing it as the Eurovision in mind it looks rather slim. But then again, let's hear the songs before judging more!

Among the artists we have previous winners Arisa (2014), Ermal Meta (2018), Marco Masini (2004) and Francesco Renga (2005) among Big. The previous Newcomers winners among them are Leo Gassman (2020) and previously listed Arisa (2009) and Marco Masini (1990). Eurovision veterans are Ermal Meta (2018), Raf (1987) and again Marco Masini as backing singer (1987).

For this blogger the list includes some names I have no idea of: Bambole di pezza, Eddie Brock, Colombre, Nayt and Samurai Jay among with other names I know the name of but have no idea of their music like Luchè, Sayf and Tredici Pietro. Thus I guess I can consider myself able to join the choir: Who are they?! They are not Big!

Anyways, here they are: Arisa, Bambole di pezza, Chiello, Dargen D'Amico, Ditonellapiega, Eddie Brock, Elettra Lamborghini, Enrico Nigiotti, Ermal Meta, Fedez with Marco Masini, Francesco Renga, Fulminacci, J-Ax, LDA with Aka 7even, Leo Gassman, Levante, Luchè, Malika Ayane, Mara Sattei, Maria Antonietta with Colombre, Michele Bravi, Nayt, Patty Pravo, Raf, Sal Da Vinci, Samurai Jay, Serena Brancale, Tommaso Paradiso, Tredici Pietro

But who has participated before and how many times (either Newcomers or Big)? Let's have a look.

10 Francesco Renga (incl once with his ex band Timoria, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2024),

Patty Pravo (1970, 1984, 1987, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019)

9 Marco Masini (1990, 1991, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2017 2020)

7 Arisa (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021)

5 Ermal Meta (incl once with his band Fame di Camilla, 2010, 2016,2017, 2018, 2021),

Malika Ayane (2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2021)

4 Raf (1988, 1989, 1991, 2015)

3 Enrico Nigiotti (2015, 2019, 2020)

2 Dargen D'Amico (2022, 2024), Fedez (2021, 2025) Leo Gassman (2020, 2022), Levante (2020, 2023), Michele Bravi (2017, 2022), Serena Brancale (2015, 2025)

1 Ditonellapiega (2022), Elettra Lamborghini (2020), Fulminacci (2021), J-Ax (2023), LDA (2023), Aka7even (2022), Mara Sattei (2023), Sal Da Vinci (2009)

0 Bambole di pezza, Chiello, Eddie Brock, Luchè, Maria Antonietta, Colombre, Nayt, Samurai Jay, Sayf, Tommaso Paradiso, Tredici Pietro

Below is also their ranking by previous wins and top-3 placements/best placement:

1 Arisa (Nuove proposte 2009, Big 2014, 2nd 2012)

1 Marco Masini (Nuove proposte 1990, Big 2004, 3rd in 1991)

1 Ermal Meta (2018, 3rd Big 2017, 2021, 3rd Nuove proposte 2016)

1 Francesco Renga (2005)

2 Fedez (2021)

3 Sal Da Vinci (2009)

2 Malika Ayane (Nuove proposte 2009, 3rd Big 2015)

1 Leo Gassman (Nuove proposte 2020)

4 Michele Bravi (2017)

5 Patty Pravo (1970)

9 Dargen D'Amico (2022)

10 Raf (1991)

10 Enrivo Nigiotti (2019)

12 Levante (2020)

13 Aka /even (2022)

15 LDA (2023)

16 Fulminacci (2021)

16 Ditonellapeiga (2022)

16 J'Ax (2023)

19 Mara sattei (2023)

21 Elettra Lamborghini (2020)

24 Serena Brancale (2025)

Curious fact is LDA is son of Gigi D'Alessio, Tredici Pietro is son of Gianni Morandi and Leo Gassman is son of actor Alessandro Gassman and grandson of actor Vittorio Gassman.

Comments

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The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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