RAI has confirmed at a press conference that Sal Da Vinci will represent Italy at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Following his victory in the 76th edition of the Festival di Sanremo, Sal Da Vinici has confirmed he will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. According to Sanremo’s rules, the winner has the right to decline representing Italy at Eurovision. If this had happened, RAI would reserve the right to select the country’s entry, choosing one of the other participants in the Festival.
The results of the Final Five of the Festival di Sanremo 2026 were:
- Fedez & Masini – “Male necessario” (Necessary evil) – 5th – 16.5%
- Sal Da Vinci – “Per sempre sì” (Forever yes) – 1st – 22.2%
- Sayf – “Tu mi piaci tanto” (I really like you) – 2nd – 21.9%
- Ditonellapiaga – “Che fastidio!” (How annoying!) – 3rd – 20.6%
- Arisa – “Magica favola” (Magical tale) – 4th – 18.9%
Thirty artists competed in the Campioni category of the Festival di Sanremo 2026. The festival overall lasted for five consecutive nights, during which artists performed their songs multiple times, under the direction of Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini.
As a Member of the Big Four, Italy is qualified directly for the Grand Final and will compete on May 17th in Vienna, Austria.
Source: Rai
Italy debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has participated a total of 42 times to date. Italy returned to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 having last participated in the contest in 1997. The country has withdrawn from the contest on a number of occasions in the past. Italy has won the contest three times, the first time being in 1964 and the latest being in 2021. Since their return in 2011, Italy has finished in the top 10 on twelve occasions.
