A revolution in Italian music: The Sanremo Festival is expected to take place outside its historic city for the first time in 2027, due to a financial dispute with the local municipality.
The Italian national broadcaster, Rai, is considering moving the Sanremo Festival to a new location starting in 2027 – for the first time in over 70 years. According to reports from Italy, options under consideration include Sorrento, Viareggio, Rimini, and other coastal regions. This move comes in the wake of a rift with the Sanremo municipality, which is demanding stricter financial terms following a court ruling in Italy.
The Rift Shaking Europe’s Oldest Festival
Relations between the Italian national broadcaster and the Sanremo municipality have reached an impasse – and this time, it could end in separation. Italian media reports indicate that the city is demanding a significant increase in payment for hosting the festival, as well as a share of the broadcaster’s advertising revenue. The national broadcaster, for its part, does not intend to give in and is sending a clear message: the festival can be held elsewhere, at a lower cost and with greater profit potential.
A Revolutionary Plan: A Festival Roaming the Coast
Behind the scenes, the Italian national broadcaster is developing an ambitious initiative to transform the Sanremo Festival into a traveling event along Italian coastal towns – combining music with the promotion of domestic tourism. This strategy aims to position the festival not only as a musical brand but also as a marketing platform for beautiful locations that are not necessarily cultural capitals.
Who’s in the Race? Sorrento, Viareggio, and the Adriatic Coast
Reports indicate that Sorrento is a leading candidate, partly due to its connection to the song “Caruso” by Lucio Dalla – one of the most iconic Italian songs of all time. Viareggio, known for its carnival, is also on the shortlist. Other destinations being considered along the Adriatic coast include Rimini, Senigallia, and even the Puglia region.
Economic, Political, and Cultural Implications
In 2022, Turin successfully hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, and it appears the Italian national broadcaster is drawing inspiration from that experience. Rotating between cities could generate new tourist interest, reduce costs, and free the broadcaster from institutional dependence on a single municipality. Behind the scenes, some point to pressure from the music industry to refresh the event and reach new audiences.
Personal Commentary: Fundamental Change or Tactical Threat?
Over the years, as someone who covered the behind-the-scenes for EuroMix, I have seen how even minor changes in the festival’s structure or production spark controversy. Some believe this is a tactical threat by the Italian national broadcaster to strengthen its negotiating position. Others are convinced that this time it is real – and moving the festival from Sanremo would become a cultural earthquake.
Italy at Eurovision 2025
“Volevo essere un duro” (translated as: “I Wanted to Be Tough”) is the song performed by singer Lucio Corsi, which came second at the 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival. The song was written by the singer himself along with Tommaso Ottomano. This was the singer’s first-ever appearance at the festival. The song is performed in Italian. The song finished fifth in the grand final with 256 points.
Italy returns to the Eurovision Grand Final Top 5 after last year achieving “only” seventh place.
Eurovision 2025: This was Italy’s 50th participation in Eurovision. Italy joined the contest in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Italy’s most recent victory was at Eurovision 2021 with the song “Zitti e buoni” performed by the band Måneskin.
