Two different winners at Sanremo 2027: The Italian Eurovision entry will now be chosen on the fourth night, alongside strict AI bans.
The Italian national broadcaster (RAI) has published the official regulations for the 77th edition of the Sanremo Festival, which will take place between February 16th and 20th, 2027, at the Teatro Ariston. The most dramatic innovation in the rulebook brings one of the biggest changes in the modern history of the competition: the winner of the Sanremo Festival will no longer automatically win the right to represent Italy at Eurovision. How exactly will the representative be chosen? The full details are below.
A New Sanremo’s Era
The Italian national broadcaster published the official regulations for Sanremo 2027, set to be held between February 16th and 20th under the artistic direction of Stefano De Martino. This year, 24 artists are expected to compete, but the most dramatic news concerns the identity of the Eurovision representative. Contrary to the tradition where the festival’s grand final winner travels to the European competition, the Italian entry for Eurovision 2027 will be selected on the fourth night of the festival. On this evening, the artists will be required to perform their original song in a different arrangement or stage staging, and the winner of the vote – which also includes an international jury – will secure the coveted ticket.
Strict and Clear Requirements
In addition to the change in the selection method, the rules impose strict regulations on the songs, which must not exceed 3:30 minutes in length. For the first time, there is an explicit clause completely banning the use of artificial intelligence in the writing, composing, or production of the songs, aiming to preserve human creativity. Furthermore, the overall voting system will consist of a weighted combination of televoting, press juries, and radio stations.
The selection of artists and songs is made at the sole discretion of the artistic director, and artists wishing to participate in the competition may submit their proposals until November 23rd, 2026. The artists and their record labels must bear all expenses and costs related to their participation, including musical arrangements, orchestra conductors, additional musicians, equipment, and accommodation. RAI may grant a symbolic financial contribution or participation if necessary, but without obligation.
Artists are forbidden from participating in programs, events, or appearing in public from January 2nd, 2027, until the end of the competition. The artist who wins the festival and the artist who wins the Eurovision ticket are barred from appearing on television programs of other networks (other than RAI) until February 25th, 2027, inclusive.
International Glamour and Guest Stars
As we previously reported, De Martino revealed in an exclusive interview with the Italian magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzoni (and in Italian media, including Quotidiano Nazionale and Cosmopolitan Italia) that Måneskin will be among the prominent guests at the Sanremo 2027 Festival.
According to Cosmopolitan Italia, Måneskin’s return is only part of a large-scale plan by De Martino to bring international glamour back to Sanremo. Alongside Måneskin, possibilities are being explored to bring in top-tier international artists. The list of hot names raised as speculation or production ambitions includes Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, and even the band Oasis, which reunited for an international tour in 2025.
Italy at Eurovision 2026
“Per sempre sì” (in English: “Forever Yes”) is the song that was performed by Sal Da Vinci, who represented Italy, and finished in 5th place with 281 points in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2026 on May 16th, in Vienna, Austria. The song was written and composed by Sal Da Vinci himself together with Alessandro La Cava, Eugenio Maimone, Federica Abbate, Federico Mercuri, Francesco Sorrentino, and Giordano Cremona. The song is performed entirely in Italian.
Eurovision 2027: This will be Italy’s 52nd 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.
