Exciting changes might be on the horizon for the Festival di Sanremo in 2027, as new artistic director Stefano De Martino and musical director Fabrizio Ferraguzzo reportedly plan a major overhaul. Among the proposed innovations is a dedicated evening within the festival to select Italy’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Preparations for the Festival di Sanremo 2027 are already underway, with Stefano De Martino confirmed as the new host and artistic director. Working alongside musical director Fabrizio Ferraguzzo, known for managing Måneskin, De Martino is said to be orchestrating a revolution for the upcoming edition.

A Dedicated Eurovision Night

According to initial reports from Italian newspaper la Repubblica, which cites anticipations from Dagospia, one of the most radical proposed changes involves the festival’s regulations. De Martino is reportedly planning to dedicate an entire evening of Sanremo 2027, potentially the fourth night traditionally known as Covers Night or on a another night, specifically to the selection of Italy’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. This would mark a significant shift from the current system, where the overall winner of Sanremo is usually offered the chance to represent Italy at Eurovision, with a separate decision needed if they decline.

This potential new format could add an extra layer of excitement and focus on Italy’s Eurovision participation, giving the international contest a more prominent platform within the beloved national festival. It suggests a more direct and transparent process for choosing the Eurovision act, aligning closely with the spirit of a national selection show.

Other Potential Changes

Beyond the Eurovision focus, there are also whispers of other changes, including a possible reduction in the number of competing artists from 30 to 24-26, allowing for more guests and entertainment. While details remain scarce and everything is still in its embryonic stages, the combination of a dedicated Eurovision night and a potentially robust roster of acclaimed artists could make Sanremo 2027 an unmissable event for fans both in Italy and across Europe.

As these are early speculations, fans will eagerly await official confirmations from RAI regarding the format and artistic direction of Sanremo 2027. If these reports prove true, Italy’s approach to Eurovision could be revitalised, promising an even more thrilling journey to the contest.

We should note that RAI is yet to officially unveil the format along with the rules and regulations for Sanremo 2027 and confirm its participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria.


Sanjay (Sergio) joined esctoday.com in December 2006 as an editor. He was appointed as the Head of Press of ESCToday.com in 2011. Hereafter in 2016 he was promoted as the Head of International Relations & Communications at ESCToday. Sergio has covered the Eurovision Song Contest live 23 times since 2000, having worked for several international magazines and media outlets.