Sanremo 2026: press jury reveals top 5 after first night
Sanremo 2026 kicks off with a random top 5 reveal
The first night of the Sanremo Music Festival 2026 has concluded, and amidst the spectacle and performances, a preliminary ranking has been unveiled. While a full leaderboard remains elusive, hosts Carlo Conti, Laura Pausini, and Can Yaman revealed the top five artists favored by the press jury, but in a deliberately randomized order. This adds an element of intrigue to the early stages of the competition, keeping fans guessing about the frontrunners.
Who voted and how?
The initial votes came exclusively from the Press Room Jury, comprising journalists, TV critics, and web reporters. These seasoned observers had the opportunity to hear the songs multiple times, starting weeks ago with the initial listening sessions, followed by further exposure during rehearsals. Their assessments provide an early gauge of public sentiment, though it's just one piece of the overall voting puzzle.
The top 5 – in random order
Let’s dive into the artists who currently hold the top five spots, according to the press jury. The randomized order means we won't know their precise ranking until later in the competition. Here's the list, alongside each artist's song title:
- Arisa - Magica Favola
- Fulminacci - Stupida Sfortuna
- Serena Brancale - Qui con me
- Ditonellapiaga - Che fastidio!
- Fedez & Masini - Male necessario
What’s next in sanremo 2026?
The competition continues with the second and third nights, featuring the remaining artists. On Thursday, February 26th, the second half of the competing acts will take the stage. The voting system will then shift, combining 50% public televote and 50% votes from the Radio Jury. Again, only the top five artists will be revealed each night, maintaining this element of surprise.
The grand finale and final voting
The festival culminates on Saturday, February 28th, with the grand finale. All juries – the Press Room Jury, Radio Jury, and the public via televote – will cast their votes. The televote will account for 34% of the final score, while both juries will contribute 33% each. The final ranking will be a composite of all votes cast throughout the competition, with only the top five artists revealed randomly. A final home vote will be conducted, allowing each viewer just one vote (unlike the three votes permitted in previous rounds).
Will the press jury's early picks hold up?
The early ranking from the Press Room Jury offers a glimpse into the current landscape of the competition, but it's far from definitive. The shifting voting dynamics and the power of the public televote mean that the eventual winner could be a completely different artist. The coming nights promise to be filled with surprises and twists, as the race to become the Sanremo champion intensifies.