News from Italy
Sanremo 2026: Sal Da Vinci Wins
The Neapolitan singer triumphs with “Per sempre sì.” Sal Da Vinci is the winner of the 2026 Sanremo Festival with the song “Per sempre sì.” A victory that marks the return of the great Italian melodic tradition to the top step of the podium.
At the 76th edition of the Festival di Sanremo, Sal Da Vinci claimed victory. With “Per sempre sì,” the Neapolitan artist won over the press room, radio juries, and the televote, taking home the coveted Golden Lion in a finale full of twists and turns hosted by Carlo Conti.
The final night on February 28, 2026, featured an unprecedented head-to-head battle. Sal Da Vinci triumphed with 22.2% of the vote, narrowly beating the very young Sayf, the breakout star of this year’s Festival, who stopped at 21.9%. A win that symbolizes the return of classic Italian melody to the highest step of the podium.
The final evening of February 28, 2026, saw a neck-and-neck contest unlike any other. Sal Da Vinci secured 22.2% of the votes, edging out festival revelation Sayf, who received 21.9%. This victory represents the comeback of great Italian melodic music to the top.
Final Ranking (Top 5)
Here is the final Top 5 after the last round of voting:
Sal Da Vinci – “Per sempre sì” (Winner)
Sayf – “Tu mi piaci tanto”
Ditonellapiaga – “Che fastidio!”
Arisa – “Magica favola”
Fedez & Marco Masini – “Male necessario”
Sal Da Vinci’s Triumph and Dedication to Naples
Visibly moved at the moment of the announcement, Sal Da Vinci dedicated his victory to his family and the city of Naples. The song “Per sempre sì” has already become a viral success on streaming platforms, climbing the Spotify and Apple Music charts immediately after the first night.
Other Awards: Ditonellapiaga and Arisa Shine
Despite not winning overall, Arisa emerges from Sanremo 2026 as one of the moral victors thanks to “Magica favola,” which dominated social media interactions (over 4.9 million engagements). Ditonellapiaga, in addition to finishing third overall, won Friday’s Cover Night alongside TonyPitony with their performance of “The Lady Is a Tramp.” Among the Newcomers (Nuove Proposte), Nicolò Filippucci stood out, winning Sanremo Giovani 2026 with the song “Laguna.”
Complete Ranking
1 Sal Da Vinci
2 Sayf – Tu mi piaci tanto
3 Ditonellapiaga – Che fastidio!
4 Arisa – Magica favola
5 Fedez & Marco Masini – Male necessario
6 Nayt – Prima che
7 Fulminacci – Stupida sfortuna
8 Ermal Meta – Stella Stellina
9 Serena Brancale – Qui con me
10 Tommaso Paradiso – I romantici
11 Lda & Aka7even – Poesie clandestine
12 Luché – Labirinto
13 Bambole di Pezza – Resta con me
14 Levante – Sei tu
15 J-Ax – Italia Starter Pack
16 Tredici Pietro – Uomo che cade
17 Samurai Jay – Ossessione
18 Raf – Ora e per sempre
19 Malika Ayane – Animali notturni
20 Enrico Nigiotti – Ogni volta che non so volare
21 Maria Antonietta & Colombre – La felicità e basta
22 Michele Bravi – Prima o poi
23 Francesco Renga – Il meglio di me
24 Patty Pravo – Opera
25 Chiello – Ti penso sempre
26 Elettra Lamborghini – Voilà
27 Dargen D’Amico – Ai Ai
28 Leo Gassmann – Naturale
29 Mara Sattei – Le cose che non sai di me
30 Eddie Brock – Avvoltoi
The Mia Martini Critics’ Award, assigned by the Roof press room of the Ariston Theatre, went to Fulminacci for “Stupida sfortuna.”
The Lucio Dalla Press Room Award went to Serena Brancale for “Qui con me.”
The Sergio Bardotti Award for Best Lyrics was given to “Male necessario” by Fedez & Marco Masini.
The Giancarlo Bigazzi Award for Best Musical Composition (voted by the orchestra) went to Ditonellapiaga for “Che fastidio!”
The TIM Award went to Serena Brancale (“Qui con me”), the most loved artist on the My TIM app and official TIM websites and social channels.
Lyrics of “Per sempre sì” (English Translation)
It all began right from the start
When I was just a stranger to you
Then I became a king with a heart in love
You, a queen, now dressed in white as a bride
We dreamed of children in a big house
And overcame every difficulty
Because love is not love for life
If it has not faced the steepest climb
And the music will begin, and here I will wait for you
I will give you the greatest day
It will be you and me forever
Bound for life, because
Without you it’s worth nothing
Life makes no sense
With my hand on my chest
I promise you before God
It will be you and me
From now on it will be forever “yes”
I know the future is a great unknown
But with you I won’t be afraid because
We will build everything, without raising a wall
We’ll argue and make love — and what’s wrong with that?
And the music will begin, for you I will sing
I will give you the greatest day
It will be you and me forever
Bound for life, because
Without you it’s worth nothing
Life makes no sense
With my hand on my chest
I promise you before God
It will be you and me
From now on it will be forever “yes”
Only “yes”
For these days and a thousand more
A simple “yes”
Eternity lives inside a word
It will be you and me forever
Bound for life, because
Without you it’s worth nothing
Life makes no sense
With my hand on my chest
I promise you before God
It will be you and me
And so it will be forever “yes”
