Sanremo 2027: here are the first names of the possible contestants for De Martino's first Festival

There are still more than six months to go before the 2027 Sanremo Festival, set to take place from 16 to 20 February at the Teatro Ariston, but the work of new artistic director Stefano De Martino is already well underway. Between listening sessions for songs, defining the rules, and first contacts with artists, rumors are starting to circulate about the possible protagonists of his first edition, one set to mark a clear break from recent years.

De Martino's Changes

According to reports that have emerged in recent weeks, De Martino is said to be planning to cut the number of competing artists to 24, returning to a single category and doing away with the distinction between Big Artists and New Proposals. The winner of Sanremo Giovani, to be announced in December, would earn a spot in the Festival lineup outright.
Among the changes already announced by the host himself is a new "performance night", intended to select Italy's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. This would separate participation in the European event from victory at the Festival, while the artists would perform across all five nights.

The Name Game

On the lineup front, the guessing game has already begun. Among the most likely names are several leading figures of the Italian pop scene of recent years, from Mahmood to Elodie, along with Blanco, Emma, Achille Lauro, Tananai, Madame and Alfa, alongside names from the new generation such as Lucio Corsi, Settembre, Emma Nolde, Venerus and Samurai Jay. The urban and rap scene is also at the centre of the rumours. Among the names circulating most persistently are Tedua, Kid Yugi and Geolier, runner-up at the 2024 Festival, while the weekly magazine Chi has even floated the possibility of an appearance by Salmo. There's also plenty of attention on Anna, a true chart-topper in recent years, who has recently said she's looking with growing interest at the Eurovision Song Contest, fuelling speculation about a possible Sanremo debut.
The impression shared by many observers is that De Martino could be aiming for an edition with a lower average age, in keeping with a more dynamic vision of the Festival closer to the Eurovision model.

Among the more curious rumours is one involving Belen Rodriguez. According to some reports, the showgirl is said to be weighing up the possibility of submitting an original song for the selections, with the idea of competing as a singer for the first time. It's a suggestion bound to draw attention, given her personal history with De Martino, but for now it remains without any official confirmation.

The Guests: A Bruno Mars Dream

There are also rumours swirling around the guests who could add some sparkle to the show. Among the new artistic director's dream picks is Bruno Mars for the international side, while on the Italian front the names being mentioned are Vasco Rossi and Ultimo.
For now, these are just rumours and speculation. The official lineup is expected to be announced only in early December, but Stefano De Martino's first Sanremo already seems to be taking shape along clear lines: fewer contestants, a stronger generational shift, and a Festival increasingly geared towards an international dimension.

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