Italy: CLARA, Elodie, Mahmood and Achille Lauro among the names linked to Festival Di Sanremo 2027

 

The first rumours surrounding Stefano De Martino’s debut as Artistic Director are already gaining momentum, with several major names reportedly being considered for the 2027 Festival.

With the announcement of the Sanremo 2027 line-up still months away, the first rumours surrounding the next edition of Italy’s most prestigious music festival are already beginning to circulate. While very little is officially decided at this stage, early summer speculation has historically proven surprisingly accurate — with several names already emerging in the Italian media months before the official announcement.

According to rumours first reported by Alberto Dandolo in the weekly magazine Oggi, Mahmood, Elodie, Emma Marrone and Blanco are among the artists reportedly being considered for Sanremo 2027. All Music Italia has also linked Venerus to the competition.

Other names reportedly on Stefano De Martino’s radar include Anna, Tedua, Kid Yugi, Geolier, Madame and Achille Lauro. The Festival is expected to feature approximately 24 competing Big artists, with the line-up set to be announced in December. Sanremo 2027 is scheduled to take place from 16 to 20 February on Rai 1.

Stefano De Martino reportedly targeting major names

One of the main strategies reportedly being considered by De Martino is to build a line-up around established artists capable of guaranteeing a prestigious Festival while maintaining the connection with the younger audiences attracted during Amadeus’ era.

Among the most talked-about names is Mahmood, who last competed in Sanremo in 2024, alongside Elodie, absent from the competition since 2025, Emma Marrone, whose last participation dates back to 2024, and Blanco.

Blanco won Sanremo alongside Mahmood in 2022 and was also one of the key figures of the 2025 edition as the co-writer of Giorgia’s 'La cura per me'.

Venerus is also reportedly among the artists De Martino would particularly like to have in the line-up. According to the rumours, the Artistic Director is also exploring the possibility of bringing Madame back to the Ariston stage, following her participations in 2021 and 2023.

Achille Lauro is another major name being linked to a potential return. Following a series of successful years, the singer could reportedly be looking to return to Sanremo with the ambition of finally claiming victory.

The rap scene: Tedua, Kid Yugi, Geolier and Anna

The rap scene could also play an important role in the 2027 line-up.

Tedua and Kid Yugi are reportedly among De Martino’s primary targets, while Geolier could potentially return to the competition after his highly discussed participation in 2024.

Fred De Palma, Samurai Jay and Frah Quintale are also reportedly among the names being considered.

However, the biggest target could be Anna.

The rapper from La Spezia, who recently released the album 'Million Dollar Babe', had previously distanced herself from the idea of competing at Sanremo. Her position may have changed, however.

Asked whether she would rather win Sanremo or the Eurovision Song Contest, Anna reportedly chose Eurovision without hesitation, saying that she felt she could do something extraordinary on that stage.

With Italy’s new selection format reportedly separating the Eurovision selection from the Sanremo competition, that answer could potentially leave the door open to a future participation. Whether De Martino can convince her to compete remains to be seen.

Possible returns and highly anticipated debuts

Tananai could be looking for the definitive confirmation of his status after the Festival that launched his career with “Sesso occasionale”, followed by the success of “Tango” the following year. The singer-songwriter is reportedly working on what could be the most important album of his career.

A return for Alessandra Amoroso is also being considered, following her Sanremo debut in 2024.

Among the younger artists linked to a possible participation is Sarah Toscano, whose musical direction is reportedly expanding towards urban influences. Settembre, winner of the Nuove Proposte category in 2025, could also be among the younger names in contention, while Nicolò Filippucci may be considered for a return following his victory in last year’s emerging artists competition.

Other artists reportedly in the conversation include Gaia, The Kolors, Clara, Nada and Paola Turci.

The latter two are particularly respected figures in the history of Italian singer-songwriter music, with Turci having recently joined BMG’s roster.

Several potential debuts are also attracting attention.

Cristina D’Avena has previously suggested that she could be ready to enter the world of “big” music competitions. Although best known as the iconic voice behind countless cartoon theme songs, D’Avena has a remarkably broad audience and could represent one of the most unexpected potential debuts of the 2027 edition.

Emma Nolde could also finally make it to the Ariston stage after narrowly missing out last year and subsequently winning a Targa Tenco.

Warner Records is reportedly also looking at Sanremo as a possible launchpad for California’s solo career following her departure from Coma_Cose.

Another highly anticipated potential debut is Tiziano Ferro.

The singer has performed as a special guest at Sanremo several times but has never competed. Although the possibility has been discussed repeatedly over the years, Ferro has now reportedly said that he feels ready to participate — provided he finds the right song.

Coez, an artist whose music has always moved between rap and Italian singer-songwriter traditions, is another name to keep an eye on.

Cleo reportedly considering a solo Sanremo entry

According to All Music Italia, Cleo, the singer of Bambole di Pezza, may have submitted or be considering submitting a song as a solo artist, temporarily stepping away from the band for the occasion.

The rumour has not been officially confirmed.

Could Sanremo 2027 reduce its nostalgia factor?

The expected reduction in the number of competing Big artists could also have an impact on the profile of the line-up.

With the competition reportedly set to feature around 24 artists, including a Nuove Proposte act promoted directly into the main competition, the traditional presence of several veteran artists with decades of musical history could potentially be reduced.

Names such as Rettore, Cugini di Campagna, Ricchi e Poveri, Patty Pravo and Iva Zanicchi have all featured in recent editions of the Festival, but De Martino could reportedly opt for a different balance in 2027.

TonyPitony will reportedly be involved — but not as a contestant

TonyPitony, whose name has been circulating extensively in recent days, is reportedly not expected to compete at Sanremo 2027.

However, according to the rumours, he will be involved in the Festival in some way.

No further details have been revealed.

Ultimo and Vasco Rossi among the dream guest names

Ultimo is reportedly among the names being considered for a guest appearance, alongside Vasco Rossi.

Following his participation in the 2023 edition, a return to the competition seems unlikely for Ultimo. Given the scale of his live career, the singer may have little reason to return to the competition itself.

24 Big artists and a dedicated Eurovision night: De Martino wants to take risks

Stefano De Martino’s Sanremo is expected to be significantly different from the editions that came before it.

The new Artistic Director reportedly wants to take risks and create a Festival with a distinct identity of its own. Reducing the number of competing Big artists would allow more space for each performance and potentially create a more competitive format ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.

The 2027 edition of the Festival is scheduled to take place from 16 to 20 February on Rai 1.

For now, however, all of the names remain rumours.

The official line-up is expected to be announced in December, meaning that the coming months could bring several more names, surprises and potential changes to the current speculation.

Until then, Sanremo 2027 remains a combination of rumours, ambitions and the first indications of what could become Stefano De Martino’s most personal Festival yet.

How many Big artists will compete at Sanremo 2027?

The competition is expected to feature approximately 24 artists, including one Nuove Proposte act promoted directly into the main competition. The youth category will reportedly no longer exist as a separate section.

Will Måneskin participate in Sanremo 2027?

A participation in the competition appears unlikely at this stage. The most concrete possibility is reportedly an appearance connected to the band’s long-discussed reunion.

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