Sanremo 2.0: 4 Bold Moves to Modernize Italy’s Greatest Stage

Is Sanremo stuck in the past? From cutting the lineup to 15 artists to moving the Grand Finale to a massive arena, here are 4 bold proposals to revolutionize the Festival.

Sanremo is more than just a song contest; it’s a national ritual. But even the most sacred traditions need a software update to stay relevant in a globalized, fast-paced streaming era. If we were holding the conductor’s baton, here are four radical changes we’d make to turn the Festival into a world-class powerhouse.

1. The Power of 15: Quality Over Quantity

Let’s be honest: a lineup of 30 artists isn’t a festival; it’s an endurance test. By the time the last singer hits the stage in the middle of the night, even the most hardcore fans are fighting sleep. We propose slashing the roster to 15 elite artists. Fewer contestants mean higher stakes, better production value for each act, and a show that respects the audience’s time. In the music industry, less is almost always more.

2. The “VIP Intro”: Artistic Carte Blanche

Forget the stiff, scripted introductions by the host. We want every artist to be presented by a VIP guest of their choice—be it a legendary actor, a fellow musician, or a director. The guest and the artist would have full artistic freedom to create a unique moment, a mini-performance, or a cinematic intro. It turns every entry into a personalized event, breaking the monotony of the “walk down the stairs.”

3. The “Legacy & Future” Double-Bill

One of the biggest risks for a Sanremo artist is that their new song might not “click” on the first listen. Our solution? Every performance features two songs. The artist starts with a massive hit from their own repertoire to hook the audience and remind everyone why they are stars, followed immediately by their new entry. This creates a bridge between the artist’s legacy and their new direction, keeping viewers glued to the screen.

4. The Arena Finale: Leaving the Ariston (Yes, We Said It!)

This is where the purists will start throwing stones. The Teatro Ariston is legendary, but it’s also a cramped, limited space. For the Grand Finale, Sanremo needs to think big—Eurovision big. Moving the final night to a massive outdoor arena or a modern stadium would allow for a level of production, light shows, and crowd energy that a small theater simply cannot handle. It’s time to stop treating Sanremo like a dusty living room and start treating it like the global stadium event it deserves to be.

Author’s Note: We know that suggesting a move away from the Ariston feels like sacrilege. But true tradition isn't about standing still; it's about evolving so that the next generation cares enough to keep the fire burning.