Naples wins Sanremo with Sal Da Vinci dedicating the award to his city.
The victory of Sal Da Vinci at the 2026 Sanremo Festival has a meaning that goes beyond first place in the charts. The singer won over the audience with Forever yes And, immediately after the announcement, he chose to share the moment with his city. "I dedicate this award to Naples," were his first words from the Ariston stage.
Not just a formal thank you, but a statement of identity. Victory came at the end of a final that was played down to the last vote.
A photo-finish victory: the official percentages
The final standings reveal a close battle. The numbers confirm how narrow the margin between first and second place was:
- Sal Da Vinci – 22,2%
- Sayf – 21,9%
- Fingernail plague – 20,6%
- Arisa – 18,9%
- Fedez & Marco Masini – 16,5%
A narrow margin between Sal Da Vinci and Sayf, just three-tenths of a percent. A result that highlights how the victory was built vote by vote, right up until the final moment.
«I dedicate this award to Naples»
After the official announcement, Sal Da Vinci thanked his family for their support during difficult times and dedicated his life to his hometown. A gesture consistent with an artistic journey that has always been tied to his roots.
Naples, in the narrative of the final evening, didn't remain a spectator. It became an active participant in the triumph. The city followed the match with evident participation, transforming the victory into a collective achievement.
A message from Mayor Gaetano Manfredi
A few hours after the proclamation, the mayor's comment arrived Gaetano ManfrediOn social media, he wrote that "Naples wins when talent meets heart," emphasizing how Sal Da Vinci represents the city's passion combined with technical preparation.
Manfredi also recalled the celebrations for the artist's fortieth anniversary in Piazza Plebiscito and announced his intention to welcome him to the City Hall for an official celebration. The message also included a reference to Stephen DeMartino, future host of the 2027 Festival, increasingly defining Naples as a city of music.
A victory that strengthens an identity
Sal Da Vinci's success thus takes on a double meaning: personal and collective. On the one hand, the artistic recognition of winning the 76th Sanremo Festival; on the other, the explicit dedication to Naples, which transforms the achievement into a symbol of belonging.
With 22,2% of the votes, Sal Da Vinci enters the Festival's roll of honor and brings the title back to an artist who has chosen to present