Sanremo 2026: what time does it end and what time does it start? Show times for each evening.
Il 2026 Festival of Sanremo It airs from Tuesday 24th February to Saturday 28th February in the early evening on Rai1, with five consecutive appointments from Ariston Theater. The management is led by Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini, while on the stage the 30 Big in the race, guests, and entertainment. One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the schedule: when does each evening start and, above all, how late do we have to stay awake to watch the results.
What time does Sanremo 2026 start?
All five evenings of the Festival begin at 20:40, immediately after the usual strip of PrimaFestivalThe starting time is identical for every episode, from the debut to the finale. This means that, regardless of the episode's structure, the lights on the Ariston stage always come on at the same time, in prime time. This consistent start time allows viewers to have a stable reference point throughout the week.
The evenings starting at 8.40pm are:
- Tuesday, February 24 – Prime Time
- Wednesday, February 25 – Second evening
- Thursday, February 26 – Third evening
- Friday, February 27 – Cover Night
- Saturday, February 28 – Final
While the start time remains unchanged, the overall length of each episode changes.
What time does Sanremo 2026 end?
The closing times of each evening vary depending on the number of competing artists, guests, and television time available for voting. Since this is a live show, the times indicated are estimates and may be subject to slight delays. Generally, Sanremo always concludes after 1:00 AM, with the finale airing even later than the other episodes. Here are the detailed times for each evening.
Prime Time – Tuesday, February 24
The opening night is traditionally one of the longest, because it includes the performance of all 30 Bigs in the raceWith such a high number of performances, in addition to the guest performances, the closing is estimated at around 01:44. This is therefore the episode that lasts the longest into the night, immediately after the finale. Those who intend to watch it in its entirety should expect it to last more than five hours in total.
Second and third evenings – February 25th and 26th
The two central evenings have a more streamlined structure than the first. They perform 15 artists at a time, split between Wednesday and Thursday, with a shorter duration. According to the Rai schedule, the conclusion is expected around 01:10The third evening also includes the announcement of the winner of the New Proposals, an element that adds a decisive moment but does not significantly affect the final time.
Fourth evening – Friday, February 27
The Friday episode is dedicated to the cover, with reinterpretations and duets that represent one of the most anticipated moments of the week. The lineup, while involving all 30 artists, follows a different format than the first evening. The closing is scheduled around 01:30, taking place halfway between the main events and the final. Again, the schedule may be subject to change depending on the live broadcast.
Final – Saturday, February 28
The final evening is the one that decrees the winner of Sanremo 2026 and, as per tradition, it is one of the longest. After the performances and final votes, the proclamation takes place late at night. The closing is estimated around 02:00, making the finale the longest episode, along with the opening night. The overall length also depends on the time needed to announce the rankings and the final result.
Opening times are always indicative
It is important to remember that Sanremo is broadcast in live televisionThis means a certain flexibility in closing times, which can vary by a few minutes depending on the progress of the evening, the timing of the performances or any moments outside the program. In short, the appointment is always at 20:40, while the conclusion oscillates between the 01pm and 10pm, depending on the day and the expected show load.