Sanremo 2027: Stefano De Martino to host. Carlo Conti passes the baton live.
For the first time in the history of Festival of Sanremo, the name of the host of the next edition is announced live on the Ariston stage. During the final of Sanremo 2026, Carlo Conti makes the handover official Stephen DeMartino, which will lead the Festival in 2027A change of direction in Rai's communications: no post-festival behind-the-scenes coverage or negotiations leaked out in the following months, but a public investiture, included in the evening's lineup.
An announcement never seen before at the Ariston
Traditionally, the topic of "what happens next" was raised after the Festival concluded, fueling weeks of rumors and debate. This time, the strategy was different. Shortly after 23 p.m., as scheduled, Carlo Conti descended into the audience for a brief exchange with Stefano De Martino, the current host of Affari Tuoi. The gesture took on a symbolic meaning: not just an announcement, but a true passing of the baton.
The decision to officially announce everything live reinforces the idea of continuity and stability. The Festival is presented as a forward-looking project, with a framework defined well in advance.
Clues of the week
It had been clear for days that the appointment had been in the air. Director of Prime Time Entertainment, William Di Liberatore, had made it clear that there would be no talk of 2027 before the finale. Carlo Conti, for his part, had repeatedly hinted at his desire to hand over the helm to a "younger" colleague or someone capable of injecting new energy into the format.
In the hours leading up to the announcement, Conti had spoken of a Festival "in excellent health," ready to be handed over to whoever comes after. Then the misleading quip: "Maybe I'll stay." A way to stoke suspense without denying the rumors.
De Martino's role in the Rai project
The Sanremo event was already included in Stefano De Martino's contract with Rai. Rumors had been circulating for weeks about a final agreement for 2027. The live announcement therefore represents the public formalization of a decision that had already been made.
RAI chose to turn the nomination into a television highlight. Not a press release, not a sidebar, but a segment included in the most-watched evening of the year. It was a deliberate editorial move: to consolidate De Martino's image as the central face of prime-time entertainment.
What's changing for the 2027 Festival
The early investiture offers a strategic advantage. De Martino will be able to work more in advance on the 2027 edition, from casting to editorial direction. At the same time, the audience already has a clear reference for the Festival's future.
Conti's gesture sets a precedent: for the first time, the outgoing artistic director symbolically hands over the Ariston to his successor in front of the cameras. A transition that closes one cycle and opens another, without any gray areas or prolonged waits.