Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – While we wait to find out when the new host and artistic director Stefano De Martino will officially announce the Big names competing at the 2027 Sanremo Music Festival, the rush for previews and speculation is already in full swing on social media and specialized websites. In the rumors collected by Adnkronos, some names are recurring most insistently.
The list of 23 artists, which De Martino has repeatedly stated he is determined to keep within the 24-strong roster (plus the winner of Sanremo Giovani), will be dominated by the under-35 generation, with a few forays into the forties and a few older performers. But above all, according to the artistic director, the selection will be based on the songs.
Despite the summer's denials, Annalisa's possible return is being rumored, two years after Sanremo, where she finished third with "Sinceramente." Emma Marrone, who hasn't been at the festival since 2024 when she competed with "Apnea," is also a natural in the Big List, thanks in part to her long-standing friendship with De Martino.
Another name circulating in music circles is Irama, who is reportedly returning to the festival for the seventh time (the first in 2016 among the Newcomers with "Cosa resterà," the last in 2025 with "Lentamente"), after his debut as a judge on "X Factor." There's also talk of a possible return for Ghali, after his fourth-place finish in 2024 with "Casa mia."
Enigmatic reconstructions continue to surround Salmo's name, first considered close to a debut in the competition, then distant, then back in contention. And while some haven't given up hope of seeing Achille Lauro back in the competition (which many consider unlikely, as he's busy building the two-part show he'll star in on Rai1 in the new year), the Roman scene could still welcome Gazzelle, after their 2024 Ariston debut with "Tutto qui," and Ariete, also with only one previous appearance at the festival, in 2023 with "Mare di guai."
Another persistently rumored return is that of The Kolors, after a year-long absence from the festival (they last appeared in 2025 with "Tu con chi fai l'amore"). And while many are hoping that Geolier will forgive the festival and decide to return after their second-place finish in 2024 behind Angelina Mango (also considered a candidate for the 2027 festival), the Neapolitan band could be the only Campanian act at De Martino's festival, although Rocco Hunt, Clementino, Nu Genea, and La Niña have also been mentioned.
And while it's unlikely we'll see Blanco again at the next festival or Anna Pepe's debut at the Ariston, Tananai could be making her third appearance, following her legendary last-place finish in 2022 with "Sesso occasionale" and her comeback in 2023, when she finished fifth with "Tango." Rkomi, meanwhile, was already in the competition in 2022 with the song "Insuperabile" and in 2025 with "Il ritmo delle cose." Riding the wave of the summer success of "Bossa Nostra," Gaia is also a strong contender for a spot in the competition, following her experiences in 2021 with "Cuore amaro" and in 2025 with "Chiamo io chiami tu."
Arisa's name is also being circulated: it would be her ninth time competing. Meanwhile, Sarah Toscano, also at the center of rumors, has only appeared at Sanremo 2025 once, with "Amarcord." Other potential Ariston debuts include Tuscan singer-songwriter Emma Nolde (who was close to appearing last year but didn't make the final 30 shortlist chosen by Carlo Conti), Catania-born singer-songwriter Anna Castiglia, and singer-songwriter Centomilacarie from the Varese area.
And while rumors are suggesting a festival that won't make concessions to the Sanremo old guard, Sanremo 2027 could feature a "super" featuring refined singer-songwriters like Nada. Amidst the sea of rumors, nothing is certain yet. Suffice it to say that the nominations for the big names are due until November 23rd. And even what seems certain now might not be in a month's time, just as nothing rules out a crucial recording studio session from landing one or more artists currently considered untouchable at the Ariston.
And as always in the crucial selection weeks, this year too there's no shortage of artists who confess in interviews their desire to return to Sanremo: from Mario Biondi to Paola Turci, from Elettra Lamborghini to Cristina D'Avena, from Rita Pavone to Jessica Morlacchi. Including the ever-present Al Bano and Jalisse. But never like this year, with 23 places in the running, the selection process will be as tough and thrilling as it is right up until the very last day.
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