Italy: Changes in Sanremo 2025 rules regarding Eurovision representative

A significant change in the regulations of the Sanremo Festival has been introduced this year, specifically concerning Italy’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since 2015, RAI has granted the winner of the Sanremo Festival the privilege or right to represent Italy at Eurovision. Until now, the regulations stated that if the winner declined the opportunity to represent the country, RAI had the authority to select any other artist from the festival based on its own criteria.

This essentially meant that if the Sanremo winner refused to participate in Eurovision, RAI could choose any contestant it desired, without necessarily following the final ranking order of the festival.

However, this has changed this year. According to the new regulations, RAI is now required to respect the final ranking. If the winner declines the chance to compete in Eurovision, RAI must select the highest-ranked artist who is willing to represent Italy.

According to Sanremo official rules, in case of #Sanremo 2025 winner declines the offer to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, RAI will select their representative following strictly the order of the final ranking

Link: https://t.co/G0JZmArDvp pic.twitter.com/kLa2D9X3W2

— Serarped (@serarped) February 14, 2025

This rule modification is particularly significant this year, as the two major favorites for victory on Saturday, Simone Cristicchi and Giorgia, are both considered unlikely to accept the opportunity to represent Italy in Basel this May.

Cristicchi has stated that after the festival, he will return to his theater commitments, while Giorgia, in her previous participation in Sanremo in 2023, mentioned in interviews that she believes Eurovision is more suitable for younger artists.

Of course, nothing is certain, as both may change their minds and accept the challenge of representing Italy at Eurovision if they win Sanremo 2025.

All Sanremo 2025 contestants must submit a signed declaration before the final on Saturday, February 15, confirming that they accept the possibility of representing Italy at Eurovision if they win. This allows RAI to immediately determine whether the Sanremo winner will also be the country’s Eurovision representative.

The only time the Sanremo winners refused to participate in Eurovision was in 2016, when the band Stadio declined the opportunity. As a result, RAI selected Francesca Michielin, who had finished second in the festival. Michielin ultimately placed 16th in Stockholm, one of Italy’s worst Eurovision results.

Given all this, the final ranking—especially the top five placements—carries even greater significance this year, as both the winner and the runner-up might decline Eurovision participation. Saturday night promises to be long and filled with suspense!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!