The 2026 Sanremo Festival's first evening showcased performances from all 30 competitors, where the rankings were partly revealed, but not in order of placement. The event was hosted by Carlo Conti, alongside popular figures Can Yaman and Laura Pausini. The Press Room, TV, and Web Jury was the sole voting entity for this night, indicating a shift in audience involvement as public votes will be introduced in the following evenings.

The current rankings feature notable artists such as Arisa, Fulminacci, and Fedez & Masini among the top five, indicating a competitive lineup as the festival progresses. Future evenings will see the Radio Jury and televoting contributing to the final outcomes, each holding a 50% weight in the decision-making process. This format emphasizes both professional critiques and public opinion, blending different audience engagement styles.

In the coming second and third evenings, singers will be divided into two groups, performing in varied orders and competing for audience votes, with the top five performers being announced openly. This setup sets the stage for potential surprises and shifts in ranking as the festival moves forward, keeping audiences engaged and attentive to the unfolding events of this iconic music showcase.