As the mid-September deadline passes, the confirmations for Eurovision 2018 keep coming. Next to say to Lisbon is Italy, the last of the Big Five to confirm.

Broadcaster RAI broke the good news with a tweet announcing “Lisbon 2018, here we come!”

While the exact method of selecting the entry for Lisbon has not been confirmed, it is very likely that it will involve the 2018 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival.

Since 2015, the winner of Sanremo has had first refusal at being Italy’s act for Eurovision. But with Sanremo under new direction, it’s possible the selection method may change. Sanremo 2018 is due to take place on the week of 6th to 10th February 2018, with the new artistic director Claudio Baglioni.

Italy at Eurovision

Since Italy came back to Eurovision in 2011, they’ve established themselves as a power player, and are by far the most successful of the Big Five. They regularly place in the top ten and are often fan favourites.

In 2015, popera trio Il Volo placed third with their epic love song “Grande amore”, also winning the televote — and the hearts of many new fans. Il Volo’s success revitalised the appeal of Eurovision amongst Italian reviewers, prompting RAI to shift the Eurovision broadcast to its main channel, RAI 1.

In Stockholm last year, Sanremo runner-up Francesca Michelin performed “No Degree of Separation”, a bilingual version of her Sanremo song “Nessun grado di separazione”. It placed 16th.

And earlier this year in Kyiv, Francesco Gabbani (and his dancing ape) cheered audiences with “Occidentali’s Karma”. While the song had been a favourite to win Eurovision 2018, ultimately it only placed sixth.

Traditionally the participating acts for Sanremo are announced in mid-December, when all of Italy stops to discover who will be competing for the big prize – and indeed who also may be representing their country in Lisbon next May.

Who would you like to see represent Italy at Eurovision? Can Italy finally win in Lisbon? Share your thoughts below!

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Italy has one of the most historic and old-fashioned selection processes, with San Remo. But somehow, it WORKS! I don’t know how or why, but Italy is just awesome at music. End of. I’m happy Italy is returning. 🙂

b00nika
b00nika
6 years ago

YESSSSSSS!!! I’m already looking forward to knowing who we’re sending next year!

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago

Like Marco Masini? Actually that might be a good thing as San Remo winners get so much exposure, they peak too early. Surely that happened with Vovo and Gabbani.

EnjaESC
EnjaESC
6 years ago

YEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaahhhh!!!I’m so happy we’re going again next year! 🙂 <3
I hope we keep up with the good results and overall that we deliver something with high quaility 🙂 .Can't wait for may 2018! 🙂 <3

Rodrigo
Rodrigo
6 years ago

2011-Gualazzi, 2012-Nina Zilli, 2013-Mengoni, 2014-Emma, 2015-Il Volo, 2016-Francesca, 2017-Francesco….male-female…so the next year will be a woman.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Yes!! This is exciting news!
Looking forward to Sanremo festival in February!
Italy has to win! They send such good songs!

Ronda
Ronda
6 years ago

I have a feeling that they are going to win next year.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

YAEAHHH! Bem-vindo a Lisboa, Itália! Let 2018 the year of the Italian victory, long overdue! And please please bring us a song in Italian! Don’t quit!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Yaaasss!!

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

San Remo has over taken Melodifestivalen for me as the best National Selection.

Lianne
Lianne
6 years ago

I don’t think anyone could top Il Volo. Ciaoo, Italiaa

joff
joff
6 years ago

it is time to choose Annalisa.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  joff

No, choose Alessio… (with a good song)

joff
joff
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Alessio sings really badly

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  joff

You beat me to it. I think it’s time as well…

…If not Annalisa, how about Nek?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  joff

No one cares about Annalisa in Italy lol the duet with Benji & Fede was the nail in the coffin for her career

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Yaasss we’re ready to get more people pressedT!

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Every year Italy doesn’t ragequit Eurovision is a good year in my book. Especially considering they’ve been robbed of the win three times this decade. Or swindled perhaps is a better term, to use chess lingo. For in Eurovision, as in life, one sometimes doesn’t get what one deserves. It’s like back in school when the bad boy stole that girl from you. Everyone said you and her would be perfect for each other. And despite your tireless efforts to do be the bet you could be, the jerk stormed in and took home the trophy, while you stood there… Read more »

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Italia! One of my favourite countries in the ESC! Often enjoy their singers and performances. Gabanni and Il Volo are some of my favourites! And, they usually sing in their native tongue, which is fantastic! Forza Italia! 🙂

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

That’s great! Ciao, Italia! 😀

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Yassss!!! NOW it’s ON!!!

I’m fully ready for Italy to win next year and keep the Southern European/nice weather era going.