The song “Forever yes” with which Sal da Vinci succeeded in Sanremo 2026 is a pledge of marriage renewed forever.
Following Ditonellapiaga’s success in the evening of covers (with TonyPitony), the final of the Sanremo Festival 2026 had all thirty singers competing until Sal Da Vinci was crowned.
The final was contested in two halves. Following the performances of all of the great names, the votes (public televoting at 34%, press room/TV/web jury at 33%, and radio jury at 33%) were added to the votes from the first three evenings.
Finally, the overall classification was made up, with the first five spots published in no particular sequence. The Top 5 (in no particular order Fedez & Masini, Arisa, Ditonellapiaga, Sal Da Vinci, and Sayf) contended for the title of winner, which was once again decided by the three juries.
The result was added to the total result of the previous votes to determine the final ranking and winner.
Who is Sal da Vinci, winner of Sanremo 2026
Salvatore Michael Sorrentino was born in New York on April 7, 1969. At the time, his father, singer and actor Mario da Vinci (born Alfonso Sorrentino), was on tour in the United States of America, accompanied by his wife, Nina.
Although he was born in the United States, Sal da Vinci grew up in Naples, and his connection to the city has become so strong that it has become a trademark in terms of his artistic production: he is one of the most important interpreters of contemporary Neapolitan song.
Where does Sal da Vinci, singer of “Per sempre sì” at Sanremo 2026, live?
Sal da Vinci’s victory in Sanremo 2026 with the song “Forever yes” is a vow of eternal marriage. The artist has been married to Paola Pugliese since 1992, and they have two children: Francesco (born 1993) and Annachiara (born 1998).
Salvatore Michael Sorrentino currently resides in Naples, namely in the famous Chiaia sector, which is one of the most elite in the city. His abode is a top-floor flat in a contemporary building. The house’s distinguishing feature is its spectacular vista, which includes views of the Gulf of Naples and Capri.
According to ‘Idealista’, on the occasion of Sal da Vinci’s participation in Sanremo 2026, the buying price of a property in Naples’ Chiaia area might exceed 4,664 euros per m2.
For those seeking a different contractual solution for a potential move to Chiaia, it may be useful to know that houses for rent in this prestigious district of Naples begin at around 490 euros per month, but this figure can rise to 10,000 euros in the case of larger and more prestigious apartments.
The final ranking of Sanremo 2026
Sanremo 2026’s post-final ranking is as follows:
1. Sal Da Vinci – It’s Going to Be You and Me (Per sempre sì)
2. Sayf – I Like You (TU MI PIACI TANTO)
3. Ditonellapiaga – How annoying (Che fastidio!)
4. Arisa-Magical fairy tale
5. Fedez and Masini – Necessary Evil
6. Nayt – Before
7. Fulminacci – Stupid Luck
8. Ermal Meta – Star Star
9. Serena Brancale – Here with me
10. Thomas Paradise – The Romantics
11. LDA and AKA 7even – Clandestine Poems
12. Luchè – Labyrinth
13. Rag Dolls – Stay With Me
14. Levante – It’s You
15. J-Ax – Italia Starter Pack
16. Thirteen Peter – Man Who Falls
17. Samurai Jay – Obsession
18. Raf – Now and Forever
19. Malika Ayane – Nocturnal Animals
20. Enrico Nigiotti – Everytime I Can’t Fly
21. Marie Antoinette and Colombre – Happiness and Nothing Left
22. Michele Bravi – Sooner or later
23. Francesco Renga – The Best of Me
24. Patty Pravo – Opera
25. Chiello – I always think of you
26. Elettra Lamborghini – Voilà
27. Dargen D’Amico – AI AI
28. Leo Gassmann – Natural
29. Mara Sattei – The Things You Don’t Know About Me
30. Eddie Brock – Vultures
The top five in the final ranking were Sal Da Vinci, Sayf, Ditonellapiaga, Arisa, Fedez, and Masini. Sal Da Vinci dominated the week from start to finish. His Sanremo was nothing short of perfect: he connected with the general population, media, and insiders. He made everyone love him. Per sempre sì released the Ariston every night, including a cult moment of the impromptu dance with Mara Venier in the crowd during the last act.
Sayf was the real surprise of the Festival. The young Genoese singer, of Tunisian origins, was among the outsiders on the eve of the event and climbed the rankings night after night, dragging his mother with him – brought on stage in one of the most tender scenes of the whole week.
A second place that few expected. Ditonellapiaga finished in third place after a week as an absolute protagonist, embellished by the victory of the cover evening paired with Tony Pitony with The Lady is a Tramp. She also won the prize for the best musical composition, voted on by the orchestra masters. Arisa confirmed that she is one of the most powerful and beloved voices in Italian music, bringing home a fourth place and a week of standing ovations.
The Lucio Dalla press room award went instead to Serena Brancale, who, despite the ninth final place, won the hearts of the audience with Qui con me, sung in the final with the dress of her deceased mother. Fedez and Marco Masini with Male necessario closed the top 5 in fifth position, taking home the award for the best lyrics-perhaps the most suitable recognition for a song born from the meeting, on paper improbable, between a contemporary rapper and one of the most beloved songwriters of the 90s.
Ditonellapiaga won the evening’s cover ranking. This is a comprehensive ranking of the top 10 places:
- Ditonellapiaga with TonyPitony – The Lady is a Tramp
- Sayf with Alex Britti and Mario Biondi – Hit The Road Jack
- Arisa with the Teatro Regio di Parma Choir – What women don’t say
- Rag dolls with Cristina d’Avena – Cat’s eyes
- Tredici Pietro with Galeffi, Fudasca & Band – Life
- Sal Da Vinci with Michele Zarrillo – Five Days
- LDA & Aka 7even with Tullio De Piscopo – Andamento lento
- Nayt with Joan Thiele – The Song of Lost Love
- Dargen D’Amico with Pupo and Fabrizio Bosso – About us
- Luché with Gianluca Grignani – Falco a metà
Ditonellapiaga did swing with a surprise Tony Pitony, enhancing Lady is a Tramp (a song popularized by Frank Sinastra) with Italian-style inserts like Baciami piccina. Tony Pitony performed TonyPitony: irreverent to the core, he started a parenthesis on arancini and arancine “because we have to be inclusive in prime time” and finished with a persimmon on stage. Obviously, the score of FantaSanremo is also quite high, and he wrote the official theme song.
The music was not chosen at random: both teams, confronted with each other, had come up with the identical work, indicating a real artistic understanding between two people who have made nonconformism their flag.
A performance that convinced the public and juries: Ditonellapiaga and Tony Pitony won the evening of covers.
