Italy’s upcoming participation in the Eurovision Song Contest marks its 50th anniversary – a significant milestone worth celebrating. Congratulations on this achievement! The concept of the ESC traces its roots back to the renowned Italian music festival, the “Sanremo Festival,” inaugurated in 1951 and still widely celebrated today. The Sanremo Festival consistently attracts top Italian artists and international stars, with its winners often selected to represent Italy in Eurovision. The festival’s music is renowned for producing timeless classics. The notion of an international contest akin to Sanremo came to fruition in 1956, and since then, Italy typically selects its Eurovision representative from the victors or runners-up of the festival.

Italy’s track record in the Eurovision Song Contest is indeed impressive, despite their relatively fewer wins. The country has secured victory three times: first in 1964 with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non Ho L’età,” then in 1990 with Toto Cutugno‘s “Insieme: 1992” and most recently in 2021 with Måneskin’s “Zitti E Buoni.” Since their return to the contest in 2011, Italy has consistently performed well, often producing entries that become worldwide hits or enduring classics. Notable examples include Riccardo Fogli’s “Per Lucia” in 1983 (11th place), Umberto Tozzi & Raf’s “Gente di Mare” in 1987 (3rd place), Jalisse’s “Fiumi di Parole” in 1997 (4th place), and the tenor trio Il Volo’s “Grande Amore” in 2015 (3rd place). Italy has also achieved numerous Top 10 rankings, with five 2nd place finishes and five 3rd place finishes, solidifying its status as one of the most successful countries in Eurovision history. Given the worldwide popularity of Italian music, Italian entries consistently showcase the best of the country’s musical heritage, resulting in a high likelihood of securing a Top 10 placing, currently estimated at 76%.

Italy has paused for twelve years (1998 – 2010) until the Italian broadcaster RAI has decided to return in 2011, this has been highly appreciated internationally, as Italy is known for high quality music. Italy has consistently delivered strong performances in the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. In Düsseldorf, Raphael Gualazzi‘s “Follia D’Amore” secured an impressive 2nd place. The following year, Nina Zilli’s “L’Amore E Femmina” achieved a respectable 9th rank. Marco Mengoni continued the trend with a commendable 7th place in Malmö, while Emma Marrone’s “La Mia Città” reached the 21st place in Copenhagen. However, Il Volo’s “Grande Amore” reignited Italian pride with a remarkable 3rd place in 2015.

In 2017, Francesco Gabbani’s “Occidentali’s Karma” was a crowd favorite and secured a strong 6th place. The following year, Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro‘s “Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente” achieved a brilliant 5th place in Lisbon. Mahmood continued Italy’s success in Tel Aviv 2019, earning 2nd place with “Soldi.” Finally, in 2021, Måneskin clinched the third victory for Italy in Eurovision history with their electrifying performance. Italy’s consistent excellence in the contest underscores its status as a powerhouse in Eurovision.

Last year in Liverpool, Marco Mengoni made another impressive attempt with “Due Vite” and achieved a remarkable 4th place, surpassing his own previous placement. Back in 2013, he reached the 7th place with “L’Essenziale.” Mengoni’s consistent success in the Eurovision Song Contest reflects his talent and the enduring appeal of his music.