After narrowly missing out on victory at X Factor 2025, eroCaddeo is dreaming of the Ariston Theatre. The singer-songwriter from Sinnai is among the 60 finalists for Area Sanremo 2026: the auditions are scheduled for Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th at the Palafiori , before the Music Commission chaired by the Festival's artistic director, Stefano De Martino.
A new chapter for the 27-year-old, winner of the 2021 Radiolina Contest, following a particularly intense year . Participation in X Factor in 2025 brought him great visibility, leading him to the final with "Punto." Victory narrowly escaped him, finishing second behind Rob, but his musical journey continued well beyond the talent show.
On January 9, 2026, "scrivimi quando arriva (punto)" (write me when you arrive (full stop)" was released, his first album, published by Atlantic Records and Cvlto Music Group. This project built on the legacy of X Factor and consolidated his relationship with the public, followed by a club tour that sold out several times in Milan, Turin, Rome, and Bologna. In April, "far from home" was also released, the single that gave its name to the summer tour. Over twenty dates were held across Italy, with several stops on the island as well: from Cagliari to Cabras, passing through Stintino, San Giovanni Suergiu, Ussana, Budoni, Palau, and Villacidro, until the final concert on September 20 in Sarroch.
The Area Sanremo competition now begins. The 60 selected artists will perform before the music committee over the weekend. At the end of the auditions, on Sunday afternoon, 15 winners will be announced, who will advance to the next stage of the journey to the Festival.
How Sanremo Giovani works
The rules for Sanremo Giovani 2026, led by artistic director Stefano De Martino, include a process that brings together two channels: the competition organized by Rai and Area Sanremo. The Rai selection process has yielded 15 artists (including Rob himself), who will be joined by the 15 winners of Area Sanremo . In total, 30 young artists will compete for a spot in the next phase. The Music Committee will select six finalists, three from Sanremo Giovani and three from Area Sanremo.
The six artists will then have the opportunity to present their songs to television audiences in six prime-time shows on Rai 1. The final competition will be "Sarà Sanremo," scheduled for December 11th, broadcast live from the Sanremo Casino. There is only one spot up for grabs: the winner will directly advance to the Campioni category of the 2027 Festival, thus entering the main competition. For this occasion, they will be required to submit an unreleased song, different from the one submitted during the selection process.