Tonight, all eyes are on the tiny nation of San Marino as it prepares to select its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The Grand Final of the San Marino Song Contest 2026 is set to take place at the Nuovo Teatro di Dogana, where twenty acts will battle it out for the honor of representing the country in Vienna this May. For a country with a population smaller than some European neighborhoods, San Marino has become a surprising focal point for Eurovision fans—and this year’s selection process is shaping up to be one of its most dramatic yet.
The journey to tonight’s final has been anything but ordinary. According to ESCXTRA, the second Semi-Final took place just last night, on March 5, 2026, at the Teatro Nuovo in Dogana. Twenty hopefuls performed, but only five could advance. After a tense jury decision, the following acts secured their places in the Grand Final: lUNA with “Freedom Calling,” KLEM with “OK RESPIRA,” Luka Basi with “CHICOLO,” Magdalena Tul with “I’ll Be Around,” and Maya Azucena with “My Sin.” These five joined the first batch of qualifiers announced on March 4: Anna Smith (“Bruised”), MATIAS FERREIRA (“PAURA”), MYKY (“Outta Tune”), ORPHY (“Rise Again”), and Pellegrina Pibigas (“Il giorno che”).
But that’s not all. The competition’s final lineup is rounded out by ten pre-qualified Big Artists, handpicked by RTV San Marino. This group includes some familiar faces from the Eurovision and national final circuits: Andreas Habibi ft. AURA (“All We Need Is Love”), Dolcenera (“My Love”), Edward Maya ft. William Imola (“Ball”), Inis Neziri (“Aurora”), Kelly Joyce (“Oh Là Là”), L’Orchestraccia (“Cara Madre Mia”), Molella ft. Maxè (“Fever”), Paolo Belli (“Bellissima”), Rosa Chemical (“Mammamì”), and Senhit ft. Boy George (“Superstar”). For Eurovision aficionados, the inclusion of Senhit—who has already represented San Marino three times—and Boy George, the Culture Club legend, is a major talking point. As ESCXTRA points out, Molella is also in the mix, best known for producing the Eurodance classic “Freed From Desire.”
The stakes are high: whoever wins tonight will carry the Sammarinese flag at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. The decision rests in the hands of a five-member jury, as confirmed by That Eurovision Site. The panel includes Federica Gentile (jury chair, presenter, and music critic), Roberto Sergio (Director General of San Marino RTV), Mario Andrea Ettorre (Marketing Director of SIAE), and musicians Massimo Zanotti and Beppe D’Onghi. It’s a team with deep roots in the Italian and Sammarinese music industries, and their verdict will be final.
Adding to the spectacle, the Grand Final will feature performances from several high-profile guests. Tommy Cash, who finished third for Estonia at Eurovision 2025 with “Espresso Macchiato,” will take the stage, alongside Italian legend Al Bano, renowned writer Cristiano Malgioglio, and the ever-glamorous Elettra Lamborghini. Their appearances promise to bring a dash of star power and unpredictability to the night’s proceedings.
Yet, as the excitement builds, controversy threatens to overshadow the celebrations. According to EurovisionFun, questions have emerged over the eligibility of one of tonight’s finalists, KLEM. The rules for both the San Marino Song Contest and Eurovision itself are clear: songs must not have been released or made publicly available before September 1, 2025. However, it appears that KLEM’s entry, “OK RESPIRA,” may have breached this rule. Reports suggest that the artist posted videos to TikTok between June and August 2025 featuring excerpts of the song, and that he even performed it live at Blue Note Milan in May 2025—several months before the eligibility cutoff.
As of this evening, no official statement has been issued by the broadcaster regarding KLEM’s status. The silence has only fueled speculation. Will the jury allow “OK RESPIRA” to compete? Or will San Marino be forced to make a last-minute change to its lineup? For now, fans and competitors alike are left in suspense, refreshing their feeds for any sign of an update from RTV San Marino. It’s a classic Eurovision drama—rules, rumors, and the ever-present risk of disqualification, all playing out in real time.
For those unfamiliar with the Sammarinese selection process, it’s worth noting just how unique it is. As That Eurovision Site explains, San Marino’s national final—sometimes called Una Voce per San Marino—has earned a reputation for being the most chaotic in the Eurovision world. The country subsidizes its participation through application fees, leading to a massive influx of hopefuls from across Europe and beyond. In 2023, more than 100 acts vied for a spot. The result is a marathon of jury-only qualifying rounds, culminating in a live Grand Final where, intriguingly, none of the participants are required to be Sammarinese citizens. This open-door policy has made San Marino a magnet for artists seeking a shot at Eurovision glory, regardless of their nationality.
San Marino’s own Eurovision history is a story of resilience and ambition. Since debuting in 2008 with Miodio’s “Complice,” the country has participated 14 times, qualifying for the Grand Final on three occasions. Its best result came in 2019, when Serhat’s “Say Na Na Na” charmed Europe. Last year, Italian DJ Gabry Ponte represented San Marino with “Tutta L’Italia,” a song originally written for Sanremo. He managed to qualify for the final but ultimately finished in last place with 37 points—28 from the juries and 9 from the televote. Still, for a country of just over 30,000, even making the final is a remarkable achievement.
Tonight’s show promises all the unpredictability and drama that Eurovision fans have come to expect from San Marino. With a diverse roster of finalists, a star-studded jury, and the looming question mark over KLEM’s eligibility, the stage is set for an unforgettable evening. Whether you’re tuning in for the music, the spectacle, or the intrigue, one thing is certain: San Marino’s Eurovision adventure is never dull.
As the curtain rises at the Nuovo Teatro di Dogana, the world will be watching to see who claims the ticket to Vienna—and whether any last-minute twists will change the course of San Marino’s Eurovision story. For now, anticipation is at a fever pitch, and the next chapter in this tiny nation’s big Eurovision dream is about to be written.