FantaSanremo, the fantasy game inspired by the iconic Sanremo Music Festival, has become a national phenomenon, merging music, media, and fan engagement into a single interactive experience. Players create virtual teams of competing artists, appoint a captain, and earn points based on performances and other festival-related events. The game, entirely online via FantaSanremo.com or the official app, has grown into a cultural staple, engaging millions each year.
For 2026, the official “baudi” values (FantaSanremo’s virtual currency) have been set for the 30 main artists, ranging from 13 to 17 baudi. Popular acts like Fedez & Marco Masini and Tommaso Paradiso top the list at 17 baudi, while newcomers like Chiello and Ditonellapiaga are priced at 13 baudi.
Beyond scoring points, players can unlock digital trophies for completing specific actions—creating teams and leagues, sharing squads on social media, or even forming “secret” teams. These trophies add another layer to the game, encouraging engagement beyond the festival nights.
FantaSanremo has grown dramatically since its 2020 launch. Initially a small gathering of 47 teams in Porto Sant’Elpidio, it went online during the pandemic, reaching tens of thousands of players by 2021, and exploded to over 5 million teams by 2025. Each edition has seen bigger participation, new gameplay mechanics, and even artist involvement, with performers earning points for saying “FantaSanremo” on stage or social media.
The game remains free and prize-free in monetary terms, offering players the symbolic glory of victory, along with collectible trophies. Participants can manage multiple teams, swap starters with reserves, and create private leagues to compete with friends, making FantaSanremo both a strategic and social experience.
Recent editions have broken participation records: in 2026, nearly a month before the festival, the game had already surpassed 628,000 registered teams. Past winners include Olly in 2025, Marco Mengoni in 2023, and Emma in 2022, illustrating how FantaSanremo mirrors festival success while creating a distinct fantasy universe of its own.
Whether a die-hard Sanremo fan or a newcomer curious about Italian pop culture, FantaSanremo has transformed the festival into a digital playground where strategy, luck, and fandom collide in real time.