X Factor Italy launches 20th season with Irama joining judging panel

Season launch and broadcast schedule

The twentieth edition of the Italian television music competition X Factor will premiere on Thursday, 10 September 2026 on Sky and the Now streaming platform. Free-to-air broadcasts will follow on TV8 beginning Tuesday, 15 September 2026, and on Cielo starting Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Fremantle produces the Sky Original programme, which reaches two decades on Italian television. The season presentation took place on 8 September 2026 in Milan, presented by a student from the local Liceo Boccioni to mark the show's 20-year milestone. Broadcasts will continue weekly across autumn, concluding in early December.

Judging panel and new roster

Singer-songwriter Irama, whose full name is Filippo Maria Fanti, joins the judging panel for the first time, replacing Achille Lauro after drawing 50,000 attendees to his 11 June concert at San Siro. Irama joins returning judges Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi. Singer Giorgia returns for her third consecutive year as host, guiding contestants on stage and in the backstage area. During the press presentation in Milan, Irama addressed his transition to the judging role.

I was welcomed like in a big family, they immediately made me feel at ease. I am enthusiastic to start this adventure, I hope to find my X Factor which is the most important thing.

The returning judges voiced distinct viewpoints regarding contestants' motivations. Jake La Furia cautioned candidates against prioritising fame over musicianship, arguing that seeking notoriety first leads to poor creative output. Paola Iezzi presented an alternative perspective, noting that pursuing commercial success and social mobility through music remains a legitimate goal for working-class performers. Francesco Gabbani, in his second year as a judge, noted that his aim is to deliver constructive critiques that offer practical direction to competitors.

Selection process and live stages

The competition will open with six pre-recorded selection episodes before advancing to the live phase. The initial stage consists of three Auditions episodes, followed by two Bootcamp episodes where judges can use the X Pass card to grant direct passage to contestants. The selection phase concludes with the Last Call episode, which implements a switch mechanic to establish each judge's final roster of three artists.

Many young people make the mistake of wanting to be famous and not wanting to be musicians; you need passion for music to become a great musician, otherwise you just become someone who uses the medium to be famous.

The resulting 12 contestants will compete weekly during the Live Shows starting on 22 October 2026 at the Teatro Repower in Milan. The competition will culminate on 3 December 2026 with the live finale at the Unipol Forum in Assago, returning the concluding event to the Milan area after two consecutive seasons staged at Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples.

Contestant diversity and format themes

The applicant pool for the 2026 season spans ages 16 through 70, with registrations arriving from Italy as well as international entries from Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Show producers and panel members addressed broader industry topics during the launch event, including the role of artificial intelligence in musical production and the place of television talent competitions. Giorgia noted that the series remains one of the few televised platforms dedicated to live musical performance. The production team confirmed that the show will focus on original vocal delivery and personal stage presence across the upcoming twelve-week broadcast run.