Amici 26 is shaking up its traditional format by introducing judo, boxing, and roller artistic skating to the school, expanding its focus beyond singing and dancing for the upcoming television season on Canale 5.
New Sports Disciplines Join Amici 26
The talent show hosted by Maria De Filippi is set to launch its next edition on Sunday, October 4, bringing three distinct sports into the spotlight, according to reports initially anticipated by the weekly magazine Chi and subsequently detailed by Giuseppe Candela. For the first time in the program’s history, the curriculum will feature dedicated slots for athletic disciplines alongside the traditional vocal and dance training.
Under the reported structure, the school will admit a single student for each of the three new sports: a boxer, a judoka, and a roller artistic skater. These athletes will occupy specific benches and face regular evaluations, including direct elimination challenges, just like their singing and dancing peers. Rather than attending vocal or choreography classes, these competitors will train under the guidance of specialized industry professionals.
How Boxing, Judo, and Skating Change the Academy
The inclusion of combat sports and performance skating marks a significant pivot for the academy’s definition of talent. Among the additions, boxing introduces a combat ring into the school, requiring athletes to train specifically for physical bouts. Meanwhile, judo brings technical throws, rigorous physical preparation, and high-pressure combat dynamics onto the tatami mats inside the school.
Roller artistic skating bridges the gap between traditional performing arts and competitive athletics, merging music, choreography, and technical skating elements under a format familiar to the show’s audience. Speculation surrounds the potential coaching staff for these new additions, with reports noting that Italian MMA fighter Alessio Sakara—known as ‘Legionarivs’ and a veteran of organizations like the UFC and Bellator—has been mentioned as a possible instructor by Gabriele Parpiglia.
Historical Precedents and Casting Rumors
While the introduction of combat sports represents a fresh direction for the series, Amici has occasionally incorporated athletic disciplines in past seasons. Viewers of earlier editions recall the inclusion of artistic gymnastics during the 2006 season, when athletes Mihaela Pohoata and Mircea Zamfir trained under Juri Chechi. Meanwhile, other disciplines like acting have come and gone; Fioretta Mari previously noted that theatrical training featured prominently in the show’s early years before being scaled back due to production costs and structural shifts.
As production ramps up toward the October 4 premiere, casting rumors have also circulated regarding potential participants from the music sector, with outlets noting that artists who competed in the Festival di Sanremo—such as Matteo Romano, Will, and Shari—have participated in preliminary auditions. However, industry reporting cautions that passing an audition does not guarantee a spot in the final television cast.
What Happens Next
The official student roster and final class structure will take shape when Amici 26 premieres on Canale 5 on Sunday, October 4. Fans and viewers can follow official broadcast updates and channel announcements as the production finalizes its lineup ahead of the opening bell.
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