The Italian television talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi will premiere its 26th season on Sunday, October 11, 2026, on Canale 5, with producers expanding the school’s curriculum to include sports disciplines alongside its traditional singing and dancing programs, Leggo.it reported.
The October 11 Premiere Date on Canale 5
Production schedules place the opening broadcast of the upcoming season on October 11, 2026. Organizers initially slated the return for October 4, though network listings never formally confirmed that earlier date. Promotional material released across the program’s official channels confirmed the one-week adjustment, setting the stage for students to enter the televised academy.
Boxing, Judo and Roller Skating Enter the Curriculum
The academy will integrate high-level competitive athletics directly into daily instruction. Promotional teasers for the new season feature practitioners of boxing, judo, and artistic roller skating training alongside vocalists and dancers. Network announcements have not yet detailed how many hours students will dedicate to these sports or whether athletic performance will factor into weekly student evaluations and elimination rounds.
Alessio Sakara Linked to Coaching Roles
Speculation surrounding the coaching roster has centered on Italian mixed martial arts fighter Alessio Sakara, whom reports identify as a potential instructor for the newly introduced athletic tracks. Program organizers have not issued formal contracts or statements confirming Sakara’s participation on the coaching faculty, leaving his appointment unverified ahead of the premiere.
Precedents for Athletic Integration in 2006
The upcoming inclusion of sports marks a structural revival for the production rather than an entirely unprecedented concept. During the 2006 edition of the program, producers introduced artistic gymnastics to the curriculum. That season featured athletes Mihaela Pohoata and Mircea Zamfir working under the supervision of Jury Chechi, establishing a brief precedent for athletic crossover that organizers are now expanding into multiple combat and precision sports.
