Amici 26 is set to debut on Sunday, October 11, at 14:00 on Canale 5, bringing a sweeping overhaul to Maria De Filippi’s talent show. The upcoming season introduces a completely restructured coaching staff, new rules for securing bench spots, and the inclusion of combat sports alongside the traditional disciplines of singing and dancing. Production has selected approximately 25 aspirants to enter the Elios studios in Rome, though every participant must still earn their permanent place in the school.
The Coaching Staff Becomes Artistic Direction
The traditional structure of professors undergoes a significant rebranding for the new term, with instructors officially designated as artistic directors. The singing department features a trio consisting of Rudy Zerbi, Amadeus, and Samurai Jay. For the dance division, Alessandra Celentano and Lorella Cuccarini resume their roles, joined by Ambra Angiolini as an artistic director. Amadeus brings extensive television and music industry experience to the roster, while Ambra Angiolini transitions into dance supervision following her tenure as a judge on X Factor. Samurai Jay enters the program as the youngest instructor in its history.
Further structural changes affect the rest of the faculty. Anna Pettinelli departs the teaching roster to join Tale e Quale Show. Meanwhile, the professional roster sees the return of established figures alongside potential new additions like dancer Angelo Madonia, though full roster confirmations arrive during the October 11 season premiere.
New Rules For The Opening Class And Bench Allocation
Securing an initial entry jersey no longer guarantees a permanent spot in the school. The 25 aspirants selected during auditions have earned only temporary admission passes by securing at least one positive vote from the artistic directors. Candidates must undergo subsequent evaluations, requiring approval from at least two artistic directors before they can choose their supervising mentor. The opening episode features the return of the previous season’s winner, Lorenzo, who brings the trophy back to the studio and performs his latest single alongside Erocaddeo to launch the term.
Among the initial cohort of 25 aspirants, the singing category features candidates Kashmire, Saitta, Jed, Aura, Shari, Nicolò, Andrea Heros, Manuel, Tìaso, Posniak, and Erness. The dance division introduces Napo, Celeste, Anna, Anna Messina, Clara, Riccardo, and Lollo. The selection process for singer Shari concluded with a rejection from Amadeus, who cited their prior artistic collaboration at the Sanremo Music Festival as the reason for declining her entry into the school.
Curriculum Adds Competitive Combat Sports and Skating
The most radical departure from historical format guidelines is the introduction of competitive sports to the curriculum. The season adds judo, boxing, and roller figure skating alongside traditional singing and dancing. Judo athlete India and young boxer Gabriele enter the program to complete a parallel training track. These student-athletes face external challengers every weekly cycle, requiring a victory to maintain their position in the school, with evaluations managed by discipline-specific experts. MMA champion Alessio Sakara is heavily linked to a coaching role for the sports division, pending official confirmation during the broadcast.
Canale 5 Launches Restructured Academy on October 11
While preliminary registration sessions at the Elios studios in Rome have established the primary roster and format adjustments, several elements remain unconfirmed ahead of the broadcast. The complete confirmation of all auxiliary athletic coaches and the final operational mechanics of the weekly external challenges for the sports division await full disclosure during the premiere on Canale 5. The network schedule locks Sunday, October 11, at 14:00 as the official television launch for the restructured academy.
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