The first live show of X Factor 2026 aired Thursday on Sky Uno and streamed on NOW, with Giorgia hosting from the X Factor Arena and judges Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Irama and Francesco Gabbani presiding over twelve contestants across four teams. According to Sky TG24, the evening comprised two rounds of cover performances, after which the lowest-voted artists from each round — Veronica and Alice Fregoso — went head-to-head in the ballottaggio. The judges sent Alice Fregoso home, while Teo Bok won the Škoda X Pass and rejoined the competition in Gabbani's team.
Why it matters
The live phase marks the point where the public begins shaping the outcome, and the first results already reshuffled the teams. Gabbani's squad had been left without a contestant after the two cover rounds, and Teo Bok's return through the X Pass restored his lineup. The episode also set the tone for the weeks ahead, with the final scheduled for 3 December at the Unipol Forum in Assago. Sky TG24 reports that the show airs Thursdays at 21:15 on Sky and NOW, with on-demand and Sky Go availability, a Tuesday repeat on TV8 and a Wednesday repeat on Cielo.
How the ballottaggio unfolded
Veronica, the least-voted artist of the first round, performed Voilà by Barbara Pravi as her chosen song. Alice Fregoso, who finished bottom of the second round, picked Disfruto by Carla Morrison and completed the performance despite an early technical problem.
The judges' votes split. Francesco Gabbani voted to eliminate Veronica, while Jake La Furia, Irama and Paola Iezzi voted against Alice Fregoso, ending her run on the show. Her judge offered parting words, telling her she has a strong future ahead, according to Sky TG24's live coverage.
Before the result, Giorgia introduced the two X Pass hopefuls, Timothée Bonnardel and Teo Bok, each of whom performed a signature song. A flash televote from viewers at home decided the winner, and Teo Bok returned to the competition in Gabbani's team.
The performances that advanced
Several contestants moved through comfortably. Patrizia, from Irama's team, took on James Brown's It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World and drew a standing ovation. Jake La Furia said he looked forward to hearing her in another musical genre, prompting Irama to respond with a reference to his own contestant Alex Fontana. Irama told Patrizia she had filled the performance with colour.
The Scraffs, competing for Gabbani, played What a Wonderful World in Joey Ramone's version. Jake La Furia felt the performance was heavy on music and light on voice, and Paola Iezzi said it had not drawn her in. Gabbani defended his act, saying the group had delivered the song in their own way and that it had reached him.
Martina Cerutti, performing as ALÌA for Jake La Furia's team, sang MAYBE. by Sienna Spiro and impressed despite an early technical hitch. Irama said he had never hidden his artistic soft spot for her.
Lenanie, also on Irama's team, performed Blanco's Blu Celeste, which she had rewritten. Her judge praised her as a songwriter rather than an interpreter, telling her she had put her own story and truth into the music.
camilla, from Paola Iezzi's team, sang You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore and drew praise across the panel. Irama called it superb, Francesco Gabbani said he had nothing to criticise this time, and Iezzi described her as a hidden diamond now visible to everyone.
Alice Fregoso had earlier performed Piazza grande by Lucio Dalla in the second round. Jake La Furia acknowledged her singing and the quality of the song but said the performance had left him somewhat flat and that he had expected more emotion. Paola Iezzi missed her guitar, while Gabbani found the rendition wonderful.
Manu, on Paola Iezzi's team, performed Achille Lauro's Incoscienti giovani, with Irama praising her genuineness.
Alongside the ballottaggio pair, camilla, Patrizia, ALÌA, Lenanie and the Scraffs advanced from the second round, while Alex Fontana, Giacomo Calò, the Mad-Dog, Manu and Le Distanze progressed from the first.
Marco Mengoni returns as guest
Marco Mengoni appeared as the evening's special guest, performing an unreleased set and then his single Giornate perse, the first track from his new album Felice sì, ma tutto sbagliato, due on 11 December 2026, Sky TG24 reports. Mengoni began his own musical path on X Factor seventeen years ago.
He also discussed a new venture starting in November: the creative direction of the off line club Allo Sbagliato, which will host a 26-date residency alongside evenings featuring Italian and international music, comedy, reading, stand-up and DJ sets.
What to watch
The competition continues toward the 3 December final at the Unipol Forum in Assago, with the remaining contestants now narrowed and Gabbani's team back at full strength.
