For the Mad Dog the final selection before the live shows is here. This evening, Thursday, October 15, X Factor 2026 presents the Last Call, the show that will determine the twelve contestants for the Live Shows. Hosted by Giorgia, the episode will air at 9:15 p.m. on Sky Uno and stream on NOW.

After two performances that earned unanimous approval from the judges, Renato Marchisio, Davide Dore, Luca Pintus and Jacopo Sale will have to win another vote of confidence. This time, though, the rules are changing.

How the Last Call works: three chairs for each judge

The remaining artists are divided among Francesco Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia and Paola Iezzi, according to the musical project each judge intends to build.

From this point on, each judge makes their own decisions and must choose three contestants for their team. That makes twelve places in total for the Live Shows.

During the performances, artists who impress their judge can take one of the three available chairs. But taking a seat does not mean they have qualified for sure.

When all the chairs are occupied, the studio turns red and the switch mechanism kicks in: if another contestant deserves a place, the judge must ask one of the artists already selected to get up and make room.

Things can change right up until the last performance, which for each team will be by the contestant chosen at Bootcamp through the X Pass. That pass guaranteed them a place in the Last Call, but not an automatic spot in the Live Shows.

What the Mad Dog need to do to make it through

For the Sassarese band, the goal will be to win a chair and keep it until their judge makes the final decision. If they are eliminated, their journey on the show will come to an end.

The Mad Dog come into this round after earning four yes votes at the Auditions with “Brianstorm” by Arctic Monkeys and making it through Bootcamp with “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand.

Those two performances introduced a project shaped by rehearsal rooms, local venues and original music to a national audience, as we told in our feature on the history and origins of the Mad Dog.

What happens if they make it through the Last Call

Qualifying would put the Mad Dog among the twelve artists in the Live Shows, which begin on Thursday, October 22, at the Teatro Repower in Assago.

They would join a judge’s official team and begin preparing their performances for the show. The selected contestants will move into the Loft, while from October 16, at 8:30 p.m. on Sky Uno and NOW, X Factor Daily will follow the song assignments, rehearsals and daily life.

So, to watch the Mad Dog’s selection, tune in tonight at 9:15 p.m. The episode will also be available on demand and on Sky Go, with a later free-to-air broadcast on TV8 and Cielo.