On December 2, 2010, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Italy would compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, set to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Italy returned to the contest after a 14-year absence, having last competed in the 1997 Contest. The entry was organised by Italian broadcaster Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) and finished second after the winning song from Azerbaijan.

Italy was one of the seven participating countries to take part in the first contest in 1956. The Eurovision Song Contest was initially inspired by the Italian Sanremo Music Festival, held annually since 1951 in the city of Sanremo. Since their debut Italy has taken part 37 times, and has won the contest twice - in 1964 with the song "Non ho l'età" (I'm not old enough) performed by Gigliola Cinquetti, and in 1990 with "Insieme: 1992" (Together: 1992) performed by Toto Cutugno. Italy has also come 2nd once - again with Gigliola Cinquetti and the song "Sì", and 3rd four times - including the global hit song "Nel blu dipinto di blu", also known as "Volare", performed by Domenico Modugno in 1958. Italy has also hosted the contest twice - in 1965 in Naples, and in 1991 in Rome.

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