2012 Sambadrome Parades Schedule

Rio Carnaval Background Info 

Sambadrome (Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí)

The Sambadrome, built in 1984, was designed by world famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, the same architect who designed, a.o., Brazil's capital Brasilia and the Contemporary Art Museum in Niteroi. It is a 700 meters long stadium that has capacity for 65.000 people. It is currently under reconstruction according to Niemeyer's original design and will hold around 90,000 spectators from 2012 Carnival onwards, to accommodate the ever-growing Rio Carnival Parade and for the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games.The Sambadrome consists of several independent concrete structures along both sides of Marques de Sapucai Avenue. The street itself is painted white, and becomes the place to be for the official carnaval parades during 4 consecutive nights. The parades of the Grupo Especial samba schools (on Sunday & Monday night) are by far the biggest attractions. Each samba school has a preset amount of time (80 minutes) to parade from one end of the Sambadrome to the other with all its thousands of dancers, its drum section (bateria), and a number of floats. Schools are graded by a jury, and the competition is ferocious. On Ash Wednesday (quarta-feira de cinzas), grades are gathered and one school is declared the winner. A Winners Parade (Desfile de Campeões) is held the following Saturday, featuring the five winning samba schools in the Grupo Especial category.

Sambadrome sectors (click to enlarge)

The Sambodromo is divided in sectors, and each sector has different kinds of seats.

Camarotes (VIP Lounges) are the most coveted positions. This is where you get to meet international stars, socialites, soccer players, politicians, diplomats, and fashion models.
Frisas (numbered seats) are numbered sets of six seats with a small coffee table. They are at street level, offering a very close view to the parade. There are only four rows of frisas in each odd sector, so the number of seats is quite limited.
Arquibancadas (grand stands) are the most reasonably priced seats. The elevated position gives you a better idea of schools as a group. Grand stands are not much more than big concrete steps and most people stand to dance while the schools pass.

Which sector to buy? This will depend on your preferences and budget!


Some guidelines when buying tickets:

Sector 1: Not a great option. Offers a good view of the schools only as they are entering the Sambodrome.

Sectors 2-3: Not a bad option. Still offering descent views due to its proximity to the jury section.

Sectors 4-5: Comparable to sectors 2/3 - good option.

Sectors 6-7: Central location, great views, excellent option.

Sector 8:  Central location, great views, excellent option. 

Sector 9: This sector is reserved for tourists. Tickets are available through travel agencies. Expect to pay as much as double. Located near the drummers niche (recuo da bateria), this sector benefits from the infectious adrenaline exchanged between the percussion players and the performers. Allocated seats.

Sector 10 - 11: cheaper tickets as less interesting views (at the end of the parade)

Sector 12 - 13: comparable to sector 9. Numbered seats.

Rio Bay Housing offers tickets for sectors 2 to 8, which are the best options to enjoy the parades. Price info on request. Should you wish to reserve tickets, please note that we will need full upfront payment (through Paypal or wire transfer into bank account). Tickets will be delivered at your check in.

Sambadrome Rehearsals

Visiting Rio before the carnaval? Enjoy the unique atmosphere in the Sambadrome, watching the rehearsals from the famous sambaschools for free!

2012 Program:

JANUARY

Sunday January 08
19h - Lavagem da Pista
20h - Encontro das baterias
22h - Beija Flor

Friday January 13
20h - Imperio Serrano
22h - Uniao da Ilha

Saturday January 14
19h - Tuiuti
20h - Rocinha
22h - Portela

Sunday January 15
19h - Renascer
20h - Mocidade
22h - Unidos da Tijuca

Saturday January 21
20h - Inocentes
22h - Porto da Pedra

Sunday January 22
19h - Santa Cruz
20h - Grande Rio
22h - Vila Isabel

Saturday January 28
19h - Imperio da Tijuca
20h - Estacio
22h - Imperatriz

Saturday January 29
19h - Viradouro
20h - Uniao da Ilha
22h - Salgueiro

FEBRUARY

Friday February 03
20h - Vila Isabel
21h - Grande Rio

Saturday February 04
19h - Renascer
20h - Sao Clemente
22h - Porto da Pedra

Sunday February 05
19h - Cubango
20h - Mangueira
22h - Unidos da Tijuca

Friday February 10
20h - Mocidade
21h - Salgueiro

Saturday February 11
20h - Portela
21h - Imperatriz

Sunday February 12
20h - Testing of lights & sounds with Beija Flor, the 2011 champion