The Sambadrome

Established in 1984 and designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome is the annual carnival parade stage in Rio de Janeiro.

The stadium was built especially for the carnival parade. the parade starts between sectors 2 and 3 and ends between sectors 12 and 13.
The even and odd-numbered sectors are parallel to each other and each pair has the same price and view (eg. 2 is parallel to 3, 8 to 9, etc.).
Seats closer to the center come at a higher cost.

Each Samba School has 80 minutes to traverse the 800-meter runway, accompanied by towering floats, some reaching up to 4.5 meters in height, and more than 3,500 participants dancing and celebrating.

For accessing the odd-numbered sectors, taxi or the subway (Estação Central/Central Station) are recommended. The even-numbered sectors are best reached via the subway to Praça Onze station.
Driving isn't advised due to limited parking, and municipal buses can be unsafe on Carnival nights.
Consider our shuttle transfer service, which stops at major Rio de Janeiro hotels, to make your journey hassle-free.

Choosing your seating location is important, here's a breakdown of different sectors and the uniqueness of each one:

Judges' Booths:
In the carnival parade, Rio's top 12 samba schools compete passionately. These schools showcase their best moves at three key spots along the Sambadrome route, in front of the judges' booths. These moments occur between sectors 3 and 5, 6 and 8, and 11 and 13. So, sitting near the judges lets you enjoy the parade a bit longer and offers a close-up view of the Porta-Bandeira and Mestre-Sala dance.

Recuo da Bateria:
Appreciate the samba as the drums' section retreats between sectors 9 and 11 and lets the rest of the paraders pass.

Assigned Seats:
In Sector 9, the pricier one, you'll find individually numbered seats that can be reserved, though you can't pick the specific seat number when ordering. Still, if you buy tickets together, you'll probably be seated close by. As for the other sectors, it's pretty much open seating, but most folks prefer dancing all night rather than sitting down.

VIP Lounges:
Found between every two sectors and beneath some of them, VIP Lounges offer an enhanced parade experience with exclusive perks to enjoy the Parade in the best way possible.

Sectors 4 and 5:
These sectors are popular for their affordability and good views, situated close to the center and near the Judges' booth.

Sectors 6 and 7:
Also very popular seats, right in the center of the runway, they offer a wide range of visibility.

Sectors 8 and 9:
Some of the best seats in the studiom.
Sector 9 features assigned seats, while both sectors provide the same view.

Sectors 10 and 11:
Located toward the end of the stadium, but with the retreat of the drums' this section is ideal for enjoying samba music. They are also close to the last Judges' booth.

Sector 12 (Front Seats):
These seats are at runway level, providing an affordable price point but a closer view of the parade without the birds' eye view.

Sectors 12 and 13 (Grandstand):
These seats offer a limited view, allowing you to see the parade only when it's right in front of the sectors. We don't offer tickets for these sections to guarantee an exceptional experience.

Front Box Seats (Frisas):
These intimate boxes, offer the best parade experience in the Sambadrome.
the front boxes located at the front of each sector.
These intimate boxes come in four lines: A, B, C, and D. Line A gets you as close as it gets, right on the same level as the Samba Avenue. Each box accommodates up to 6 people, offering a front-row experience. It's essential to note that the pricing is per person, not per box.
A minimum of two people per order is required to secure seating.

Some helpful tips:
- Plan ahead and leave with plenty of time, as the streets get quite crowded during Carnival.
- Check out our package, which includes transfers and parade tickets with round-trip shuttle service to the Sambadrome.
- Avoid last-minute ticket purchases, as the box office is typically closed on parade nights.
- To secure the best seats, we recommend purchasing your tickets several months in advance.
- Steer clear of scalpers, as there are associated risks, including the possibility of fake tickets.
- The Sambadrome is a safe environment.
- The parade experience is family-friendly, and many parents enjoy bringing their little ones to the event. However, please note that only kids aged 6 and above are allowed to enter.

If you're unsure about which sector to choose, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our Carnival specialists.
We're here to help you find the perfect tickets for your needs.