Sambodromo
sectors and tickets

The Sambodromo (also known in English as Sambadrome or Sambodrome) is the "stadium" of samba. It consists of the Parading Avenue (the samba run-way) and several independent concrete structures for the spectators (the so called sectors) along both sides of the Parading Avenue.

The Sambodromo was designed by Brazil's world-famous architect, the modernist Oscar Niemeyer. It had been purposely built for the Samba Parade and was inaugurated in 1984. Being made of concrete, it seems a bit dated for the post-modern eyes of today. It feels derelict if not ugly, surrounded only by favelas, while serving smaller cultural events, during the year.

Mocidade Samba School float details

However, it comes to life during Carnival It is truly magnificent and overpowering, lit up with special effects on Samba Parade nights, filled with thousands of cheering spectators and surrounded by many other thousands of people who could not get inside.

It can seat around 70,000 people, which is already far too few for the ever growing Rio Carnival Parade. However, since it is under protection, it cannot be rebuilt nor expanded.

Location

The Sambodromo is located at the recognized birthplace of samba. It begins at Avenida Presidente Vargas, near Praça Quinze and ends in Rua Frei Caneca. The large square at the end is, crowned by an idiosyncratic and very memorable large concrete M, called the Apotheosis Square. The Avenue was named Professor Darcy Ribeiro since it was chosen by Vice-Governor Darcy Ribeiro who moved the Parade , from the city center. It is 700m (half a mile) long.

Amenities

There are snack bars, refreshment stands and restrooms in each Sambodromo sector. In addition, everybody has access to a promenade behind the bleachers within the Sambodromo that is lined with restaurants, ice-cream stands, souvenir shops and more restrooms.

Safety

The Sambodromo on Samba Parade days is considered to be the safest place in South America. There is a very high concentration of international celebrities, politicians and royalties among the crowd. The Sambodromo is surrounded by huge fences which no-one can pass without being checked for both commercial and safety reasons.

What to take

Be prepared that it is only fast food that is available in the Sambodromo. So we suggest having your dinner before setting off. You could take plastic containers with beverages and some food such as sandwiches and fruits. Objects made of polystyrene, bottles, glasses, firecrackers and fireworks are forbidden.

Umbrellas are not a good idea, as they can easily get in the way of other people's view of the Parade.
As the show is extremely long and goes on until sunrise, some people take little mattresses and/or pillows to sit on and even have a nap on.
You should take some toilet tissue as in the late hours it might run short in the bathrooms.

Some people take binocular/theatre glasses.
You can take any type of still camera or normal video cameras (however professional video cameras are not allowed) etc., it is totally safe inside the Sambodromo. But be warned - only show them after you already checked in and be careful with anything valuable outside.

How to dress

Wear whatever you prefer. There are no rules not even standards what to wear for the Samba Parade (bear in mind that Rio people go even to weddings and funerals in colorful bermudas). People and celebrities in the boxes will dress up, however. In the Grand Stand sectors, informal street style rules. Use very light clothing as it is usually hot throughout the night but wear darker colors so as not to get too dirty. A raincoat should be considered for the eventuality of a summer shower nevertheless if it rains, vendors will surely have them on sale in the Sambodromo.

 

When to arrive

Imperatriz Samba School float detail

Doors open at 17.00. Some without allocated seats queue up for it to get the best seats in the sectors which are considered to be the best, near the front.
There is a little welcoming show at 20.00 with King Momo opening the night passing through the Sambodromo.

An average person generally watches 3-5 samba schools. Thus, to arrive around 22.00-23.00 is a reasonable idea, particularly considering that that is when the atmosphere starts to peak. If you hold a grandstands ticket with no assignement and are healthy enough for the 12-hour marathon, arrive early and sit as you please.

Sambodromo

Sectors

Imperio da Tijuca Samba School at the Sambadromo

Big, numbered, concrete buildings/structures are along the samba run-way within the Sambodromo. The odd-numbered ones are all on the one side and the even-numbered on the other.

Most sectors (3, 4, 5, 7 and 11) have grand stand seats and have boxes in front.
Sector 1 also has grand stand seats. It is in the area where the schools organize themselves for the Parade, but has poor viewpoints. Tickets for this sector are not sold but are given out by the schools.

Sector 2 has covered suites on 3 floors (A, B and C-being on the top). Grand Stand Sector 4 has restricted views (you would not see the paraders from their starting point). It has great atmosphere however with great acoustics, as it is right in front of the drummer's niche.

The boxes in front Sector 4 however offer excellent views of the whole Parade, as Sector 2 does not block its viewpoint from this area. Sector 6 and 13 have grand stand seats which are very cheap due to the fact that the view is poor from this far behind. There are also private numbered chairs in front of these sectors.

Sector 9 is the tourist sector which means that tickets for them are mainly sold abroad and are priced significantly higher. In this sector all seats are numbered. You might feel t quite isolated from the Brazilians and the "party" there .

Seat types

There are two types of Sambodromo seats: grand stand seats and numbered seats (in open or covered boxes/suites and on numbered chairs).

Grand Stand seats

Grand stand seats (bleachers or "arquibancadas") are on big concrete steps. There are no allocated seats within the sectors (with the exception of sector 9). You may choose how high you want your viewpoint. You can also move at any time to another part/level of your sector. To watch the Parade from a higher position will give a better idea of the schools as a group, and more perspective of the whole Parade. Moving closer, you can appreciate more of the costume details and the paraders' samba. Most people stand up to dance, and here being so close to thousands of Brazilians, you will really experience what carnival actually means to them.

Drummers of the Viradouro Samba School

The price difference between these sectors reflects what the market thinks about the views from that particular section of the Parading Avenue. The most expensive seats are around the halfway mark of the runway and just a bit towards the end of the avenue.
The best options are Sector 7, 11 or 5.

Boxes/Suites

Box/Suite tickets are for numbered seats within the allocated box/suite in a particular sector. There are two types - covered suites and open front-boxes. Covered suites are the most excusive Sambodromo tickets offering the best views and the most comfort.

The best ones are the suites in sector 2, on 3 floors (A, B and C-being the top floor). They hold 12 people. There are more covered boxes in between sector 3, 5, 7 and 9, holding 24 spectators in A boxes and 20 in B boxes.

Front boxes (called "frisas") have 6 numbered chairs and a small coffee table (no windows to fight for). They are along the Avenue right on the samba run-way, in front of the sectors 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

Viradouro Samba School Participant

The Drummers' niche

The drummers of every school stop, perform and play in the drummers' niche (between Sector 9 and 11) where the atmosphere is the most heated and intense. The front boxes in front of Sector 4 are located just opposite, offering the best acoustics and full view of their performance. Sector 11 also offers great acoustics and hot atmosphere.

How to get to the Sambodromo

We do offer guided transfers to the Sambodromo for a flat fee of US$ 79 per person, roundtrip. This is the safest and nicest way since you get to understand what Carnival is all about and prepare for the party. However other options are o more economical and also worth considering.

The best and easiest way is by subway/metro or hailing a taxi on the street when needed. Many companies offer special transfer services but accurate timing is impossible adhere to on Samba Parade days and you might get very annoyed having to wait for hours. Try to avoid taking busses
Your route to the Sambodromo will depend on your seating sector as there is no connection between the two sides of the Sambodromo on Samba Parade days.

Taxi

Best to hail one on the street as there are many and you won´t have to wait when traffic times are unpredictable. Tell the driver in advance of your sector number. The taximeter or an agreement with the driver sets the price of the journey.

There is a little extra tariff to leave the Sambodromo. Ask before getting in (and negotiate) but it should only set you back R$30-50 (app. US$20). There are 2 dedicated taxi companies which are exclusively serving the Sambodromo on Samba Parade days, they have a good fleet of cars. They cost a bit more than regular taxis (about R$60) but the advantage is that they will take you right inside your own sector.

Even-numbered sectors
Coopatur - Tel: 2573-1009 / 2560-1009
Odd-numbered sectors
Coopertramo - Tel: 2560-2022/2560-1474

Subway

It goes uninterrupted all round the clock on Carnival days until 23.00 on Tuesday, at 10 minute intervals during the night. It is safe on Carnival days and leaves you very close to the Sambodromo when all other traffic comes to a still-stand.

Even-numbered sectors
Get off at "Praça Onze" station. Once outside the station, turn twice to your right and then walk straight ahead. For sectors 4 and 6, take Rua Carmo Neto and walk on to Av. Salvador de Sá. You will see the Sambodromo soon.

Odd-numbered sectors
Get off at "Central" station. Then walk following the crowd to the Sambodromo, approximately 700 meters (half a mile), going past the schools' floats and Samba Land.

Museum

There is a small (about the size of a suburban family home) carnival museum at the Sambodromo which is free of charge and is open from 11 to 5 Tuesday to Sunday. It is located downtown on Rua Marques de Sapucai, the entrance being from Rua Frei Caneca. It has exhibits telling the story of Carnival and samba. Several former costumes are also on display.

Sambodromo Visits

Entry to the Sambodromo is only possible with tickets for events. However it opens its doors and offers free entry to the grand stand seats in almost all sectors on rehearsal days which take place in the Sambodromo on the weekends before Rio Carnival.