On Saturday, February 13, 2027, four days after Carnival Tuesday, the six top-ranked Grupo Especial schools parade again at the Sapucaí. It's the Champions' Parade (Desfile das Campeãs). Seeing the winners without the tension of the competition has its charm, but it means staying almost another week or planning your trip around that night. Here's what's known and how to decide.
At a glance
- Date: Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the Marquês de Sapucaí.
- Who parades: the top six of the Grupo Especial, according to Liesa ↗.
- What isn't known yet: which schools they'll be and in what order. It depends on the competition results.
- Tickets: through Ticketmaster, Liesa's official channel.
- Competition nights: Sunday, February 7; Monday, February 8; and Tuesday, February 9.
What the Champions' Parade is
After the three competition nights, the judges score the parades and the champion is decided at the apuração, the tally of scores. The top six come back the following Saturday for a celebration parade, with no judges. The schools return with their floats and costumes. For the crowd it's a party: everyone already knows who won and the fans come out to celebrate.
As of October 16, 2026, Liesa hadn't published the date of the 2027 apuração. It's traditionally held on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 10 in 2027, but confirm it once it's announced.
What you know and what you don't when you buy
You buy a ticket without knowing which schools you'll see or in what order. The twelve 2027 Grupo Especial schools are, according to Liesa's official order ↗: União de Maricá, Beija-Flor, Paraíso do Tuiuti, Vila Isabel, Mocidade, Unidos da Tijuca, Salgueiro, Imperatriz, Portela, Viradouro, Grande Rio and Mangueira. Six of them will parade on the 13th.
If you're traveling for a particular school, the only way to be sure you'll see it is on its competition night. The Champions' Parade is a gamble.
Tickets
In the general sale on August 10, 2026, Liesa included Champions' Saturday among the days on sale at Ticketmaster, at the fixed price of R$ 250 per night for special arquibancadas and cadeiras (half-price ticket, R$ 125). As of October 16, 2026, Ticketmaster showed the arquibancadas, frisas and cadeiras as sold out; Liesa releases more tickets in new phases.
The rules for buying from abroad, per-buyer limits and digital delivery are in Rio Carnival 2027 tickets. To choose a spot, see which Sambódromo sector to choose.
Is it worth staying?
It's worth it if…
- You want to see the winners without the uncertainty of the competition, in a party atmosphere.
- Your trip already includes that week: for example, if you arrive after Carnival or want to stay a few more beach days.
- You couldn't get tickets for the competition nights and the Champions' Parade has availability in a new phase.
A competition night is better if…
- You're interested in a specific school: it may not finish in the top six.
- You're short on days: adding Wednesday the 10th through Saturday the 13th means several extra nights of lodging, on high-demand dates.
- You want the competition: the official parade, with judges and schools defending their title, takes place on the nights of the 7th to the 9th.
If you stay
- Book with flexible cancellation until you decide.
- Check the metro service: in 2026, MetrôRio ran for the Champions' Parade from 5 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday. The 2027 plan hasn't been published yet. You'll find the details in how to get to the Sambódromo.
- Make use of the days between Wednesday and Saturday: you can add beach time or one of the day trips from Rio.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Série Ouro champion parade too?
As of October 16, 2026, Liesa only mentions the top six of the Grupo Especial. If there are other participants, they'll be announced closer to the date.
When will I know which schools are parading?
When the apuração results are published, after Tuesday, February 9.
Is it cheaper than the competition nights?
In the general sale, Liesa announced the same fixed price per night for special arquibancadas and cadeiras. Confirm the current price on Ticketmaster.
To plan the rest of your trip, continue with the Carnival 2027 guide.
Sources: Liesa: general ticket sale ↗ and 2027 parade order ↗, accessed October 16, 2026.