Carnival 2027: Meet the Samba Schools

Carnival 2027 has a new name in Rio's top division. For the first time ever, União de Maricá will parade in the Special Group, taking the place of last-placed Acadêmicos de Niterói, while champion Viradouro returns to defend its title. With about four months to go, the full line-up is set: 12 Special Group schools over three nights, 17 Série Ouro schools over two, and plenty of stories to follow on the Sambadrome. Here is what has changed and who is parading when.

What Changed

Two numbers define the 2027 line-up. The Special Group holds steady at 12 schools, but the Série Ouro swells from 15 schools to 17, and a plan is in place to grow the top division to 15 schools by 2030. Here is who moved, and why.

União de Maricá is the story of the year. The school won the 2026 Série Ouro and goes up to the Special Group for the first time in its history. It opens the Special Group parades on Sunday, February 7, with a theme honoring the anthropologist and educator Darcy Ribeiro.

Going the other way, Acadêmicos de Niterói finished last in the Special Group in 2026 and drops back to the Série Ouro. (Full 2026 standings are in our Carnival 2026 recap.) Defending champion Unidos do Viradouro returns to try for back-to-back titles.

Two returning schools account for the Série Ouro's growth. Acadêmicos de Santa Cruz won the 2026 Série Prata and is back on the Sambadrome after being relegated in 2022. São Clemente, which dropped down in 2025, returns as well. Inocentes de Belford Roxo and Unidos do Jacarezinho, the bottom two in 2026, were originally relegated, but the league cancelled their relegation in April, so both stay in the Série Ouro. Our 2026 recap has the full story and the final standings.

Looking ahead, under an agreement between the city and the Special Group league, the Special Group will grow from 12 schools to 15 by 2030: 13 in 2028, 14 in 2029 and 15 in 2030. Each year, two schools move up from the Série Ouro and one comes down. That means the top two Série Ouro schools in 2027 will earn a spot in the Special Group for 2028.

Special Group: February 7–9

Four schools parade each night, and the parades run through the night into the early hours. The opening slots were set by last year's results, with the rest drawn in April. The six top-scoring schools return for the Champions Parade on Saturday, February 13.

Sunday, February 7

Maricá debuts with "Utopia Brasil: Darcy Ribeiro," a tribute to the anthropologist and educator. Beija-Flor honors Zeneida Lima, a pajé (healer) from Marajó island, with "Zeneida: o sopro do pé de louro." Tuiuti presents "Ciata: a mãe preta do samba," about Tia Ciata, a key figure in samba's early history. Vila Isabel's theme has not been confirmed yet.

Monday, February 8

Mocidade's "Latinamente Independente" is about Latin America's role in the world, according to early reports. Tijuca brings "A Cabeça do Santo" ("The Saint's Head"), inspired by the novel by Socorro Acioli. Salgueiro retells the story of Xica da Silva in "Laroyê Xica da Silva: A História por Trás da História." Imperatriz presents "A Memória do Rei e o Sumiço de Dona Júlia," inspired by the disappearance of a sacred maracatu doll in Olinda.

Tuesday, February 9

Portela opens with "Ao mestre, com carinho" ("To the master, with love"), a tribute to Monarco, one of the great names in its history. Viradouro defends its title with "Griô," about the West African storytellers who keep a community's memory alive. Grande Rio tells the story of Africans who won their freedom in Brazil and returned to Africa in "Sankofa Tabon." Mangueira closes the final night with "Oyá por nós," honoring the orixá Oyá (Iansã), tied to winds, storms and change.

Série Ouro: February 5–6

The Série Ouro is the access group, and its two nights open Carnival at the Sambadrome. With 17 schools, there is plenty to see. The top two schools move up for 2028.

Friday, February 5

Saturday, February 6

Before You Go

You can see samba schools up close for free before Carnival at the technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome in January. Browse them on our Rehearsals page.