Sambodromo

The Carnival parades are taking place in the Sambodromo, located close to the city center. The parades start on 20:00 or 21:00 (depending on the date) and ends around 5:00 in the morning

Sambodromo Sectors (See Map below)

The actual amount of spectators in the Sambodromo may be higher than the official seats mentioned below. Sector 9 is an exception, as you get a marked seat. Actually the word 'seat' is not relevant, as you will have to stay on your feet most of the time - even if you do not like to dance with the rest of the crowd.

Avoid Sector 1 - Access is given to the local community at a symbolic cost. Sectors 6 and 13 are the cheapest, go there only if you are really tight in budget. Sectors 3, 5 and 7 are equal in quality of view (even though there is a price difference between them). Sector 9 has marked seats and therefore less crowded. DRESS CIRCLE and BOXES are the best - and priced accordingly.

Types and capacity of seats

BOXES (total 5,992 seats)

Special Boxes - Four buildings between sectors 3, 5, 7 and 9 with up to 20 seats in A Boxes and 18 in B Boxes.
Boxes in sectors -  3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 4 – 24 boxes per sector, in a total of 144 boxes
Boxes in Sector 2 – Three floors containing boxes A, B and C, each box with 12 seats

DRESS CIRCLE (total 6,528 seats)

Uncovered boxes with walls and chairs for six occupants each, in sectors 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11

CHAIRS

4,220 chairs are placed in sectors 6 and 13. Of these, 525 are for paraplegics and their escorts.

TIERS OF SEATS (total 16,804 seats)

Uncovered spaces up to 15,80 m high, reached by stairs.
Sectors 3, 4, 5, 7, and 11, each sitting 2,900 spectators. Sector 9  with 2,306 numbered seats.

POPULAR TIERS OF SEATS (Total 25,700)

Sector 1 – in the area where the schools organize themselves for the parade; Sectors 6 and 13 – at Praça da Apoteose from where the end of the parade can be seen. Sector 1 holds up to 6,500 spectators and Sectors 6 and 13 up to 9,600 each.

Sambodromo Map

See the full map Here

Sambodromo Address:

Passarela do Samba Professor Darcy Ribeiro – Sambodromo
Rua Marques de Samurai – Praça Onze – Cidade Nova

Access: We advise to use the Metro (Subway), which operates 24 hours during the main parade days.
Odd sector seats: Central station
Even sector seats: Praca Onze station

Sambodromo Carnival Tickets

The following information is based on Carnivals 2004-2005, and may be changed in the future.

It is advised to purchase tickets in advance at travel agencies or hotels. Some tickets for Saturday parades (GROUP A and Winners Parade) may be available at the evening of the parade at the ticket office after Sector 11.
Check Liesa site (Tel. 2262-0222) for official tickets sales locations. 

When you purchase tickets, you get small plastic magnetic cards, and for some sectors also a big plastic magnetic card. Never pay for a ticket that has only big card, as you will not be allowed into the Sambodromo:

Front side	Back side

    The Small card is used to enter into the Sambodromo. This is a one-time entrance ticket - once you enter you do not get it back. In the back side of the ticket see the sector and date of entrance. This ticket is for Monday (Segunda) Main parade.

   
Front Side

The Big magnetic Card is used to enter into specific Sectors (not used in POPULAR TIERS OF SEATS). The top picture is a ticket for Sector 9 (the only sector with seat numbers). From 2005 the seat number for sector 9 is imprinted on the card. Note that this ticket is for Saturday parade - Group Access A.

The following tickets are from sector 5, 2006 Carnival.

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