Unidos do Viradouro is the champion of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival in 2026. The result was announced this Wednesday (18), after counting the votes of the Special Group that took place in Cidade do Samba, in the Gamboa neighborhood, central region of the city.
The title came after a total of 270 points. The runner-up was Beija-Flor, with 269.9 points, alongside Vila Isabel, with the same score. Three more associations complete the podium: Salgueiro (269.7 points), Imperatriz (269.4) and Mangueira (269.2). They will all participate in the Parade of Champions next Saturday (21), at the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome.
Viradouro took the plot to the Sambadrome Up, Ciça!which celebrates the 70th birthday of Moacyr da Silva Pinto, the longest-serving drum master of an active samba school.
During the parade, the honored master participated in the front committee and the last float, conducting the rhythmists. In addition to Viradouro, Ciça has already conducted the batteries of Unidos da Tijuca, Grande Rio, União da Ilha and Estácio de Sá, where he started in 1988.
The master, recognized for his well-rehearsed drum parades, led the percussion in two of the three carnivals won by Viradouro (2020 and 2024) and in a parade won by Estácio de Sá (1992).
This is Viradouro’s fourth title at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The school’s last trophy was in 2024. In the list of greatest champions, Portela remains in the lead with 22 titles, followed by Mangueira (20), Beija-Flor de Nilópolis (15), Salgueiro, Império Serrano and Imperatriz Leopoldinense (9).
Acadêmicos de Niterói was relegated this year to the Gold Series with 264.6 points. The school brought the plot From Alto do Mulungu Hope Arises: Lula, the Worker of Brazil.
The group that will occupy the Academicos de Niterói vacancy will be known on Thursday (19), when the official results of the Gold Series vote count are released.
