The Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro (Liesa) released the official calendar of technical rehearsals for Rio Carnival 2026, in Marquês de Sapucaí. Each school in the Special Group will carry out two rehearsals at the Sambadrome, in a structure identical to that of the official parades, with lights, sound and track operations in full operation.
As a big novelty this year, the junior parades will open, for the first time, the Special Group’s technical rehearsal schedule, on three different dates, reinforcing the role of these schools in training new samba dancers and renewing the Rio carnival.
Rehearsals begin on January 30th and continue until February 8th, always on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, bringing together the Special Group groups in training sessions open to the public, who will now be able to feel the atmosphere of what will be presented at Carnival 2026.
Calendar of technical tests at Marquês de Sapucaí:
Friday – 1/30
9pm – Niterói Academics
Independent Youth of Father Miguel
Mangueira First Station
Unidos da Tijuca
Saturday – 1/31
6pm – Junior Samba Schools (3 groups) – opening of technical rehearsals
8pm – Unidos de Vila Isabel
Salgueiro Academics
Tuiuti Paradise
Portela
Sunday – 1/2
5:30 pm – Junior Samba Schools (3 groups)
7pm – Unidos do Viradouro
Empress Leopoldinense
Grande Rio Academics
Nilópolis Hummingbird
Friday – 6/2
9pm – Niterói Academics
Independent Youth of Father Miguel
Mangueira First Station
Unidos da Tijuca
Saturday – 7/2
6pm – Walkway washing
Right away:
United States of Vila Isabel
Salgueiro Academics
Tuiuti Paradise
Portela
Sunday – 8/2
6pm – Junior Samba Schools (2 groups)
7pm – Unidos do Viradouro
Empress Leopoldinense
Grande Rio Academics
Nilópolis Hummingbird
Liesa
Since last year, the samba schools of the Special Group have been parading in three days at Marquês de Sapucaí, with a reduction from six to four of the groups that perform per day, at Passarela do Samba. With the new format, the parade time is a minimum of 70 minutes and a maximum of 80 minutes, in accordance with Liesa regulations.
This 10-minute addition to the parade allows for longer and more detailed presentations of the plot at Marquês de Sapucaí. The Special Group parades take place on Sunday, February 15; on Monday (16) and Tuesday (17).
On Sunday (15) they parade in order: Academics from Niterói, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Portela and Mangueira.
On Monday (16) the following will perform: Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, Beija-Flor, Viradouro and Unidos da Tijuca.
On Tuesday (16) it will be the turn of the schools: Paraíso do Tuiuti, Vila Isabel, Grande Rio and Salgueiro.
