What is the official name of Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome parade walkway?

The official name of Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome parade walkway is Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro.

The complex is more widely called the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, after the avenue where it stands. Its formal name honors Darcy Ribeiro, a Brazilian educator, anthropologist and politician who supported the project. In everyday English, “Sambadrome” is much more familiar than the official designation.

The venue opened in 1984 and was designed by Oscar Niemeyer. The central passarela is the route used by the principal samba schools during the competitive carnival parades. Spectator stands and judging areas flank the avenue, turning the space into a purpose-built performance corridor.

People sometimes assume the official name honors Niemeyer because he designed the building. It does not: the architect and the honoree are different people. The name Marquês de Sapucaí refers to the avenue and is also commonly used as shorthand for the entire venue.