Which Rio de Janeiro carnival venue hosts the annual samba-school parades?

The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí hosts Rio de Janeiro’s annual samba-school carnival parades.

The purpose-built parade avenue is officially called Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro, honoring the Brazilian educator and politician who helped establish it. It is commonly known simply as the Sambadrome, or “Sambódromo” in Portuguese.

Architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the complex, which opened in 1984. Its long central avenue is lined with grandstands, boxes and other spectator areas, allowing schools to perform before judges and large crowds. The venue replaced temporary parade arrangements on Rio streets.

A common mix-up is confusing the Sambadrome with Maracanã, Rio’s famous football stadium. Maracanã hosts football matches and concerts, while the Sambadrome is specifically associated with carnival processions. Rio’s street blocos still parade throughout the city, so not every carnival celebration takes place inside the Sambadrome.