First of all it helps to know that Sambadrome is Sambódromo in Portuguese. The Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai is the venue where the annual Rio de Janeiro samba parade is held during carnival week. Located in downtown Rio it is supposed to be close to the area where the Brazilian-African dance form originated generations ago.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival Sambadrome has changed.

The Sambadrome has been going under some major reconstruction. Four new concrete buildings were raised, which now host four new sectors with all types of seats: grandstands, open boxes or frisas, and the Camarotes. The new Sambadrome was ready by mid December 2011.

The venue’s official name today is Passarela do Samba Darcy Ribeiro and it was constructed at what was formerly the Marques de Sapucai Street and is thus often called by that same as well. The end of the samba runway, where all the participants gather after their parade and where the results are announced on Ash Wednesday is known as Apotheosis Square.

Capacity and various sectors

The Sambodrome can accommodate over 72,500 spectators and sees well over 80,000 participants during the annual parade, with each samba school comprising of around 2500 – 4000 performers. The Sambadrome is divided into concrete structures known as sectors, with even numbered sectors on one side and odd numbered sectors on the other.

Rio Carnival Ticket Types

Carnival tickets are sold for unmarked and marked seats, which are located in the concrete grandstands, boxes and luxury suites. Carnival Tickets to the 2025 Rio Carnival parade can be bought online right here.

Other events held at the Sambadrome

Many of the international artists that come to Rio perform at the Sambadrome. In the past, performances have included James Blunt, Guns n Roses, Carlos Santana, Robbie Williams, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Jonas Brothers, Avril Lavigne and Radiohead to name just a few. In 2010 the Black Eyed Peas performed here as well. This was the venue for the athletics marathon and archery events of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Grandstands or Bleachers

Grandstands or Bleachers are Rio Carnival Tickets are general admission tickets offering great samba parade views from the elevated concrete steps of the Sambadrome. Grandstands tickets are not numbered except for Sector 9, which is the tourist sector. There are no actual chairs but bleachers made of big concrete steps.

Allocated Chairs

Allocated chairs are assigned seats, available only on Sector 12 of the Rio Sambadrome and are the most affordable seated Rio carnival tickets at the Sambadrome. They are located at the very end of the samba parade, close to the Apotheosis. The chairs are organized in an open-air theatre with the long lines of chairs facing the parade. Allocated chairs are ideal for those who want to secure a chair without paying the open box seat prices.

Front Box or Frisas 

Front boxes or Frisas as they are known at the Rio Carnival Sambadrome, are the best, tickets you can get to watch the samba parades. The Open Box Sectors are located at the very floor level, as close to the runaway as it gets, in four rows of boxes, from A to D. Each box sits six people in numbered chairs. 

Folia Tropical

An All Inclusive Lounge, ideal for party people who wants to enjoy the parade and have fun at the same time. Offering open bar, buffet, DJs, shows and transportation from and to two meeting points, one on the South Zone and the other on Barra da Tijuca. Lounge area with a capacity of 1000 people.