 Discover why the Rio Sambadrome is the biggest stage on earth.
It's very easy. The Sambodromo - or Sambadrome - in Rio is the biggest stage on earth because it nightly hosts a parade with over 30,000 people showing off on a half a mile runway, to the delight of 90,000 spectators.
Designed by Oscar Neimeyer and built in 1984, the Rio de Janeiro Sambadrome is a massive concrete stadium-like structure built along both sides of Avenida Marques de Sapucai, designed to create a runway for the schools to parade down until they reach the Apotheosis Square at the end where they manifest the magnificent magic of Carnaval, and dare the awestruck onlookers to deem any show on earth worthy of comparison.
There are 12 samba schools from the 'special group' to perform. The first night, Sunday , 6 of these schools perform at the Sambadrome - Samba Parade Ground . Each of them has from 70 to 85 minutes to perform, and the parade finishes at the 'Praça da Apoteose' (the M shaped structure at the end of the avenue ). Each school has a different theme. Each samba school has an average of 4.000 participants.
How to Get to the Sambadrome
The best way to get to the sambadrome is to follow your ticket location.
Since the Sambadrome is divided by even numbered sectors (North) and odd numbered sectors (South), it's important that you know your sector before hand. The best way to get to the Sambadrome is by subway or taxi. Whether your tickets are for even or odd numbered sectors will determine the way to go for your cab driver or the station in case you decide to use the subway (metro).
EVEN NUMBERED SECTORS
If your tickets are for Sectors 2, 4 or 6, these are your best bets:
Taxi - pre-determined taxi companies serve the even sectors and there is plenty of information about them during Rio Carnaval. There is a tariff to leave the Sambadrome and the taximeter or an agreement with the passenger settles the journey to the place.
Subway - it goes uninterruptedly every-day to 11 pm of Tuesday, the last day of Rio Carnival, with intervals of 10 minutes. The getting off stop is always at Praça Onze station, no matter where from. Once outside the station, turn twice to your right and then walk straight ahead to Sector 2. To arrive at Sectors 4 and 6, turn on Rua Carmo Neto and keep walking until Av. Salvador de Sá. The Sambadrome can soon be seen and several signs show the entrance to the sectors.
 ODD NUMBERED SECTORS
If your tickets are for Sectors 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, your options are as follows:
Taxi - special companies serve the odd numbered sectors as well, with fixed tariff. In any case, ordinary taxicabs take passengers to the Sambadrome charging what the taximeter shows or what has been agreed upon. For those who come from zona sul, the best route is through Santa Bárbara tunnel, and for those from zona norte via Rua Itapiru. In both cases the taxicab must go over Viaduto São Sebastião, which runs parallel to the Sambadrome. Right away the signs to the entrances of different sectors can be seen.
Subway - either from zona norte or zona sul, the getting off stop is Central. From there, walk to the Sambadrome, a long stretch of approximately 700 meters, going past the schools' allegorical cars and the Terreirão do Samba.
Bus - coming from zona sul or zona norte, it is important to make sure that the bus is going over Viaduto São Sebastião, as many lines change the itinerary during Rio Carnaval.
What you can take to the Sambadrome
At most two 500ml plastic containers with beverages and two items of food, such as fruit and/or sandwich. Objects made of polystyrene, bottles, glasses, firecrackers and fireworks are strictly forbidden. A discardable raincoat should be considered for the eventuality of a summer shower. Umbrellas are not a good idea, as they can easily get in the way of other people's view of the parade.
At the Sambadrome there are shops and fast food kiosks in all sectors.
USEFUL LINKS:
Learn more about the Sambadrome.
Guarantee your tickets to the Rio Carnival Parade.
be an expert on rio carnival. get the facts and the schedule of events.
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