The drumbeats have finally faded at the Marquês de Sapucaí, bringing the competitive phase of the Rio Carnival 2026 to a dazzling close. Over two marathon nights of spectacle, the twelve elite schools of the "Special Group" transformed the Sambadrome into a riot of colour.
Later on Wednesday (18 February), the complex scoring by 36 judges will be read out at the Apoteose Square to crown the 2026 Carnival Grand Champion.
The champions' parade will be held on 21 February.
While the street parties (blocos) continue to pulse through Ipanema and Copacabana, the focus shifts to the technical verdict that will decide which community takes the coveted trophy back to the favelas.
For Brazilians and visitors, the street partying is an event not to be missed.
Local resident Telma Peori said, “We’re here fulfilling a dream: enjoying the Banda de Ipanema (Ipanema Band). The whole world is in Brazil. It’s sensational, it’s wonderful.”
Banda de Ipanema Drummer, Marcos Vinicius Santos Penha said taking part in the party is fun.
“I come from the age of tin percussion. I learned to play with a can, nobody taught me. It’s a gift that comes from my family, my father, you know? I have music in my blood. So to me, it’s very pleasing - I have fun and I also entertain others,” Marcos said.
Business woman, Luene Luciana said each year the party fun atmosphere is just a great way to make new friends.
"Carnival is a season to make friends because people get along well with each other and have fun, joke, make friends, so to me, it's wonderful."
Founded in 1965, the band is one of the classics of Rio's street Carnival and became an intangible cultural heritage of the city in 2004, according to Brazilian media.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerba...
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
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President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
China has maintained its highest-level rainstorm warning after Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the country's eastern coast, urging large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides
A 93-year-old British woman has died after being injured in wildfires that swept through southeastern Spain's Almeria province, regional authorities said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 13 people.
More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across 27 European countries during a late-June heatwave, with older people accounting for most of the toll, official data showed.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
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