Rio and Liesa to Gradually Expand Top Carnival Group to 15 Schools

Overview

• An agreement announced Thursday by Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere and Liesa president Gabriel David sets a path to expand the elite Grupo Especial from 12 to 15 schools.
• The 2027 parade will keep 12 schools, with a draw next week to assign which day each marches at the Sambadrome.
• The expansion will require Liesa to change its rules, add staging capacity and transport, and run nights that eventually feature five schools.
• TV Globo reported a gradual system that promotes two schools from Série Ouro for 2028 and relegates one from the elite tier, reaching 15 by 2030.
• In parallel, the Superliga approved changes in lower divisions, moving three schools from Série Bronze to Série Prata and inviting additional groups into Prata and Bronze to feed the new ladder.