The São Paulo City Hall has decided to prohibit the registration of new carnival blocks for the upcoming pre and post-Carnival events in 2026. This decision is enforced to control overcrowding at carnival events within the city. However, the administration made an exception for the popular Bloco Skol, which is organized by DJ Calvin Harris, allowing it to proceed despite concerns over the anticipated superlotation which has previously been a significant issue. In a recent event, the block attracted a large crowd, prompting worries about safety and disorder.

According to the City Hall's Carnival Guidelines, new block registrations for the pre and post-Carnival periods will not be accepted in any city area. Any exceptions will be evaluated by the Special Commission for the Organization of the 2026 Carnival, which indicates a strict regulatory approach to managing the upcoming events. Despite these regulations, the decision to allow the Bloco Skol raises questions about the criteria used by the municipal administration in determining which blocks can proceed and those that must be halted.

Traditionally, the Sunday of the pre-Carnival is dedicated to the Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta block, which usually draws in over one million revelers. This year, however, the block had to share its usual space with Bloco Skol, highlighting the challenges of managing large crowds and the need for careful planning by city officials in balancing entertainment and safety during the carnival season. The lack of clarity from the municipal administration regarding the exception for Bloco Skol adds further complexity to the situation, and ongoing public and media scrutiny is likely to continue as these events approach.