On Tuesday, October 17, the world will witness the announcement of the champion samba school of the Special Group for Carnival 2026 in São Paulo. The top five schools will receive trophies, with the first three placements featuring distinct designs and materials. The trophies for fourth and fifth places share a similar design but differ in color.

The champion's trophy, the largest and heaviest, stands at approximately 1.5 meters tall and is crafted from bronze, resembling the iconic figure of Rei Momo. The second place trophy, also gold but lighter in material, measures around 1.10 meters, while the third place trophy has a silver finish and is roughly 1 meter tall. The trophies awarded for fourth and fifth place are made from plastic, both measuring about 1 meter in height, with the fourth place trophy having a darker bronze tint compared to the lighter shade of the fifth place trophy.

In case of ties, the criterion of "Fantasia" will be employed to break the deadlock, highlighting the importance of costumes in the competition. The first criterion that will be evaluated is "Evolução," marking the initial phase of the ranking process for the samba schools. This emphasis on materials used for the trophies underscores the competitive spirit and prestige that accompanies the samba school parade, reflecting the Brazilian cultural celebration at Carnival time.