After two days of Carnival parades, Bauru, São Paulo, will announce the champion samba school for 2026 on Wednesday, February 18, starting at 3 PM. The results will take place at the ‘Carlos Fernandes de Paiva’ Cultural Center, located at Avenida Nações Unidas. The event will see a panel of 18 judges evaluate the performances of the samba schools based on nine specific criteria ranging from musicality to costumes and overall thematic representation.

The judging panel will consist of two judges for each of the nine criteria, which include Bateria (drumming), Harmonia (harmony), Samba-enredo (theme music), and others. Additionally, the evaluation will extend to street blocks with a separate judging panel of ten, examining five categories specific to these groups. This detailed scrutiny aims to ensure that each samba school and bloc’s unique contributions to the parades are recognized.

Furthermore, to facilitate the event logistics, the area in front of the theater will be closed off starting at 1 PM for the safety and ease of the participants as they prepare for the results announcement. The Carnival festivities in Bauru exemplify the city's vibrant culture and communal spirit, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Carnival season.