In 2026, the Viradouro samba school clinched its fourth Rio de Janeiro carnival championship, scoring a remarkable 270 points. Initially, the Niterói-based school shared the top positions in the early categories of the judging process but took the lead solely after receiving outstanding scores in harmony, maintaining its position until the title was confirmed. Viradouro's performance stood out, as it garnered a total of 34 perfect scores of 10, while only two scores of 9.9 were considered but later discarded in line with the competition rules, which dictate that the lowest score from four jurors is eliminated.

The Beija-Flor school followed closely, earning the vice-championship with 33 scores of 10 and finishing just 0.1 point behind Viradouro in the overall ranking. Other notable schools included Vila Isabel, which received 31 scores of 10; Salgueiro with 29; Imperatriz with 26; and Mangueira with 20. In contrast, the Acadêmicos de Niterói school, which faced relegation, could only secure two perfect scores, illustrating a stark difference in performance among the samba schools.

This year’s carnival judging results not only reflect the high standards and competitive spirit of the participating schools but also highlight the exceptional achievements of the Viradouro, ensuring it remains a formidable contender in future carnivals. Such results can significantly influence the reputations and funding of these schools going forward, as performance in events like these provides essential recognition and support for the samba institutions in Brazil.