In a recent decision by the League RJ, harmony has been established as the first tiebreaker criterion for evaluating the samba schools participating in the Gold Series. This reflects the importance of musical and choreographic cohesion in samba parades, which are a vital part of Brazilian culture and carnival festivities. The announcement was made during a draw held on Thursday, where the order of evaluation criteria was also revealed.

The victory in this competition is significant as the winning school from the 16 that participated will earn a spot in next year's prestigious Special Group, while the two schools finishing in the lowest positions will regress to the Silver Series carnival in 2027. This setup highlights the competitive nature of samba schools and the stakes involved in maintaining or advancing their ranks in the carnival hierarchy.

The evaluation process will take place at the Novotel hotel, with real-time updates provided by g1. The criteria for scoring are laid out in a structured order that emphasizes various aspects of the performance, with harmony being prioritized at the end. This decision showcases the evolving standards and expectations for samba parades, fueling anticipation among schools and fans alike for this year's carnival spectacle.