During this year's 2026 Carnival Gold Series results announcement, three samba schools from Rio de Janeiro—Unidos do Jacarezinho, Unidos de Bangu, and União de Maricá—were penalized for failing to adhere to competition regulations. The penalties were read aloud by announcer Robson Mendanha before the judges' scores were revealed, highlighting the schools' need to comply with strict performance standards in samba parades.

Unidos do Jacarezinho faced the most significant penalty, losing a total of 0.8 points. They incurred penalties for issues related to the 'baianas' section of their performance, as well as for exceeding their allowed parade time by two minutes, totaling an 8-decimal point loss. Similarly, Unidos de Bangu lost 0.1 points for exceeding their parade time by one minute, while União de Maricá was docked 0.2 points for a similar violation of parade timing.

These penalties serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of adherence to regulations in competitive settings like the Carnival in Rio, showcasing the high stakes involved for the samba schools. With 15 schools competing in the Gold Series, the impact of these penalties could potentially influence the overall rankings and participation in future events, making it essential for schools to meet both performance and time requirements during their presentations.