Corte Real 2026: premiere of the qualifiers brings together history, show and much samba

February is still far from the calendar, but you can already feel the climate of Carnaval in the air, thanks to the beginning of the Royal Court Contest of the Carnaval 2026. On Thursday (09), the first groups, with eight candidates for King and 22 for Queen presented for the first time, where five postulants the king and ten queen were classified for the semifinal, which happens on Friday (17/10).

After a draw that defined the order of 102 registered, began the most anticipated moment: qualifiers. Divided into two groups, the candidates for King and Queen showed charisma, sympathy and much samba in the foot before the public and the judges.

The first night was the presence of the carnivalesco Milton Cunha, artistic director of the Court, and presentation of Wilson Neto (King Momo of 2022) and Bianca Monteiro Portela's drum queen. They were classified for the semifinal, marked for Friday, October 17th, the candidates for King Anderson Matheus (7), Danilo Vieira (2), Dferson Mendes (6), Pablo Jales (3) and Lucas Eduardo (8). Among the candidates for the Queen, they continue in the dispute Ana Luiza Carneiro (8), Flávia Ribeiro (20), Giulia Pascoal (1), Jessica Almeida (9), Juliana Reis (17), Lalih Branco (19), Lorrany Motta (3), Luana Fernandes (2), Samara Trinity (13) and Thays Busson (22).

The event, starting at 19h and free entry, brought together an animated audience that vibrated at each presentation. A Juror stand was composed of weight names, such as the dancers Cinthia Camillo and Chagas, the singer Dorine, the former flag carrier Babi Cruz and Nilce Fran, wing coordinator and vice president of Portela. The president of Riotur also participated Bernardo Fellows, the Vice-President Luis Monsores and the Director of Operations Flavius Teixeira.

Besides the contest, the night had special shows. The group A Amo, made up of four women who join Carnaval instruments to popular music, opened the programming. Next, the Vidour raised the public with its historical sambas, and the closure was on account of the Rio Samba Show, which celebrated the joy of the Rio carnaval with great classics.

The night also paid tribute to the writer Lygia Santos, reference in the preservation of samba roots. Daughter of the Pioneer Donga Lygia worked at the Municipal Secretariat of Culture, FUNARJ and the Museum of Image and Sound. She was also the author of important works on samba, juror of Gold Standard And a parade commentator. Lygia died on June 1, 2025, at the age of 91.

Follow the live transmission the competition for Riotur channel on YouTube! The first night was a success with 2,737 views!

Check out the calendar of the Royal Cut Contest Carnaval:

Day 09/10 – First Elimination Phase (King and Queen)
Day 10/10 – Second Elimination Phase (King and Queen)
Day 16/10 – Semifinal LGBT+ (Museum, Muse and Non-Binary Person)
Day 17/10 – Semifinal (King and Queen)
Day 23/10 – Final LGBT+ (Museum, Muse and Non-Binary Person)
Day 24/10 – Final (King and Queen)

Check out the programme of tributes and full shows:

Day 09/10 (Lygia Santos) – A Amô, Viradouro and Rio Samba Show
Day 10/10 (Márcia Lage) – Samba da Alvorada, Portela e Mocidade, Rio Samba Show and Samba da Volta
Day 16/10 (Maria Augusta) – Sapagode, Grande Rio, Rio Samba Show and Karoline Absyntho
Day 17/10 (Rosa Magalhães) – Prose Lady, Willow, Terreiro de Creoulo and Rio Samba Show
Day 23/10 (Black Gil) – Samba They Want, Empress, Maime of the Brightness, Karina Karão and Sambay
Day 24/10 (Arlindo Cruz, Bira Presidente, Gilsinho da Portela and previous honored) – Quintal da Magia, Beija-Flor and Arlindinho

Service:

Carnaval Royal Cut Competition 2026
Dates: 09/10
Timetable: 19h
Location: R. Rivadavia Corrêa, 60 – Santo Cristo (Cidade do Samba)
Best way to get there: VLT – Line 1 (Santos Dumont x Terminal Gentleza). Just land at station Cidade do Samba/Tia Ciata
Free entry

Service

• Address: R. Rivadavia Corrêa, 60 — Santo Cristo, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20220-290