A landmark of the São Paulo Carnival, the Anhembi Sambadrome impresses with its architecture, scale, and little-known stories.
Submitted at Feb 16, 2026, 11:30 AM
(José Cordeiro/SPTuris/CASACOR)
Few places translate the grandeur of the São Paulo Carnival as well as the Anhembi Sambadrome. More than just a runway for parades, the space is a landmark of contemporary Brazilian architecture and a symbol of cultural power.
Below, we’ve gathered curiosities that reveal why the Sambadrome is also an important chapter in the history of urbanism and entertainment in the country.
The Anhembi Sambadrome was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, one of the greatest names in modern architecture worldwide. Inaugurated in 1991, the space carries the architect's trademarks: monumentality, expressive use of concrete, and curved lines that interact with the urban scale.
Just like the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome, also conceived by Niemeyer, the idea was to create a definitive "samba runway" — an architectural stage worthy of popular culture.
(Reprodução/CASACOR)
Although popularly known as the Anhembi Sambadrome, the official name of the space is Grande Otelo Cultural and Sports Center. The tribute is to the actor and comedian Grande Otelo, one of the greatest names in Brazilian cinema and culture.
The nickname "Sambadrome" prevailed due to the strength of the event that established it: the samba school parades.
The Anhembi Sambadrome can hold up to 103,200 people at its full capacity — a number that impresses when compared to the population of entire cities in the interior of São Paulo.
To give an idea of the scale, this audience is greater than or equivalent to the population of municipalities such as São João da Boa Vista, Amparo, Votuporanga, and Itatiba. In a single night of parade, the Sambadrome can gather the equivalent of an entire small/medium-sized city coming together to watch the spectacle.
(Prefeitura de São Paulo/SP/CASACOR)
Although it is the main stage for the samba school parades of São Paulo, the space also hosts shows, festivals, sporting events, and religious celebrations. Its linear configuration and permanent bleachers create a versatile arena, capable of adapting to different formats.
This multifunctionality is an interesting point from an architectural perspective: the project was planned to meet diverse demands, expanding the use of the urban facility throughout the year.
The runway is about 530 meters long, with fixed bleachers and boxes distributed along the route. On parade nights, the crowd transforms the space into a true ephemeral city — where scenography, lighting, costumes, and architecture interact intensely.
It is in this encounter between spectacle and concrete that the project gains strength: the monumental emptiness of the runway becomes a backdrop for grand visual narratives.
CASACOR Publisher is an agent creating exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.
