the samba parade is a highly professional event governed by tradition, and because of this the competition follows a strict set of rules that are laid down by the liga independente das escolas de samba do rio de janeiro (liesa).

samba schools are ranked into a number of divisions, including the special group and access groups a, b, c, and d - all groups take part in the competition, however only the special group and access groups a take part in the sambódromo parade.