all groups take part in the competition, however, only the grupo especial and série a take part in the sambadrome parade, while the schools part of the grupo rio parade in other parts of town.

19 schools in série a parade on the friday and saturday of carnival, and the 12 samba schools of the grupo especial show their talent in the sambódromo on sunday and monday night - the scores given by the judges are counted up live on television on ash wednesday following carnival.