in 1997 the official name of the stadium became passarela professor darcy ribeiro, in honor of the former brazilian minister of education and cultural secretary - however, the venue continues to be popularly known as the sambódromo, or just sapucaí.  

in 2012, after rio de janeiro won the bid for the 2016 summer olympics and paralympics, the sambódromo was renovated.

the space was extended in line with niemeyer's original designs for a symmetrical structure, which originally could not be carried out due to a land dispute with a nearby factory.

700 meters long, and with seating for 72500 people, this new structure has since hosted all of the main carnival parades.