We Speak Events

Rio Carnival 2026 Breaks the Bank: Viradouro Takes the Crown as a Record Party Sweeps Brazil

Published

8 months ago

February 21, 2026

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival ran its official programme from Friday 13 February to Wednesday 18 February 2026, and the Sambódromo Marquês de Sapucaí delivered a champion with a flawless scorecard. The elite Special Group samba schools paraded on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 15, 16 and 17 February, and when the scores were counted on Ash Wednesday, Unidos do Viradouro stood on top with a perfect 270 points — ahead of Beija-Flor and Unidos de Vila Isabel, tied on 269.9, and Salgueiro on 269.7. The top six schools returned for the Champions’ Parade on Saturday 21 February.

Viradouro’s winning theme, “Para cima, Ciça!”, honoured its drum master Mestre Ciça — Moacyr da Silva Pinto — marking 70 years of life and his status as the longest-serving active mestre de bateria. The victory was the school’s fourth Special Group title and its first since 2024.

The numbers behind the confetti were just as emphatic. The city’s official “Carnaval de Dados” study, released by the municipal Secretariat for Economic Development, Casa Civil and Riotur, estimated the economic impact on Rio at €1.06 billion, with the city welcoming approximately 8 million people, including 2 million tourists — an 8.2 per cent increase on 2025 — and hotel occupancy hitting 98 per cent. Riotur put Rio’s impact at more than R$5.7 billion across 462 registered street blocos.

Nationwide, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism, citing National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) data, projected more than 65 million participants — up 22 per cent on 2025 — and an estimated US$3.6 billion injected into the national economy, the strongest February performance since records began in 2011. Tourism Minister Gustavo Feliciano called it “one of the largest and best Carnivals in history.” Embratur and the Ministry of Tourism counted 300,000 foreign visitors for Carnival 2026, up 17 per cent on 2025, generating around US$186 million, with Rio alone drawing roughly 110,000 of them.

The machine is already turning toward next year: Rio Carnival 2027 is set for 5–10 February 2027, with the Champions’ Parade on 13 February.

We Speak Cars & Racing

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias Brings His Classic VW Buses to LA Auto Show Industry Day

Published

2 days ago

October 23, 2026

Royal Jones

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias standing beside a classic Volkswagen bus from his personal collection

The LA Auto Show is adding some serious star power to Industry Day. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will showcase five hand-selected classic Volkswagen buses from his famous personal collection at AutoMobility LA, the show’s industry and media day, on Thursday, November 19, and he will host meet-and-greets with attendees.

If you know Fluffy, you know the buses are no gimmick. Iglesias is one of the most devoted Volkswagen collectors in entertainment: his collection runs to nearly 30 classic buses, valued at around $3 million, and lives in a garage he calls the Fluffy Museum. It all started with his first car, a VW bus, and the obsession never left. He recently walked Ford CEO Jim Farley through the collection and the stories behind it on Ford’s DRIVE podcast.

For anyone who somehow missed him: Iglesias is one of the most successful stand-up comedians on the planet. His Netflix specials, including I’m Sorry for What I Said When I Was Hungry and Stadium Fluffy, made him the first comedian to sell out Dodger Stadium. He starred in the Netflix sitcom Mr. Iglesias and has voiced characters in Coco, Ferdinand and The Book of Life. A Fluffy appearance at an auto show is exactly where entertainment and car culture meet.

Industry Day will have plenty more on the floor. Attendees can see vehicles including the Chevy Silverado, the Rivian R2 and the Nissan Rogue, and get behind the wheel at Camp Jeep and Bronco Mountain, with test rides and drives running through the day.

The LA Auto Show says more entertainment news is coming soon, and media registration for Industry Day credentials is now open. We Speak Media will be following every announcement.