# Rio de Janeiro samba school developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-samba-school-developments > Updated: 2026-09-05T00:51:57.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Developments regarding Rio de Janeiro samba schools have focused on leadership changes and infrastructure improvements ahead of the 2027 Carnival. In August 2026, leadership shifts were noted at Grande Rio, where influencer Virginia Fonseca announced her departure from the role of ‘rainha de bateria’ due to personal and business commitments. Simultaneously, the samba school Unidos da Tijuca denied rumors regarding financial demands for appointing a new ‘rainha de bateria’ and announced its 2027 theme will be based on the book ‘A Cabeça do Santo’ by Socorro Accioli. By September 2026, the municipal government of Rio de Janeiro began construction on a new Unidos da Tijuca headquarters in the Gamboa neighborhood. The R$11.3 million project aims to provide the school with a permanent 2,500-square-meter facility featuring rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, and community amenities, fulfilling a goal held by the school for nearly 30 years. This facility is expected to be completed by the first half of 2027 and will serve as a space for rehearsals, cultural events, and community activities. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Rio de Janeiro launches multiple urban and social infrastructure projects Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere has initiated multiple public works, including a new samba school facility, technological schools in Padre Miguel, and R$210 million in infrastructure for Complexo do Alem 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-begins-construction-on-new-unidos-da-tijuca-samba-school-headquarters ### 2026-08-21: Rio Carnival: Changes in samba school leadership roles Influencer Virginia Fonseca is stepping down as Grande Rio's 'rainha de bateria', while Unidos da Tijuca denies rumors of charging R$ 1 million for the role. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-carnival-changes-in-samba-school-leadership-roles --- Cite as: Rio de Janeiro samba school developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-samba-school-developments