Mocidade Alegre won the São Paulo Carnival 2026 with 269.8 points, claiming its 13th title in a tight point-by-point tally at the Anhembi Sambódromo. The school paid tribute to actress Léa Garcia through its enredo 'Malunga Léa – Rapsódia de uma Deusa Negra'. Rosas de Ouro and Águia de Ouro were relegated to the Access Group.
The tallying of scores for the Special Group of the São Paulo Carnival took place on the afternoon of February 17, 2026, at the Anhembi Sambódromo, crowning Mocidade Alegre as champion with 269.8 points. The school edged out Gaviões da Fiel, runner-up with 269.7 points, by just one tenth, while Dragões da Real placed third with 269.6 points. The enredo 'Malunga Léa – Rapsódia de uma Deusa Negra' honored actress Léa Garcia (1933-2023), highlighting her pioneering roles such as Rosa in Escrava Isaura (1976) and her Cannes nomination for Orfeu Negro (1959), which won the Oscar for best international film in 1960.
The victory resonated with celebrities including Fred Nicácio, Thelma Assis, and João Luiz, who celebrated on social media after participating in the parade. The samba-enredo was composed by Aquiles da Vila, Fabiano Sorriso, and others, featuring lines like 'Laroyê! Bate três vezes… Ê mojubá! A Deusa Negra é ela!'.
Rosas de Ouro, the 2025 champion, finished with 268.4 points and was relegated due to a 0.5-point penalty for late submission of documents to the Liga das Escolas de Samba, due by 11:59 p.m. on February 9. The school received low marks in samba-enredo (29.8 points) and bateria (29.8 points), despite its enredo 'Escrito nas Estrelas', which depicted the universe from creation onward. Águia de Ouro, with 268.2 points, also dropped to the Access Group, scoring low in alegorias (29 points) and evolução (29.5 points). Vai-Vai avoided relegation by two tenths.
Schools such as Acadêmicos do Tatuapé and Barroca Zona Sul will join Gaviões da Fiel and Dragões da Real in the Desfile das Campeãs. Mancha Verde, with 269.4 points, tied with Pérola Negra for promotion but lost the tiebreaker and remained in the Access Group. Independente Tricolor placed fourth with 269.3 points but lost 1.2 points for using a forklift after issues with its opening float. Camisa 12, with 268.5 points, was relegated to Access Group 2.
