Prospective judges submit resumes to Liesa, which evaluates them based on their expertise in relevant categories. This year saw a 50% renewal of the judging panel, increasing the total to 54.
Judges are sequestered in a hotel, surrendering electronic devices until after the event. They use a tablet with a detailed parade guide but no internet access. Transportation to the Sambadrome is via Liesa-provided buses, and judges are stationed in six cabins across four modules along the parade route.
Judges remain in their cabins throughout performances, with controlled breaks. They are provided with meals and non-alcoholic beverages. Communication is restricted to judges within the same module, and violations can lead to dismissal. If a judge falls ill, their scores are voided, and the highest score from other judges in that category is used.
Although there are 54 judges, only 36 scores are considered. A random selection eliminates two judges per category, and the lowest score is discarded during the final tally, leaving 27 scores to determine the winner.
