Rio de Janeiro News Today in English, Updated Daily
Rio de Janeiro · News Hub
Updated 16 October 2026
Where Things Stand Today
Rio de Janeiro has a governor-elect, Douglas Ruas of the Liberal Party, after the electoral court voided votes for a rival and gave him a first-round win. The city is also getting ready for Carnival 2027 and a new operator at its main international airport.
- 8 and 10 October. Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) voted 5 to 2 on 8 October to void 274,411 votes for Anthony Garotinho. Rio’s regional court recounted on 10 October and put Douglas Ruas at 50.88% of valid votes, enough to win without a runoff, and runner-up Eduardo Paes withdrew after Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin refused to overturn the ruling.
- 6 October. Spain’s airport operator Aena took over management of Rio’s Galeão international airport. It won the auction on 30 March with a bid of R$2.9 billion (about US$570 million), and the concession runs to 2039.
- 13 October. General ticket sales opened for Rio Open 2027, a tennis tournament that runs from 13 to 21 February 2027 at the Jockey Club. Tickets cost from R$70 to R$990 (about US$14 to US$195).
- 5 to 9 February 2027. Carnival 2027 starts with the lower-division Série Ouro schools on 5 and 6 February. The top-division Special Group parades on 7, 8 and 9 February, and grandstand tickets cost R$250 (about US$49) a night.
Key Facts
- —What Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s second-largest city, with about 6.2 million people, and the capital of a state of about 16 million.
- —Latest Douglas Ruas of the Liberal Party won the first round in a recount on 10 October 2026 after the electoral court voided 274,411 votes for a rival.
- —Next Carnival 2027 parades run from 5 to 9 February, and the Rio Open tennis tournament follows from 13 to 21 February.
- —Why it matters in the US Rio is among Brazil’s best-known destinations for visitors from abroad, and Spain’s Aena now runs its main international airport.
- —Prediction markets Kalshi, a US exchange regulated by the CFTC, gives Ruas 99% in its Rio de Janeiro governor market (16 October 2026, 10:50 a.m. ET).
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- Rio Carnival 2027 Parade Schedule With Dates and Tickets 14 Oct 2026
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Rio de Janeiro Key Facts and Numbers
Conversions use 5.08 reais per US dollar, the market rate of 16 October 2026. Vote counts come from reports on the electoral court’s recount.
Rio de Janeiro Explained for Readers Outside Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is both a city and a state, and it was Brazil’s capital until 1960. The city sits between the Atlantic and steep green hills, with Copacabana beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue as its best-known sights.
The governor of the state serves a four-year term and takes office in early January. Rio’s samba schools, tourism and oil industry make the state one of Brazil’s most visible regions abroad.
The Carnival parades take place at the Sambódromo, a purpose-built avenue in the city centre. The top-division schools are organised by Liesa, the league of samba schools.
Who Is Involved
What Prediction Markets Say
- Kalshi, Rio de Janeiro governor: Douglas Ruas 99%, Eduardo Paes 1%, with about 19,500 contracts traded across candidates (16 October 2026, 10:50 a.m. ET).
- Context: the price matches the court ruling, since Ruas was confirmed in the first round. Kalshi is a US exchange regulated by the CFTC, the federal derivatives regulator.
Why we show this: prediction markets turn real-money bets into a live probability that moves within minutes of the news, which is why investors, campaigns and newsrooms in the United States now follow them closely. We show them next to polls and official results, never instead of them.
What to Watch
Rio’s voters take part in the presidential runoff on Sunday 25 October. Ruas takes office as governor on 6 January 2027.
Aena will set out its plans for Galeão in the coming months, and the first Carnival 2027 parades start on Friday 5 February. The Rio Open tournament starts on Saturday 13 February 2027.
What It Means for Readers in the United States
US visitors planning Carnival or the Rio Open should book early, since both events sell tickets months ahead. Galeão is Rio’s main international gateway, so Aena’s management will matter to travellers over time.
Investors in Brazilian assets also watch Rio’s politics. The state hosts the headquarters of Petrobras and much of Brazil’s offshore oil industry.
What Is Not Known
Ruas has not named a full cabinet, and Paes has not said what he will do next. The investment schedule that Aena will apply at Galeão is also unclear.
Ticket supply for Carnival 2027 can change as the dates approach. Check the official sellers for the latest availability.
More: Brazil news, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest news in Rio de Janeiro?
Douglas Ruas of the Liberal Party won the governor race in the first round after the electoral court voided votes for Anthony Garotinho. Aena also took over Galeão airport on 6 October.
Who won the Rio de Janeiro governor election?
Douglas Ruas won in the first round with 50.88% of valid votes after the electoral court voided 274,411 votes for Anthony Garotinho. Runner-up Eduardo Paes withdrew his challenge after the Supreme Court refused his appeal.
When is Rio Carnival 2027?
The Special Group schools parade on 7, 8 and 9 February 2027, and the Série Ouro schools parade on 5 and 6 February. The Champions’ Parade is on Saturday 13 February.
How much do Rio Carnival 2027 tickets cost?
Tickets for the main grandstands cost R$250 (about US$49) a night, and half-price tickets cost R$125. They are sold through Ticketmaster.
Who runs Rio’s Galeão airport?
Aena, a Spanish airport operator, took over management on 6 October 2026. Its concession runs to 2039.
When is the Rio Open 2027 tennis tournament?
The Rio Open runs from 13 to 21 February 2027 at the Jockey Club. General ticket sales opened on 13 October 2026.
Sources: Jornal Opção: Ruas elected governor · Diário do Comércio: Paes gives up after STF denial · Mercado & Consumo: Aena takes over Galeão · Poder360: Carnival 2027 tickets · Rio Open 2027 expansion (Lance)
Read more: Rio’s governor race explained · Rio Carnival 2027 dates and tickets · What to do in Rio in October · Galeão airport and Aena · Brazil news today · All Rio de Janeiro news
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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