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).
Prediction markets · who wins the runoff
Implied chance of winning Brazil’s presidency on 25 October, from traders’ prices.
Polymarket
Flávio Bolsonaro 76.2% · Lula 23.5% (US$185 million traded)
Kalshi (regulated in the US by the CFTC)
Flávio Bolsonaro 78% · Lula 24%
As of 16 October, 10:40 am ET (15:40 Lisbon), updated every 20 minutes. Prices are bets, not polls, and can move fast.
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.
Latest Rio de Janeiro News
- Rio Open 2027 Plays Rio de Janeiro 13 to 21 February 16 Oct 2026
- Brazil’s Rio Seeks Federal Troops for Runoff 16 Oct 2026
- BK’ Plays Rio’s Maracanã on 16 January 2027 14 Oct 2026
- Rio Carnival 2027 Parade Schedule With Dates and Tickets 14 Oct 2026
- Brazil’s Rio Airport Plans More US Flights 14 Oct 2026
- Rio Police Friendly Fire Kills Bope Officer, Hurts 5 12 Oct 2026
- Brazil’s Rio Film Festival Hands Recife Drama 5 Awards 12 Oct 2026
- Brazil’s Rio Confirms Ruas as Governor With 50.88% 11 Oct 2026
- Brazil’s Rio Airport Passes to Spain’s Aena for US$580M 7 Oct 2026
- Rio Carnival and the Wealth That Cannot Be Kept 6 Oct 2026
Rio de Janeiro Key Facts and Numbers
Governor-elect
Douglas Ruas
Liberal Party. 50.88% of valid votes in the recount after the court voided Garotinho’s ballots.
Votes before the ruling
4,271,199
Ruas, against 3,706,984 for Eduardo Paes and 274,411 for Anthony Garotinho.
Galeão airport
Aena to 2039
R$2.9 billion (about US$570 million) bid. Aena now runs 18 Brazilian airports.
Carnival 2027
5 to 9 February
Série Ouro on 5 and 6 February, Special Group on 7, 8 and 9 February, Champions’ Parade on 13 February.
Carnival tickets
R$250 a night
About US$49, or R$125 for half-price tickets. Sold through Ticketmaster.
Rio Open 2027
13 to 21 February
Main court grows from 6,200 to 9,500 seats.
City population
About 6.2 million
State of Rio de Janeiro: about 16 million.
Exchange rate
5.08 reais
Per US dollar, market rate of 16 October 2026.
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
Governor-elect
Douglas Ruas
Liberal Party, declared the first-round winner in the 10 October recount.
Runner-up
Eduardo Paes
Ended his challenge after the Supreme Court refused to overturn the electoral court.
Disqualified candidate
Anthony Garotinho
Former governor whose 274,411 votes were voided.
Electoral courts
TSE and TRE-RJ
The national court voided the votes, and the regional court confirmed the result in Rio.
Airport operator
Aena
Spanish airport group that took over Galeão on 6 October 2026.
Carnival organiser
Liesa
League that runs the Special Group parades at the Sambódromo.
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.
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