Even vs. Odd Sectors determines best Subway Stop
For optimal pre-planning you can map your route to the Sambódromo by your seating sector.

EVEN NUMBERED SECTORS
If the relevant sector is 2, 4 or 6, there are the following options:

Taxi – pre-determined taxi companies serve the even sectors and there is plenty of information about them during carnival. There is a tariff to leave the Sambódromo and the taximeter or an agreement with the passenger settles the journey to the Sambódromo.

Subway – it goes uninterruptedly everyday to 11 pm of Tuesday, the last day of carnival, at 10 minute intervals during the night. The getting off stop is always Praça Onze station, no matter where from. Once outside the station, turn twice to your right and then walk straight ahead to Sector 2. For
Sectors 4 and 6, turn on Rua Carmo Neto and walk on to Av. Salvador de Sá. The Sambódromo can soon be seen and several signs show the entrance to the sectors.

ODD NUMBERED SECTORS
As for sectors 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, the options are:

Taxi – special companies serve the odd numbered sectors as well, with fixed tariff. In any case, ordinary taxicabs take passengers to the Sambódromo charging what the taximeter shows or what has been agreed upon. For those who come from zona sul, the best route is through Santa Bárbara tunnel, and for those from zona norte via Rua Itapiru. In both cases the taxicab must go over Viaduto São Sebastião, which runs parallel to the Sambódromo. Right away the signs to the entrances of the different sectors can be seen. Remember to ask to cost in advance or be subject to special event pricing. There are two taxi companies which have arranged for curbside service to your own sector.
Even-numbered sectors
Coopatur - Tel: 2573-1009 / 2560-1009
Odd-numbered sectors
Coopertramo - Tel: 2560-2022/2560-1474

Subway – either from zona norte or zona sul, the getting off stop is Central. From there, walk to the Sambódromo, a long stretch of approximately 700 meters, going past the schools’ allegorical cars and the Terreirão do Samba.

Bus – coming from zona sul or zona norte, it is important to make sure that the bus is going over Viaduto São Sebastião, as many lines change the itinerary during carnival.

During the parade there is not a good way to get from one side of the stadium to the other so plan accordingly.

WHAT TO TAKE
At most two 500ml plastic containers with beverages and two items of food, such as fruit and/or sandwich. Objects made of polystyrene, bottles, glasses, firecrackers and fireworks are strictly forbidden. A discardable raincoat should be considered for the eventuality of a summer shower. Umbrellas are frowned upon as they interfere with other people’s view of the parade.
At the Sambódromo there are shops and fast food kiosks in all sectors.

CAMERAS: You can take any type of still camera or normal video cameras however professional video cameras are not allowed. While there is excellent security inside the sambodromo, until you are safe in you seat it is best to not attract attention with expensive equipment since this is a very crowded area and outside the security is another matter.

DAYBREAK: There are 12 samba schools from the 'special group' to perform. The first night, Sunday , 6 of these schools perform at the Sambodromo - Samba Parade Ground . Each of them has from 70 to 85 minutes to perform, and the parade finishes at the 'Praça da Apoteose' ,the M shaped structure at the end of the avenue. Even with the reduction in 2008 to 12 samba school, or 6 on each night instead of 7, it is not unusual for the final school to parade at daybreak. This has apparently served the most winning school of the millennium well thus far as they are generally the last school to perform and while their fireworks are not as impressive there is something intangible about the sunrise that may be making a difference. Some people will arrive on the late side for this reason, sp the venue stays packed well pas midnight. 
 

Seat Options

BOXES Camarotes
(mezzanine boxes)
The most coveted position where the celebrities wearing Brahma beer T-shirts are photographed. Each box has a total of twelve seats, and they can be joined in multiples of twelve.
Private spaces rentable for the whole festivities, including the Champions’ Saturday, subdivided in:
Special Boxes – Four buildings between sectors 3, 5, 7 and 9 holding up to 20 spectators in A Boxes and 18 in B Boxes, in a total of 40 boxes holding up to 760 spectators.
Boxes in sectors 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 4 – 24 boxes per sector, in a total of 144 boxes holding up to 1,728 spectators.
Boxes in Sector 2 – Three stories containing boxes A, B and C, each box holding 12 spectators. the three stories adding to a total of 292 boxes for 3,504 spectators.
Daily capacity of boxes – 5,992 spectators

DRESS CIRCLE
Uncovered boxes with walls and chairs for six occupants each, in sectors 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 4, in a total of 1,088 holding up to 6,528 spectators. These rows of "frisas" are open boxes, each set of 6 has a small table. They are as close to the runway as it gets.

CHAIRS
4,220 chairs are placed on steps in sectors 6 and 13. Of these, 285 are for paraplegics and 240 for their escorts.

Arquibancadas
aka Grandstands or bleachers
TIERS OF SEATS
There aren't actual chairs to sit on - the bleachers are not much more than big concrete steps. Uncovered spaces up to 15,80 m high, reached by stairs.
Sectors 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11, each sitting 2,900 spectators, with the exception of Sector 9 whose numbered seats hold up to 2,306 spectators, in a total of 16,804 spectators.  Standard bleachers do not have numbered seats EXCEPT for the VIP bleachers of Sectors 9 and 11

POPULAR TIERS OF SEATS
the most reasonably priced seats
Sector 1 – in the area where the schools organize themselves for the parade; Sectors 6 and 13 – at Praça da Apoteose from where the end of the parade can be seen. Sector 1 holds up to 6,500 spectators and Sectors 6 and 13 up to 9,600 each, in a total of 25,700 spectators.

"harmony, grace and elegance are the adjectives that are most appropriate to describe the work of Oscar Niemeyer more

Niteroi Museum also designed by Oscar Niemeyer

The Sambadrome was designed by world famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. It ends at the Apotheosis Square, that is crowned by a large M in concrete. (The Sambodromo M and the M's in the Carnaval logo are merely chance.) Marques de Sapucaí was the street chosen by Vice-Governor Darcy Ribeiro and its connection with the samba predates this stucture as Praça XI is recognized as the birthplace of the Brazilian beat. The structure was officially named Passarela do Samba Darcy Ribeiro which may have to do with the fact that the street Marques de Sapucaí was chosen by Vice-Governor Darcy Ribeiro for the structure which was inaugurated on March 2, 1984.

The structure is  700 meters in length with a capacity for 88,500 people. It is made from pieces of pre-cast concrete. Building entirely with pre-fabricated materials, it took the Sambadrome only 4 months to be built.

MUSEUM: There is a small carnival museum at the Sambódromo which is located downtown on Rua Marques de Sapucai.

The Museum is free of charge and is open from 11 to 5 Tuesday to Sunday. The entrance is on Rua Frei Caneca. The staff is bilingual and quite informative.

Sector 9 tends to be used primarily by tourists who leave after 3 or 4 samba schools. While its nice to not worry about losing your seat since this and Sector 11 are the only bleacher section with numbered seats you will not get the full experience of being lifted up by the crowd surrounding you cheering the parade.