Events & Street Markets03/09/2026Redação São Paulo5 min readUpdated on 16/09/2026

Virada Esportiva 2026 in São Paulo: dates, where to find free activities, and how to join

Virada Esportiva 2026 will take place on September 19 and 20 with free activities across São Paulo. See where to check schedules and when registration may be required.

Festival esportivo ao ar livre em São Paulo, com basquete, patinação, corrida e ciclismo diante de ponte estaiada e banners da Virada Esportiva.

Virada Esportiva 2026 will take place in São Paulo on September 19 and 20, 2026. The official CEU network page lists a general activity window from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with all-age access and free programming. That time range is a general event reference: each arena, CEU, park, or activity may operate on its own schedule.

For anyone planning to attend, the practical rule is simple: check the official schedule for the chosen location before leaving. The City itself states that registration and participation will take place directly at CEUs and public spaces, according to the schedule set by each unit. Some attractions are open access; others, such as festivals or capacity-limited activities, may require registration.

When Virada Esportiva 2026 takes place

  • Dates: Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026.
  • General hours published for the CEU network: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Price: free programming.
  • Audience: community members and students, with all-age access on the general event page.
  • Where: across different parts of the city, at sports facilities, parks, CEUs, and other public spaces.

This information appears on the official Virada Esportiva page for the CEU network and in the announcement from São Paulo's Municipal Sports and Leisure Department.

Where to find free activities

The City announced thousands of free activities across all regions of São Paulo. To find a useful option near you, start with two official channels:

  1. CEU portal: the Virada page lets visitors filter the schedule by activity, CEU, and date. It is the best starting point for anyone who plans to attend at a unit in the municipal education network.
  2. Municipal Sports and Leisure Department (SEME): it publishes announcements about major arenas, parks, sports centers, and special Virada activations.

Because the program is distributed across many venues and may be detailed unit by unit, it is not safe to assume that every activity will be available on both days or throughout the full 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. window. Check the exact time and participation rules for the specific event.

Examples of activities by type and area

Activity profileAnnounced examplesWhere to look
Volleyball and court sportsVolleyball All-Star Game, volleyball festivals, badminton, tennis, table tennis, pickleball, and basketballPacaembu and SEME programming
Water sports and adventureBoat rides, banana boat, and bungee jumpCentro Esportivo Náutico Guarapiranga
Sand sportsBeach tennis and footvolleyParque Praia do Sol in the South Zone and Centro Esportivo Tiquatira in the East Zone
Extreme activitiesNINJA GAMES, rappelling, and a crane-based activityPraça Jardim Myrna
Martial arts and combat sportsFight ArenaCentro Esportivo Mané Garrincha
Children and familiesInflatables, skateboarding, slackline, dance, and children's performancesKids Arena at Parque do Carmo, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days
Running and cyclingNight ride, Super-Humans Race, Volta da Penha, and other activitiesDifferent parts of the city; confirm location and rules in the official schedule
Less familiar sportsFencing, rugby, beach golf, archery, climbing, and flag footballAvenida Paulista on Sunday, September 20

The list above brings together examples already announced by the City and does not replace the full program. New details may be published or adjusted through official channels before the event weekend.

How to participate: open access or registration?

Virada Esportiva is free, but free does not necessarily mean registration-free. The official CEU network guidance says registration and participation will take place directly at CEUs and other public spaces according to each unit's schedule.

One example of an activity with registration is the volleyball festival at Pacaembu: the City said teams will be able to register free of charge in different categories on Saturday and Sunday. Other activations are described as open to the public. Before traveling, confirm three points:

  • whether the activity requires advance registration or a ticket/token collected on site;
  • whether there are age limits, capacity limits, or specific participation requirements;
  • the exact time and meeting point inside the venue.

How to search by area without relying on one master list

Because Virada takes place at many locations, the most practical approach is to choose the area or venue first. On the CEU portal, use the activity, CEU, and date filters. Then open the unit page to check its address, contact details, and local schedule.

The schedule for CEU Três Pontes, for example, already lists field soccer, futsal, volleyball, adapted volleyball, water aerobics, futmesa, Brazilian dances, and aquatic activities, with their own times and target audiences. This format shows why checking the individual unit is more useful than assuming the same timetable applies citywide.

Highlights already confirmed

On Saturday, September 19, the Pacaembu program will feature a special opening from 10 a.m., with a Volleyball All-Star Game and volleyball festivals. The complex was also announced with track activities, walking, e-games, children's recreation, and dozens of mini-courts where visitors can try different sports.

On Sunday, September 20, Avenida Paulista will host activations by sports federations during the leisure period, including fencing, rugby, beach golf, archery, climbing, and flag football.

Checklist before leaving home

  • Open the official schedule the day before and again on the day of the event.
  • Confirm whether the activity is on Saturday, Sunday, or both days.
  • Check the time, address, and any registration requirement.
  • Check the age range, especially for children's activities, competitions, or extreme experiences.
  • For physical activities, wear suitable clothing and bring water; for outdoor activities, consider sun protection and the weather forecast.
  • If the page still does not provide the detail you need, contact the venue or use the City's 156 service channel.

What can still change

The City has already confirmed the dates, free access, and several highlights, but it also says the full schedule and additional information will be published through official channels. Because registration, hours, and activity availability vary by unit, treat early lists as a reference and make a final check before traveling.

For updates, use the official CEU schedule and the Municipal Sports and Leisure Department page.

Topics in this articleCEUsesporte gratuitoeventos gratuitoslazerSão PauloVirada Esportiva