Description

Essentials about the Maracanã Stadium in brief

It is probably the most famous soccer temple in the world: the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. When it was completed in 1950, it was the largest soccer stadium in the world with a capacity of almost 200,000 spectators. After numerous modernizations, its capacity today is around 75,000. Maracanã Stadium is part of the Complexo Esportivo do Maracanã (Maracanã Sports Complex), which also includes the Maracanãzinho multipurpose hall and the Parque Aquático Júlio Delamare swimming stadium. If you want to experience an absolutely unique event, you should get tickets for a soccer match at the Maracanã. Those who prefer to visit the stadium in a quieter atmosphere can do so on a guided tour.

The history of the Maracanã Stadium

Officially, the Maracanã Stadium is called “Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho” after the journalist Mário Filho, who in the 1940s was very involved in ensuring that the main stadium for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil was built relatively close to the city center in the Maracanã district. Plans for the stadium were drawn up by seven Brazilian architects (Miguel Feldman, Waldir Ramos, Raffael Galvão, Oscar Valdetaro, Orlando Azevedo, Antônio Dias, Pedro Carneiro and Paulo Bastos Bernardes). Work on the stadium began in 1948 and lasted a total of two years.

The most famous match in its history was played at the Maracanã on July 16, 1950, between Brazil and Uruguay. It was the last match of the World Cup in Brazil and the favored Brazilians surprisingly lost 1-2 and thus missed the World Cup title that was already thought to be safe. To this day, this game is a kind of national trauma for the Brazilians. How many spectators were in the stadium at the time is still unclear. Some estimates put the number at over 200,000.

From a German perspective, of course, the World Cup final on July 13, 2014 against Argentina will always be remembered when Mario Götze headed home André Schürrle’s cross in injury time to secure the title for Germany. At that time, however, there were no more than 75,000 spectators in the stadium – a consequence of a tragic event in 1992. On July 19, 1992, a stand of the Maracanã Stadium collapsed, killing three spectators and injuring about 50. As a result, the stadium capacity was greatly reduced, including the complete removal of all standing room. In 1998, the Maracanã was classified as a national landmark, so it may not be demolished.

Music concerts in the Maracanã Stadium

When soccer is not being played in the Maracanã, the stadium is also used for music concerts. Rock and pop giants such as Bon Jovi, KISS, The Rolling Stones and Madonna have performed in the legendary stadium and even Pope John Paul II held a mass here in 1980.

Soccer matches and guided tours in the Maracanã Stadium

If you want to experience an absolutely unique event, you should not miss watching a soccer match at the Maracanã. The atmosphere at a Flamengo or Fluminese home game is simply incomparable. If you prefer to experience the stadium in a quieter atmosphere, you can do so on a guided tour. You can visit the changing rooms, take a look at the players’ warm-up areas and, at the end of the tour, step onto the pitch and even sit on one of the benches. The tour is rounded off with lots of personal memorabilia from legendary Brazilian players such as Pelé, Garrincha and Zico.

Website

tourmaracana.com.br

Opening hours

Opening hours box office for guided tours:

Admission fees

Admission fees guided tours:

Adults: R$75

Concessions: R$37.50

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Metro line L2: Stop Maracanã

Bus lines 222, 239, 455, 456, 464, 609, 622, 638, 665 and 711: Stops Rua Professor Euríco Rabêlo próximo ao 68-70 and Rua Professor Euríco Rabêlo próximo ao 182-220

Bus lines 222, 232, 247, 249, 254, 306, 341, 346, 353, 363, 368, 390, 428A, 434, 435, 436, 455, 456, 457, 464, 609, 622, 627 629, 630, 638, 703D, 711, 725D, 1703D, 2110, 2111, 2114 and 2251: Stop Avenida Manoel de Abreu próximo ao 2251

Bus lines 402, 428A, 464, 487L, 502B, 703D, 725D and 1703D: Stop Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco próximo ao 6007

Bus lines 218, 222, 238, 239, 432, 433, 439, 455, 456, 464, 605, 609, 638, 665 and 711: Stop Avenida Maracanã próximo ao 198-240

Bus lines 232, 237, 249, 254, 306, 341, 346, 353, 363, 368, 390, 391, 434, 435, 436, 457, 2110, 2111, 2114 and 2251: Stop Avenida Maracanã próximo ao 329

By car:

In the immediate vicinity of the Maracanã Stadium there are only limited parking possibilities.