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Why is the Maracanã Stadium a must-visit attraction?

If you love football, the Maracanã Stadium is more than a stop, it’s a pilgrimage. This is where Brazil’s love for the sport feels alive in the air. You can almost hear the chants of fans, the whistle of a referee echoing through history, and the collective gasp as legends like Pelé, Zico, Romário, and Neymar wrote their stories on this turf.

Visiting Maracanã gives you access to more than just seats and stands, it’s stepping into a living museum of football. You’ll see the original locker rooms where teams prepared for glory, the players’ tunnel that leads to the pitch, and the press rooms that once buzzed with post-match tension.

During non-match days, guided tours take you through every corner, the benches, the commentary boxes, and even the small museum where golden boots and historic jerseys remind you how this stadium helped shape football itself.

And if you’re lucky enough to visit during a CR Flamengo or Fluminense FC match, prepare for goosebumps. The atmosphere is electric, drums, chants, fireworks, and a sea of red, black, and tricolor jerseys moving like waves.

Did you know?

  • Maracanã hosted both the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, a feat achieved by no other stadium.
  • Pelé scored his 1000th career goal here in 1969.
  • The record attendance stands at 199,854 spectators during the 1950 Brazil vs Uruguay final, still one of the largest in football history.

Maracanã Stadium history and architecture

Brief history of Maracanã Stadium

The story of Maracanã begins in 1948, when Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Brazil needed a stadium worthy of its footballing dream, one that could hold nearly 200,000 fans. Built in just two years, Maracanã opened on June 16, 1950, with a match between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo state teams.

Just weeks later, it hosted the famous final between Brazil and Uruguay, known as the Maracanazo. The heartbreak of that defeat became a national memory, but it also cemented Maracanã’s place in football history.

Over the decades, it became a stage for greatness. Pelé’s 1000th goal in 1969. Zico’s magic in the 1980s. Romário’s brilliance. World Cup matches in 2014. The 2016 Olympic Games and the Copa América finals, all took place here.

Renovated several times, today’s Maracanã seats 78,000 spectators in comfort while preserving the roar and soul that made it legendary.

Who built Maracanã Stadium?

The stadium was designed by a team of Brazilian architects led by Miguel Feldman, Rafael Galvão, and Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos. Construction began in 1948 and finished in time for the 1950 World Cup. The design aimed to reflect Rio’s landscape, open, circular, and full of movement.

Architecture of Maracanã Stadium

Maracanã’s architecture reflects both ambition and artistry. Originally designed to hold 200,000 spectators, it was once the largest stadium in the world. Its elliptical concrete design offered perfect visibility from every seat, and the circular structure symbolized unity, a single heartbeat of fans around the pitch.

The 2010–2013 renovation, ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, gave Maracanã a modern edge. The roof was completely replaced with a lightweight membrane covering 95% of seats, improving acoustics and comfort. The seating was converted into an all-seater format, reducing capacity to 78,838 but enhancing safety and visibility.

Today, the Maracanã is one of the few stadiums in the world to combine historical architecture with modern sustainability standards, maintaining its UNESCO cultural heritage nomination.

Maracanã Stadium home teams

The Maracanã is home to two of Brazil’s biggest football clubs: CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC.

CR Flamengo

Founded in 1895, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is Brazil’s most popular football club with over 40 million fans. Known for its red-and-black stripes and fiery chants, Flamengo calls Maracanã its fortress. Every home game feels like a festival, drums, flares, and the sound of Mengão! echoing across the stands.

Fluminense FC

Established in 1902, Fluminense Football Club represents Rio’s traditional side of football. Their maroon, green, and white colors bring a touch of class and history to every matchday. When Flamengo and Fluminense face off in the Fla-Flu Derby, the Maracanã turns into a cauldron of color, rivalry, and unfiltered passion.

Frequently asked questions about Maracanã Stadium

When was Maracanã Stadium built?

Construction began in 1948 and the stadium opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup.

Who plays at Maracanã Stadium?

The stadium is home to CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC, two of Brazil’s most famous football clubs.

Can you visit Maracanã Stadium on non-match days?

Yes! You can book guided or self-guided tours that give you access to the stands, locker rooms, tunnel, and museum.

What is the capacity of Maracanã Stadium?

After renovation, Maracanã can seat up to 78,838 spectators.

What’s the best way to reach Maracanã Stadium?

You can take the metro to the Maracanã Station (Line 2, Green Line) or join a guided tour with hotel transfers.