10 interesting facts about Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro

The stadium’s official name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, named after a sports journalist who campaigned for its construction. The nickname 'Maracanã' comes from the nearby Maracanã River, which itself was named after a local bird known for its loud call, a fitting tribute to the roar of Brazilian fans.

At its peak in 1950, Maracanã’s capacity soared past 199,854 spectators during the FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay. That match remains one of the largest attendances ever recorded for a sporting event. Post-renovations have reduced its official capacity to around 78,838, still the biggest in Brazil.

That same 1950 final ended in heartbreak for Brazil. Uruguay’s shock 2–1 victory in front of nearly 200,000 fans became known as the Maracanazo, meaning 'The Blow of Maracanã.' Many Brazilians describe it as one of the country’s most painful national moments, a defeat that shaped Brazil’s football identity for decades.

Maracanã is one of the few stadiums worldwide to have hosted two FIFA World Cup finals, in 1950 and again in 2014. From Ghiggia’s decisive goal in 1950 to Mario Götze’s extra-time winner for Germany in 2014, the stadium has been home to defining football moments across generations.

On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th career goal at Maracanã while playing for Santos against Vasco da Gama. The match was stopped for 20 minutes as fans flooded the pitch to celebrate. The ball and Pelé’s shirt from that night are preserved in Maracanã’s museum.

Before FIFA’s safety regulations, Maracanã’s original design featured vast standing terraces known as geral, where fans paid a few cents to stand and watch. Though removed in later renovations, this section was a symbol of the people’s game, where working-class fans stood shoulder to shoulder, singing and drumming through the 90 minutes.

A little-known fact: a section of the upper stand collapsed during a Vasco da Gama vs. Flamengo match in 1992, killing three fans and injuring over 50. The Maracanã tragedy led to Brazil adopting stricter construction and safety regulations across all major stadiums, reshaping how football infrastructure was built nationwide.

Few visitors realize that beneath Maracanã’s stands lies a Hall of Fame celebrating Brazilian football legends, from Pelé and Garrincha to Romário and Zico. Visitors on guided tours can see signed jerseys, Golden Boot awards, and footprints of the country’s greatest players immortalized in cement.

While football is its heart, Maracanã has hosted concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Paul McCartney, and even Frank Sinatra. It was also a major venue for the 2016 Rio Olympics, staging the opening and closing ceremonies, moments where sport and culture merged in true Brazilian style.

The stadium underwent massive renovations ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Seating was redesigned for comfort, the roof was rebuilt with lightweight material imported from Germany, and the museum expanded. Despite modern updates, the aura of old Maracanã, that echo of history, still lingers in every chant.