Estádio do Maracanã facts for kids
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Full name | Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho |
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Location | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Coordinates | 22°54′43.80″S 43°13′48.59″W / 22.9121667°S 43.2301639°W |
Owner | State of Rio de Janeiro |
Operator | Complexo Maracanã Entretenimento S.A. (Odebrecht, IMX, AEG) |
Capacity | 78,838 |
Record attendance | 199,854 (Brazil–Uruguay, July 16, 1950) |
Field size | 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | August 2, 1948 |
Opened | June 16, 1950 |
Renovated | 2000, 2006, 2013 |
Architect | Waldir Ramos Raphael Galvão Miguel Feldman Oscar Valdetaro Pedro Paulo B. Bastos Orlando Azevedo Antônio Dias Carneiro |
Tenants | |
1950 FIFA World Cup 2007 Pan American Games 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 2014 FIFA World Cup 2016 Summer Olympics 2016 Summer Paralympics Fluminense FC CR Flamengo |
The Estádio do Maracanã (also known as Maracanã Stadium) is a super famous sports stadium. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This huge stadium is known all over the world. It can hold about 78,838 people today. It used to be even bigger, holding almost 200,000 fans!
Contents
History of the Maracanã
The Maracanã Stadium was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Brazil was hosting the World Cup that year. Construction started on August 2, 1948. The stadium opened its doors on June 16, 1950. It was a very important project for Brazil.
Original Design and Size
When it first opened, the Maracanã was one of the biggest stadiums ever built. It was designed to hold a massive number of fans. The final match of the 1950 World Cup saw a record attendance. Almost 200,000 people watched Brazil play Uruguay. This makes it one of the most attended football matches in history.
Modern Updates and Changes
Over the years, the stadium has been updated many times. It was renovated in 2000, 2006, and 2013. These updates made it more modern and safer for fans. The seating capacity was changed to meet new safety rules. This is why it now holds fewer people than it did in 1950.
Major Events Hosted
The Maracanã Stadium has hosted many huge sports events. It is a very important place for Brazilian sports. It has seen some of the most exciting moments in sports history.
FIFA World Cups
The stadium hosted matches for two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- 1950 FIFA World Cup: This was the first major event held at the Maracanã. It hosted the final match.
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: The stadium also hosted the final match of the 2014 World Cup. This made it one of only two stadiums to host two World Cup finals.
Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Maracanã was a key venue for the 2016 Summer Olympics. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. These ceremonies are big, colorful shows. They celebrate the start and end of the Games. The stadium also hosted events for the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Other Important Events
Besides the World Cups and Olympics, the Maracanã has hosted other big events.
- 2007 Pan American Games: It was used for the opening ceremony of these games.
- 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup: This was a warm-up tournament before the 2014 World Cup.
Home to Famous Football Clubs
The Maracanã is also the home stadium for two famous Brazilian football clubs.
These teams play many of their matches here. The stadium is a very important part of their history.
Images for kids
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Postage stamp featuring the Maracanã, commemorating the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
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Panorama from inside the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup
See also
In Spanish: Estadio de Maracaná para niños