Brazil Stadiums: Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Estádio do Maracanã, Rio
Estadio do Maracanã officially called Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho is Brazil's most famous and iconic football stadium.
Located in the Maracanã district of Rio de Janeiro, it now serves as the home ground of both Flamengo and Fluminense. The stadium currently holds around 78,838 spectators, making it the largest stadium in Brazil. It hosted the final of the 2014 World Cup and games at the 2016 Olympics.
Capacity & History
Maracanã was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil hosted. Construction began in 1948, and the stadium opened on 16 June 1950.
The official name honors Brazilian journalist Mário Filho, but the stadium is universally known by its nickname "Maracanã," derived from the nearby Maracanã River.
One of football's most famous matches occurred here during the final stage of the 1950 World Cup. Brazil needed only a draw against Uruguay to lift the trophy, but Uruguay won 2–1 in front of a crowd estimated at nearly 200,000 spectators. This match became known as the Maracanazo, one of the most dramatic moments in football history.
The stadium has undergone major renovations over the decades, especially for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics. During these renovations, the stadium was modernized with individual seats, improved safety systems, and upgraded accessibility.
The stadium's attendance record occurred in 1977, when 138,032 fans watched Corinthians defeat Ponte Preta.
Over time, safety regulations and the addition of seats reduced capacity to about 72,000 today.
Maracanã has undergone several renovations since the 1990s to modernize facilities and improve safety.
The ground hosted matches of the Copa América 2019 (including the opening match) and is a popular venue in Brazil for large concerts. Oasis, AC/DC and Linkin Park have all played here in recent years.
There are also tours of the stadium available for visitors. Tours typically include the museum and a visit to the locker rooms, press room, and a walk through the tunnel to the pitch.
Flamengo
Nicknamed 'Fla', Flamengo, along with São Paulo, is one of the only clubs never relegated from Brazil's top division and is the nation's most popular team, boasting over 46.9 million supporters - around 21.9% of Brazil's football fan base..
Founded in 1895 in the Flamengo neighborhood as a rowing club, the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo organization did not play its first official football match until 1912. The team's traditional kit consists of red-and-black striped shirts, white shorts, and red-and-black striped socks.
Some famous players to have represented the club include Zico who is considered Fla's greatest ever player, Romário, who went on to have great success with Barcelona in Europe, Leandro, one of Brazil's best right-backs, Zizinho, a legendary forward with 145 goals and Leonidas da Silva another prolific striker with 153 goals.
Others who have worn the colors include Adriano (19 games on loan in 2008), Vinícius Júnior who started his career at Flamengo before moving to Real Madrid, Ronaldinho who played for the club between 2011-2012 and Filipe Luís, the accomplished left-back who returned from Europe to finish his career at the club.
Júnior and Leonardo Moura are the club's all time record appearance holders.
Over the course of his career at Flamengo, Zico scored an amazing 508 goals, becoming the club's all-time top scorer before retiring in 1990.
Fluminense
Fluminense were founded in 1902 and are one of the oldest and most traditional clubs in Brazilian football. The team is popularly nicknamed "Tricolor" due to its distinctive green, white, and maroon colors, and supporters are often called "Tricolores."
Throughout its history, Fluminense has been home to many notable players, including Carlos Alberto Torres, Romário (who also played for Fla earlier in his career), and Rivelino, all of whom made significant contributions to the club and Brazilian football.
Other names known to a wider audience in Europe include Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Fred (Frederico Chaves Guedes), who scored 199 goals for the club, Ronaldinho (just 7 games in 2015 before retiring), and Deco.
Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel is the world record holder for most competitive appearances in men's football, a milestone he reached while playing for Fluminense. He broke the record by making 1,391 career appearances, surpassing Peter Shilton's recognized tally of 1,390. Most of his career appearances were made at Cruzeiro (976), in addition to time at Vasco da Gama, Uniao Bandeirante, and Fluminense. Another keeper Carlos José Castilho holds the record for Flu alone - 699 appearances.
Fla-Flu Derby
The Fla-Flu derby (short for Flamengo v Fluminense) is one of the biggest and most intense, historic soccer rivalries in Brazil, representing a clash between Rio de Janeiro's most popular club (Flamengo) and the traditional, historic club (Fluminense).
Matche at the Maracanã Stadium, are famous for huge crowds, including the world record for a club match attendance of 194,603 in 1963.
The rivalry began in 1911 when a group of Fluminense players left to join Flamengo, establishing a bitter "brother-against-brother" rivalry. Known as "O Clássico das Multidões" (The Derby of the Multitudes) in terms of emotional impact, it is the premier derby in Rio.
The match is a staple of Carioca identity, often highlighting the contrast between the popular Flamengo and the traditionally elite-rooted Fluminense.
The 1963 Campeonato Carioca final drew a record 194,603 spectators, the largest attendance for a football match in history.
Coined by journalist Mário Filho, the term "Fla-Flu" is synonymous with dramatic, high-stakes, "beautiful" football.
Access
The stadium is located in the Maracanã neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, north of the city center, close to universities, parks, and some major transport connections.
The easiest way to reach the stadium is via the Rio de Janeiro Metro. Take Line 2, exit at Maracanã Station, then a 5–10 minute walk. Commuter trains operated by SuperVia also stop at Maracanã Station, which sits close to the stadium.
Many city buses travel along the main roads surrounding the stadium, including Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco.
Address: Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portão 3 Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Accessibility
Maracanã Stadium was upgraded significantly to meet international accessibility standards, especially for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. The stadium provides designated wheelchair seating areas; companion seating next to wheelchair spaces; ramps and elevators throughout the stadium. There are also adapted restrooms on multiple levels and elevators connecting stadium tiers.
Hotels in Brazil
Find Hotels in Rio
Accommodation options reasonably close to the stadium include the 3-star Saionara Hotel, the Gallant Hotel, and the Hotel Xanadu (2 stars; adults only).
See a selection of available hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
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