SALVADOR,BRAZIL (WORLD CUP 2014)

Key facts

Clubs: EC Bahia | Opening: 2013 | Capacity: 53,700 seats

History and description

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova was built to serve as one of the playing venues of the 2014 World Cup. It replaced the old Estádio Fonte Nova, which had stood at the same place.

The new arena got designed to resemble the old one with one of the ends left open to provide for a view over the adjacent lake.

Estádio Fonte Nova got demolished in 2010 and construction of the new stadium took about two-and-a-half years. It got completed in early 2013 and officially opened on the 5th of April 2013. The first match, a friendly between local rivals Bahia and Vitória, was played two days later.

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova has been selected to host six matches at the 2014 World Cup, including one round of 16 match and a quarter-final. It will also be one of the six playing venues of the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Arena Fonte Nova holds a total of 2,100 premium seats and a further 1,200 seats in 70 VIP boxes.