MARACANA,BRAZIL (WORLD CUP 2014)

Key facts

Clubs: CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC | Opening: 1950 | Capacity: 78,838 seats

History and description

Maracanã, officially called Estádio Mário Filho, was built to serve as the flagship venue for the 1950 World Cup. It was meant to become the biggest football stadium in the world.

Construction began in August 1948 and was completed almost two years later. Maracanã officially opened on the 16th of June 1950 with a friendly between a selection of players from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Eight days later, Maracanã hosted the opening match of the 1950 World Cup between Brazil and Mexico (4-0). It would go on to host four more matches in the first round group stage and a further three in the second round stage, among which the deciding final match between Uruguay and Brazil (2-1).

The official attendance of the final was about 173,000 paying spectators, but it is estimated that more than 200,000 witnessed the game live from the stands.

The stadium was officially renamed in 1966 following the death of Brazilian journalist Mário Filho, but most people have kept referring to the stadium as Maracanã.

Maracanã hardly changed until the 1990s when a deathly accident and resulting safety measures greatly reduced capacity. Shortly later it got converted into an all-seater.

When Brazil got awarded the 2014 World Cup in 2007, it was clear that Maracanã, which was destined to host the final, would need a massive redevelopment.

Building works started in 2010, and involved the complete rebuilding of the bottom tier and the installation of a new roof, with a capacity of 79,000 seats as a result. The stadium is set to reopen on the 2nd of June 2013 with a friendly international between Brazil and England.

Maracanã is scheduled to host a total of seven matches during the 2014 World Cup, including one quarter-final and the final. It will also host the final of the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Maracanã is owned by the state of Rio de Janeiro, but has grown to become the regular home of Flamengo and Fluminense. Other Rio clubs have also occasionally used the stadium, in particular for high-profile matches.