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Club: SC Internacional | Opening: 1969 | Capacity: 47,100 seats
History and description
Estádio Beira-Rio officially opened on the 6th of April 1969 with a friendly against Benfica (2-1). Construction of the stadium had started a decade earlier following a period of successes of Internacional, which had resulted in their Estádio dos Eucaliptos becoming too small.
In 1956, the city of Porto Alegre had donated the club a site in the river Guaíba, which it first had to drain before they could start construction. Building works started in 1959, but due to a lack of finances Internacional heavily relied on fans contributing the bricks, cement, and iron works. As a result, works progressed very slowly and it took a decade for construction to complete.
Estádio Beira-Rio, soon after its opening nicknamed O Gigante, hardly changed over the next decades. It was only when it got chosen as one of the playing venues of the 2014 World Cup that an extensive redevelopment was announced.
The redevelopment includes the demolition and reconstruction of the lower tier of the stadium, and the construction of a new exterior and roof.
Works started in December 2012, but got soon plagued by financing issues and consequent delays. Works are currently expected to be completed in December 2013.
During the 2014 World Cup, Estádio Beira-Rio is set to host four group matches and one round of 16 match.
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