|
The Estdio do Maracan, officially Estdio Jornalista Mrio Filho, is an open-air stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, it is named after the Maracan neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. It was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup, and in the final game Brazil was beaten 2-1 by Uruguay. Since then, it has mainly been used for football matches between the major football clubs in Rio de Janeiro, including Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama. It has also hosted a number of concerts and other sporting events. Although the paid attendance at the final game of the 1950 FIFA World Cup was 199,854, the stadium currently seats 82,238 spectators. It was the main venue of the 2007 Pan American Games, hosting the football final, and the opening and closing ceremonies.
Over time, however, the stadium also has become a multi-character space to receive other events such as shows and games from other sports, such as volleyball. After several works of modernization, the current capacity of the stadium is 82,238 spectators, making it the largest stadium in Brazil and South America.
The construction of Maracana was criticized by Carlos Lacerda, then Congressman and political enemy of the mayor of the city, general Angelo Mendes de Morais, for the expense and also due to the chosen location for the stadium, arguing that it was built in Jacarepagua. Still, supported by journalist Mario Rodrigues Filho Mendes de Morais, the project went forward. In the chosen field, stood an arena for the horse race.
|
