Maracana Stadium
- Address: Rua Professor Eurico Rabelo, Rio de Janeiro
- Hours: Museum open daily 9am - 5pm, except on game days. Closed for renovations until 2012
- Admission: Museum: R$3. Check ticket booth for seat prices on game days
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Popular with Locals,
Sporting Event,
Stadium
The gigantic Maracanã Stadium was built to open the 1950 World Cup. It holds the record for the largest attendance at a World cup final as 199,854 paying spectators crammed into the stadium and many more besides.
If you’re after the intense Brazilian football experience complete with the drums, flares, and chanting, then get to a game; otherwise the sports museum inside the stadium with photographs, cups, and Pele’s famous no. 10 jersey is a more sedate experience (enter at Gate 18).
Its official name is 'Mário Filho Stadium' but it's called 'Maracanã' after the small river that runs alongside. In the 1990s it was modified to become an all-seated stadium and now holds under 100,000.
The four main teams of the city play here and it will host the opening of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies. It is being renovated for these events (scheduled to reopen in 2012) and will finally hold around 103,000 spectators.
Latest Reviews
Review by Patrizia MG A, November 2012
Doing what: Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match
Everything went smoothly. Jose gave us a little background on the way to the game (useful for someone like me who doesn't follow soccer.
Review by Kristen K, April 2012
Doing what: Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match
This trip was very well organized and a good size group for a soccer match with a great guide. The pre-game drink with the locals seemed like you were really enjoying it as the locals do not just part of some tour group!
Review by Chad G, November 2011
Doing what: Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match
Easy pick up at hotel in Copacabana. Fun ride to stadium for Botafogo vs. Vasco. Tour guide was informative and personable. They do play a game where you can put $10R in the pot, and some of this goes to the driver and guide, but they do not pressure you to play.
We arrived at the stadium about an hour before the match. The guide showed us to our seats and where to meet after the match. It was raining when we left, but our guide came out in the rain to help round us all up and gets us back to the bus.
We were picked up last, so we were dropped off last, but it didn't take that long, and in a way it provided a bus tour of Impanema, Leblon, and Copacabana.
I would certainly use this tour again if we ever make it back to Rio. 5-stars.
Practical Info
The metro will take you to Estacio Maracanã where it is only a short walk to the stadium. At night a taxi might be a safer option. It’s a good idea not to wear your football colors on public transportation.
