In Brazil, a football stadium is almost never just a venue for a match. It is often a monument, a city symbol, sometimes even an entire piece of the country's history. If you dream of attending a match in Brazil one day, here are the stadiums that (in our opinion!) are worth a visit.
1. Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro)
The Maracanã is Brazil's most legendary stadium. Located in Rio de Janeiro, it hosts the biggest clashes of Flamengo and Fluminense. Inaugurated in 1950, it can now accommodate 78,838 spectators, making it still the largest stadium in the country.
⭐ The absolute temple of Brazilian football
The Maracanã alone carries a part of world football's memory. It was here that the famous Maracanazo of 1950 took place, when Uruguay beat Brazil in the decisive World Cup match, and it was also on this pitch that the 2014 World Cup final was played.
2. Mineirão (Belo Horizonte)
The Mineirão is one of the great symbols of Brazilian football in Belo Horizonte. It mainly hosts the big matches of Cruzeiro and remains one of the major football venues in Minas Gerais. Inaugurated in 1965, it has a capacity of 62,000 seats in its current configuration.
⚡ The stadium of the unforgettable 7-1
Completely modernized for the 2013 Confederations Cup and then the 2014 World Cup, the Mineirão took on a more contemporary look without losing its monumental dimension. But it will forever be associated with a catastrophic evening for the football nation. It was here that the Brazil-Germany semi-final (1-7) was played, one of the most traumatic matches in the history of modern football.
3. MorumBIS (São Paulo)
The MorumBIS, formerly Morumbi, is the home of São Paulo FC. Located in the Paulista megalopolis, it can accommodate 67,052 spectators. Its construction dates back to 1960, making it a historic Brazilian stadium still in operation.
🏟️ The brutalist giant of São Paulo
The MorumBIS is first distinguished by its impressive architecture. Originally designed by Vilanova Artigas, it has become one of the most remarkable works of Brazilian football, with its famous 72 "Y"-shaped columns that give it a unique silhouette. It is a massive, imposing stadium that retains something solemn even on non-match days.
4. Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre)
The Beira-Rio is the stadium of Internacional in Porto Alegre. Founded in 1969, it can accommodate 50,848 spectators. Deeply modernized to meet international standards, it remains one of the great football theaters in southern Brazil.
🌊 The most elegant stadium in southern Brazil
The charm of the Beira-Rio comes first from its location. The stadium is located on the banks of the Guaíba, in one of the most emblematic settings of Porto Alegre, and the club itself recalls that it was built on water thanks to the commitment of its torcida. The Beira-Rio also hosted five matches of the 2014 World Cup, confirming its status as a great showcase for Brazilian football.
5. Ligga Arena (Curitiba)
The Ligga Arena, historically known as Arena da Baixada, is the stadium of Athletico Paranaense. It has a capacity of 42,372 seats. Its history began in 1913, although the current venue is the result of a profound transformation that has made it one of the most modern stadiums on the continent.
🚀 Brazil's most futuristic stadium
The Ligga Arena claims a truly special status in the Brazilian landscape. The club presents it as Brazil's first arena, and above all as the only football stadium in Latin America equipped with a retractable roof. With its synthetic pitch, compact structure, and more enclosed atmosphere, it gives a much more modern and immersive feel than the majority of the country's large historic venues.
💡 How to see a football match in Brazil?
Are you traveling to Brazil and dreaming of attending a match? The experience is often more accessible than you might think, provided you go through the right channels and don't leave it until the last minute.
In practice, tickets are now purchased via the official platforms of clubs or stadiums. In many large Brazilian structures, facial biometrics has become mandatory or almost essential for buying a ticket and accessing the stadium. The easiest way is therefore to create your account in advance, complete the required registration, and then book directly on the official website of the club concerned.