Football in another five capital cities

From 3 to 20 August 2016, 58 matches will be held, taking into account the male and female tournaments. Games will be held in seven stadiums in six different cities, Belo Horizonte (Mineirão), Brasilia (National Mané Garrincha Stadium), Manaus (Amazonia Arena), Rio de Janeiro (Maracanã and Engenhão), Salvador (Fonte Nova Arena) and São Paulo (Corinthians Arena). Read more about each of the stadiums that will host the thrills of Olympic football.

Belo Horizonte – Mineirão Stadium

Officially opened in 1965, the Mineirão underwent a comprehensive renovation and modernisation to play host to three matches at the Confederations Cup in 2013 and another six 2014 FIFA World Cup matches. Since being reopened in December 2012, the stadium has hosted several matches of the local league. In addition, it was the stage where Cruzeiro was crowned Brazilian champion twice (2013 and 2014) and where Atletico-MG won the Libertadores Cup title (2013) and the Brazil Cup (2014). At the World Cup, the Mineirão was the stage of great goals, scored by players like Lionel Messi. However, the stadium will always be remembered as the stage of Brazil's 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-final.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 62,160 places
Status: in full operation

Brasília – National Mané Garrincha Stadium

The stadium was completely demolished so that a monumental arena could be built in its place. The façade has 288 thirty-six metre high pillars that draws one’s attention to Brasilia's landscape.  After being officially opened in 2013, over 70 thousand fans took to the stands for the opening match of the Confederations Cup that same year. The stadium was also the stage of seven 2014 FIFA World Cup matches.  After the World Cup, the stadium’s multi-purpose features were put to the test: in addition to football matches, the venue was the stage of concerts - from Beyoncé to Paul McCartney -a race, a futsal game and even a community wedding.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 72,788 places
Status: in full operation

Salvador – Fonte Nova Arena

If the goal is to watch a high scoring match, the Fonte Nova Arena is the right place to go. The new stadium was built in the same place where the old Fonte Nova Arena stood. In fact, when it was reopened, the stadium was the stage of a 5-1 thrashing by Vitória over Bahia in a local derby. Two months later, another high scoring derby: another Vitória victory over Bahia, a convincing 7-3. It was a sign of the high scoring matches to follow, for example, out of the six 2014 World Cup matches that took place at the Fonte Nova Arena, the following three stand out: Holland 5-1 Spain, France 5-2 Switzerland and Germany 4-0 Portugal.  The stadium was also the stage of three Confederations Cup matches in 2013 and is also a source of weekly thrills for locals.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 50,000 places
Status: in full operation

São Paulo – Corinthians Arena

São Paulo’s East Zone was never the same again after the Corinthians Arena was built. On 12 June 2014, the whole world watched the World Cup opening match when Brazil beat Croatia. Another five World Cup matches were held in São Paulo, with runners-up Argentina taking to the pitch.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 48,000 places
Status: in full operation

Manaus - Amazonia Arena

The stadium stands out for its architecture, which pays homage to local culture portraying an indigenous basket in its external façade. The varied seat colours were inspired in different types of fruit from the region. Officially opened in March 2014, the stadium was the stage of four World Cup matches, including the international derby where Italy beat England 2-1. In addition to acting as a venue for local teams like Nacional and Fast, the stadium has also hosted matches with big Brazilian clubs.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 44,480 places
Status: in full operation

Rio de Janeiro - Maracanã

In addition to hosting two very eagerly awaited moments of the Olympic Games - the opening and closing ceremony -, the mythic stadium will once again feature as world football stage in 2016. After renovation and modernisation work, the new Maracanã played host to three Confederations Cup matches in 2013, including the final when Brazil beat Spain. At the World Cup, football fans were able to watch seven great games, like the grand final between Germany and Argentina, which the Germans won.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football
Sports at the Paralympic Games: there will be no competition at this arena
Capacity: 78,600 places
Status: in full operation

Rio de Janeiro - Engenhão

Built as a venue for the athletics and football competitions of the 2007 Pan American Games, the stadium had its name changed to Nilton Santos in 2015, as a way of paying homage to Botafogo's and Brazil's former full-back. Known as Engenhão, as a result of being located in the Engenho de Dentro neighbourhood, the stadium had already been included in the programme as the venue that would host the athletics events at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  It has also been confirmed as a football venue during the event.  Under lease to Botafogo until 2027, Engenhão has already been the stage of several football matches, including a Brazil match during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 0-0 with Bolivia. The stadium has also been the stage of events and concerts, like Paul McCartney and Roger Waters.

Sports at the Olympic Games: football, athletics
Sports at the Paralympic Games: athletics
Capacity: 60,000 places (15,000 temporaries)
Status: in operation