Maracanã Stadium Stadium

Address: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho), Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Website: https://www.maracana.com/

Hours: Public visiting hours/tour times vary - check the official site

Admission: Stadium tours and museum access are ticketed (prices vary by tour)

Officially Estadio Jornalista Mário Filho and commonly called the Maracanã, this large stadium sits in the Maracanã neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro and is one of Brazil’s most famous sports venues. It opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup and has since undergone several major renovations to modernise facilities and seating.

The stadium’s bowl has hosted historic international matches, domestic finals and large-scale ceremonies, and it now operates with a reduced seating capacity of around 78,000 following upgrades. Facilities include corporate boxes, modern spectator amenities, and a museum and tour that interpret the venue’s sporting history.

Located within the Maracanã district, the stadium is adjacent to rail and metro stations named for the venue and is integrated into the city’s transport network for match days and events.

• Capacity: Current spectator capacity is approximately 78,000 following renovations to meet modern safety and comfort standards.
• Historic events: Originally opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup, it has hosted key matches including the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals and served as a venue for football matches and ceremonies during the 2016 Olympics.

What to See#

• Tour and museum: Guided stadium tours and a small museum area that present the ground’s history, trophies and archival displays from major matches and events.
• Pitch and stands: The playing pitch and tiered seating bowl configured to contemporary safety and sightline standards after major renovations completed for recent international events.

Maracanã Stadium is served by Maracanã station (Metrô Line 2) and by the SuperVia commuter trains - get off at Maracanã and follow pedestrian routes to the stadium (typically a 5-10 minute walk depending on the exit). The stadium is also well signed for match days.

By road the stadium lies north of central Rio; it’s roughly 6-8 km from the Centro area and is commonly reached by taxi or car along Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco and surrounding avenues (traffic can vary widely on event days).

• Use the Maracanã metro station for the most direct access and allow extra time on matchdays for heavy pedestrian traffic and security checks.
• If you're interested in the stadium but not attending a match, book an official stadium tour in advance and avoid matchdays-tours are often suspended or limited on game days.
• Don't miss the on-site museum and the opportunity for pitch-side photos during the tour; those areas are commonly overlooked by people who only see the exterior.