Maracanã, officially Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, holds a singular place in Brazil's sporting memory. Located in the Tijuca neighbourhood, north of Rio de Janeiro, it has hosted some of the most memorable matches of the twentieth century and remains a pilgrimage site for football enthusiasts from around the world.

Why visit Maracanã

More than an arena, Maracanã embodies the history of a sport elevated to the status of national heritage. Behind-the-scenes tours reveal the sheer scale of the stadium, its role in two World Cups (1950 and 2014), and why in Rio, football is experienced as much in the stands as on the beaches. For those interested in Brazilian culture, it's a natural complement to visits to the Corcovado or the historic centre.

Stadium history

Designed in the 1940s for the 1950 World Cup hosted by Brazil, Maracanã was conceived on an unprecedented scale: its original capacity exceeded 150,000 spectators, making it the world's largest stadium at the time. It was inaugurated in 1950, just weeks before the decisive World Cup match, where Brazil lost to Uruguay before nearly 200,000 people — a collective trauma that remained etched in national memory as the Maracanazo.

In 1966, the arena was renamed Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho in tribute to the sports journalist who championed its construction. Over the decades, safety standards evolved: in the 1990s, standing room disappeared and capacity fell below 80,000 spectators. Major renovations were undertaken for the 2014 World Cup; the stadium reopened in 2013 with a Brazil-England match, then hosted Brazil's victory over Spain in the 2013 Confederations Cup final. In 2021, discussions were opened to rename the stadium in Pelé's honour, though this has not been formally concluded to date.

What to see on your visit

The guided tour, available outside match days, provides access to several areas normally closed to the public:

• The changing rooms used by the national team and Rio-based clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, where players like Pelé and Zico prepared for matches.
• The players' tunnel, leading directly to the pitch edge.
• The pitch side, from which you can truly grasp the stadium's scale and the slope of the stands.
• The press conference room, used after every official match.
• The permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of Brazilian football: kits, trophies, photographs and memorabilia from major competitions.

Practical information

Tours are organised daily during daytime hours, but schedules are modified or cancelled on match days when Brazil, Flamengo or Fluminense are playing. It is strongly advisable to check the sporting calendar and official website before visiting. Allow approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour for the guided tour.

Admission charges remain moderate, with discounts for young people, seniors and children, and a choice between guided and self-guided tours. The stadium is fully accessible to people with mobility impairments (lifts, ramps, adapted seating, adapted toilets). Guide dogs are admitted with required documentation. Certain items are prohibited at the entrance: weapons, noise-making instruments, professional camera equipment, suitcases and large bags; water bottles are however permitted in hot weather.

How to get there

The stadium is approximately 15 minutes from Rio de Janeiro's city centre by public transport.

• By metro: line 2 serves Maracanã station directly, accessible from the centre, Botafogo or Flamengo via a connection.
• By train: the SuperVia network also stops at Maracanã station, useful from the north side and suburbs.
• By bus: several routes connect Rio's main neighbourhoods to the stadium.
• By taxi or ride-hailing: a practical option in the evening or on match days, when public transport is congested.

What to see nearby

Maracanã can be integrated into a day's exploration of Rio de Janeiro. To the west, Christ the Redeemer overlooks the bay from the summit of Corcovado. The neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa, situated between Tijuca and the historic centre, complement the visit well with their staircases, bars and colonial architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Preparing your trip

Maracanã can be integrated into a wider stay combining culture, nature and colonial towns. To explore further, consult our circuit ideas for Brazil.