Commonly known as Maracana Stadium, the 60-year-old arena is regarded as ‘Brazil’s temple of soccer’.
The renovation, scheduled for December 2012 completion, includes a reduced capacity of the enclosure of the current 88,000 seats to 83,000 seats, as recommended by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
The field of view of spectators will be widened by demolishing a part of the stadium. Post renovation, the stadium will be able to accommodate 56,000 people. The renovation project will remove the upper deck of the stadium. Addition of more corporate boxes and extension of roof to cover all the fans are some other improvements. All the playing fields will remain open, with the seats extended closer to the field and four new exits added to the existing four.
The renovation will be finished before Brazil plays host to the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013. The new Maracana will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics. The authorities will finalise the date for a total closing of Maracana for a complete renovation of the enclosure.
Maracana Stadium was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup. After it was constructed, the Maracanã Stadium was the biggest stadium in the world. The structure is renowned for its imposing elliptical framework which is almost circular.
