The Maracanã is the temple of Brazilian football. Its official name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, after the journalist who championed its construction; the nickname comes from the neighborhood and the Maracanã River, an Indigenous name for a bird resembling a small macaw.
It opened in June 1950 for the World Cup and, on July 16, hosted the decisive match: in front of some 200,000 people, Uruguay beat Brazil 2–1, with goals from Schiaffino and Ghiggia, when a draw would have been enough for the hosts. The defeat, known as the “Maracanazo”, left a lasting mark on the country’s football memory.
More historic chapters followed. On November 19, 1969, Pelé scored his 1,000th goal there, a penalty against Vasco. The stadium was rebuilt for the 2014 World Cup, whose final — Germany 1–0 Argentina — was played on its pitch, and it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Today the Maracanã holds about 78,000 people and is home to Flamengo and Fluminense, who play the Fla-Flu there, one of Brazil’s most traditional derbies. Watching a match with the stands singing is an experience that goes far beyond football.
On non-match days, the guided tour takes you behind the scenes, to places like the locker rooms, and down to pitch level while telling the stadium’s story. Outside, the Calçada da Fama (Walk of Fame) displays the footprints of great stars who played there.
Tips: buy tickets only through the clubs’ official channels and avoid touts. On match days, arrive early, avoid wearing the rival team’s shirt in the wrong section, and come and go by ride-hailing app. Big derbies like the Fla-Flu tend to sell out — get tickets early.
Official website: Tour Maracanã ↗