• City: Rio de Janeiro
• Capacity:76,804
• Year Built:1950
• Average June Temperature:22C (celsius)
The showpiece venue for the 2014 World Cup, the famous Maracana will provide the setting for the final on July 13 where the finest players of their generation will look to write another chapter into the stadium’s remarkable history.
In a city that boasts the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Rio carnival, the Maracana comfortably holds its own as one of Brazil’s most iconic tourist attractions and is visited by thousands of football fans each year.
The venue played host to one of the most memorable and dramatic matches ever played – the final of the 1950 World Cup, where Uruguay shocked hosts Brazil 2-1 in front of just short of 200,000 spectators.
It was built for that tournament, and has since become one of the most legendary grounds in the world.
Officially named after journalist Mario Filho, but better known as the Maracana, the venue has undergone an extensive refurbishment to update it in time for this year’s global gathering, although organisers have been keen to avoid tampering too much with its iconic design, with the original facade officially listed as an artistic and historical heritage landmark.
The Maracana will host seven matches in total, including the 2014 final – more than any other stadium. Click below for a view of the stadium courtesy Google Map
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