• City:Brasilia
• Capacity:68,009
• Year Built:2012
• Average June Temperature:18C (celsius)
Fully titled the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha – named after the Brazilian football icon and double World Cup winner – the 68,009-capacity stadium is situated in Brasilia, the nation’s federal capital. The new sustainable structure was built in 2012, two years after the old Estadio Nacional was almost completely demolished, and represents one of the most architecturally stunning of all the 2014 World Cup venues.
Apparently inspired by the work of Oscar Niemeyer, one of the country’s most celebrated architects whose influence is felt throughout the city of Brasilia, the stadium features 288 pillars that hold up the roof as well as a lowered pitch to create unobstructed views.
Estadio Nacional will host seven matches in total, including the hosts’ final group match against Cameroon before a second-round tie and a potential quarter-final match featuring one of the tournament favourites, Argentina. It will also host the tournament’s penultimate match – the dreaded third-place play-off. The venue was used for the opening match of the 2013 Confederations Cup – Brazil’s victory over Japan in which player of the tournament Neymar scored in a 3-0 win – and it will also host Olympic football in 2016.
It ranks as one of the country’s most modern venues but that cutting edge came at a high price, reportedly costing more than 1 billion Brazilian real (£250million), far exceeding the original 688million (£172million) budget. Click below for a view of the stadium, courtesy of Google Maps.
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