Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro: 71,159 seats, originally built as the flagship venue for the 1950 World Cup Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro: 71,159 seats, originally built as the flagship venue for the 1950 World Cup
For the 32 teams playing the 64 matches that make up the 2014 World Cup tournament, Brazil and FIFA have prepared 12 match venues stretching across the vast country. Have a look at each here, from the inside out.
Maracanã was constructed to become the 'biggest football stadium in the world'Arena Corinthians, Sao Paolo: 68,000 seats, built for the 2014 World CupArena Corinthians opened on 18 May 2014, following a fatal crane collapse that delayed constructionMineirão, Belo Horizonte: 64,000 seats, built in 1965Mineirão was renovated and refurbished for three years ahead of the 2014 World CupEstádio Nacional de Brasília, Brasilia: 71,412 seats, built for the 2014 World CupThe design of Estádio Nacional de Brasília was inspired by the works of Brazilian architect Oscar NiemeyerArena Castelão, Fortaleza: 63,903 seats, opened in 1973Workers constructed a new roof for Arena Castelão ahead of the 2014 World CupArena Fonte Nova, Salvador: 53,700 seats, built for the 2014 World CupArena Fonte Nova replaces a demolished stadium of the same name and features views of a nearby lake
Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre: 50,000 seats, opened in 1969Estádio Beira-Rio was originally built using donated supplies and took over a decade to constructItaipava Arena Pernambuco, Recife: 46,000 seats, built for the 2014 World CupItaipava Arena Pernambuco, financed by a public-private partnership, cost €180 millionArena da Amazônia, Manaus: 44,500 seats, built for the 2014 World CupThe shape of Arena da Amazônia is meant to resemble a traditional indigenous basketArena Pantanal, Cuiabá: 41,390 seats, built for the 2014 World CupBuilt to emphasize sustainability, Arena Pantenal features plants and trees in its four corner areas.Arena das Dunas, Natal: 43,000 seats, built for the 2014 World CupThe design of Arena das Dunas was inspired by Natal's famous sand dunesArena da Baixada, Curitiba: 41,456 seats, opened in 1999Upon its construction, Arena da Baixada was considered one of Latin America's most modern stadiums.
