Visit the Maracanã Stadium in Rio: tickets, prices, schedules

To live behind the scenes of the biggest football matches, don't miss the visit of the legendary Maracaña stadium in Rio de Janeiro!

The legendary stadium Jornalista Mario Filho , that we know more under the name Maracanã Stadium in Rio, is one of the mythical and historical places of the round balloon. Legendary player Pelé scored his thousandth goal in 1969. He is one of the largest stadiums in the world, hosting international sport and music events.

If you're travelling to Brazil, there's a good chance you're going through Rio de Janeiro. Passionate.e.s de football, then try to attend a match at the Maracanã stadium and don’t miss his guided tour. You will discover the backstage of the biggest games, the jerseys of your favorite players and the unique feeling of entering the huge lawn...

Find here all the practical information to make the most of your visit to the Maracanã Stadium!

History of the Maracanã Stadium in Rio

Inaugurated on June 16, 1950 for the World Cup this same year, the famous stadium has since been used by the great clubs of Rio de Janeiro: Flamengo and Fluminense. Since its inception, it has also hosted major World Cup games in 2014, the 2013 Confederation Cup games, and more recently, the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2019 Copa America. The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner or Coldplay also produced in concert.

Originally, the stadium has more than 220,000 places, which makes it the largest stadium in the world at its birth. In 1990, the place lost its title following a few modernization works that reduced its capacity. Nostalgia is short-lived, since a few years later, Brazil learns that its symbolic stage will host the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 Confederation Cup. De facto, the stage is redesigned, the places are once again modernized to meet international security, logistics and sustainable development requirements. After redesign, it then accommodates more 78,000 spectators and supporters!

Did you know? : Brazilians also know the place under the official name of Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho . Indeed, journalist Mario Filho has long defended the project through the columns of the Jornal dos Sports , orchestrate a great work of influence for the 1950 World Cup. At his death in 1966, the city of Rio decided to pay tribute to him and to rename the stadium in its name.

What to see and do at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio?

The guided tour: behind the scenes of the stadium

But if you really want to put yourself in place of the players and crowd the mythical lawn, nothing is worth visiting the Maracanã Stadium in Rio with a guide! Rouverted in 2017, these tours offer fans and curious a documented and animated circuit by an expert. You will discover them coulisses de Maracanã with a bilingual guide, in group or in individual.

The visit begins with the exhibition space . Historical videos and objects that belonged to the most famous players are presented, such as the ball of the thousandth goal marked by the king of football, Pelé. Jerseys, balls signed or shoes of great players such as Zico or Galinho de Quitino, will also make great pleasure to fans. The discovery continues with the piece dedicated to heating players and the press conference room.

Then comes the great moment of the entrance on the huge lawn . There, you can even sit on one of the reserve benches. Finally, the highlight of the course is the discovery of vestiaries players with jerseys from different national teams.

A football match

To make the most of the electric atmosphere of a football game, the best thing is to buy your place to watch a battle between the best clubs in Rio and Brazil.

How to go to the Maracanã Stadium in Rio?

Maracanã Stadium is located in the Tijuca district, north of Rio de Janeiro. You can access it by metro, SuperVia (urban train), or by bus. We enter the space dedicated to the tours guided by Door A, on the west side of the stadium.

• By metro : Line 2 of the metro leads you in a quarter of an hour at the stadium from the neighborhoods of downtown, Botafogo or Flamengo. Once you get out of Maracanã station, it is impossible to miss the stadium since the access bridge to the subway leads you directly. In addition, there is nothing else around.
• By bus : the cheapest way to get from Copacabana Beach to Stade Maracanã is to get there with the bus line n° 432. The journey lasts a little over an hour.
• By taxi, private car or Uber : this is the fastest way. We access the stadium in 10 minutes from downtown. Parking is available on the side of door 2.

Timetables & Rates of the Maracanã/h3 raised Stadium

Photo credit: Shutterstock / A.PAES

HORARI

Guided tours may take place daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (last visit at 4 p.m.) They are carried out in Portuguese, Spanish and English.

Note : on match days, the last visit ends 3 hours before the opening of the doors.

RATES

Tickets can be purchased online or to the ticketing directly, in cash or bank card.

• Guided tour : full price 65 R$ (14 €) / half price 32,50 R$ (7 €)
• Free visit : full price 55 R$ (12 €) / half price 27,50 R$ (6 €)

Note : the reduced rate is granted to students with cards, children 6 to 10 years of age and retirees over 60 years of age. The visit is free for under 5 years.

ALL COMPANIES

Different providers offer packages . They usually last 3 hours and are animated by a French-speaking guide. They include car support from your hotel. For this type of visit, count on average 50€ per person .