Brasilia stadium to be second biggest in Brazil

Brasilia, Dec 26 (IANS): The Mane Garrincha Stadium, being built here for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is soon to become the second biggest stadium in the country.

With a capacity of 70,064, the Mane Garrincha will overtake Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium as the second largest stadium in the country in terms of capacity but will remain behind Rio’s Maracana, which will have space for 79,000, reports Xinhua.

Both arenas – the Maracana and Mane Garrincha – should be completed by February, ready for use for the 2013 Confederations Cup June 15-30, the prelude to the following year’s main event.

During June’s tournament, the Mane Garrincha will host the opening ceremony whilst the Maracana will be the scene of the final.

With so many new football stadiums being built or renovated prior to 2014, the list of Brazil’s top 10 biggest sporting arenas will have a different outlook from the present list, potentially changing the football landscape of the world’s most successful footballing country.

The recently re-opened Castelao joins the list, as does the Arena Arruda, situated in the north-eastern state of Pernambuco. One aim of the World Cup is to bring sporting opportunities to those living in the north-eastern part of the country.