Fluminense sign 35 year lease for Maracana

Brazilian club Fluminense has signed a 35-year lease that will allow them to play home matches at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The Maracana recently underwent a massive renovation as the iconic stadium is set to host the final of the Fifa World Cup 2014. The lease was signed between the club and a consortium of Odebrecht, IMX and AEG, which controls the operation of the Maracana.

Following the deal, Fluminense will have the right to sell up to 43,000 tickets per match and a new club shop will be built in the stadium whose revenues will go to the club. The consortium will have the rights over food and beverage revenues.

“We haven’t invested one real in the Maracana and we will begin to make a profit immediately. Our expenses to play there are zero and we will have the profits of 43,000 seats,” said Fluminense president Peter Siemsen.

Rio based teams Flamengo and Botafogo are also expected to sign similar deals to play their home matches in the Maracana.

source: sportspromedia.com