São Januário
Estádio São Januário, nicknamed A Colina (The Hill), is the home of CR Vasco da Gama. The stadium has a capacity of 24,584 seats.
São Januário opened on the 21st of April 1927 with a match between Vasco da Gama and Santos (5-3). The first goal was scored by Santos player Evangelista. When it opened, the stadium was the largest of South America, and even though it lost that status quickly, it remained the largest of Brazil until the opening of Pacaembu in 1940.
In the 1930s and 40s the stadium was a regular host to the Brazilian national team, and it was one of the two playing venues at the 1949 Copa América. After the completion of Maracaña in 1950, the stadium had to settle with just two international friendlies in the late 1980s and early 90s.
The facade of the main stand is listed as national heritage. In 2007 a statue of Romário was erected at the stadium. It is located on the pitch, behind the goal in which he scored his 1000th goal ever.
Getting there
São Januário is located in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro, about 7 kilometres north-west from Rio de Janeiro’s business downtown, 5 kilometres north-west from the central rail station, and 3 kilometres from the Rodoviária Novo Rio long-distance bus station.
Apart from taking a taxi, the stadium can be reached by bus.
Bus 473 brings you from Copacabana directly to the stadium. Get on the bus at the Rua Tonelera. The stadium is at the end of the line.
Bus 472 also passes right in front of the stadium. You can board this bus in downtown (Av Pres Vargas), the Flamengo area (Praia do Flamengo), or at the northern edge of Copacabana.
From Ipanema you can catch bus 474, which also passes through Copacabana (Av Ns de Copacabana), along the bay, and through downtown. The bus stops a 5-minute walk away from the stadium (follow the Rua São Januário north).
From Rodoviária Novo Rio bus station one you can take bus 209, which again leaves you right in front of the stadium.
Address: Rua General Almério de Moura 131, Bairro Vasco da Gama, Rio de Janeiro
Tickets
Tickets for Vasco da Gama matches can be bought online, at the ticket office at the stadium, or at the club office at the Rue Jardel Jerculis (near the Museu de Arte Moderne).
Ticket prices range from R$20.00 to R$60.00.
Stadium tours
Vasco da Gama offers guided stadium tours around São Januário that include access to the trophy room, VIP area, and stadium chapel.
Tours run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Contact social.eventos@crvascodagama.com for reservations and more information.
Relevant Internet links:
Crvascodagama.com – Official website of CR Vasco da Gama.
Rioguiaoficial.com.br – Official guide to Rio de Janeiro.
Vadeonibus.com.br – Public transport journey planner.
Keep up to date with the latest stadium news by following @stadiumguide on Twitter (all updates) or liking our Facebook page (occasional updates). 
