The legendary Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro has reopened with a first test match after three years of building works. Before hosting another test match on the 15th of May, it will then officially open on the 2nd of June with a friendly between the Brazilian and English national teams.
The reconstruction of Maracanã has been a painful one, plagued by workers strikes, delays, and budget overruns. What results is a stadium that still has the same look and feel of the original arena, but with new stands and a new roof, and a capacity of 78,838 seats, of which 1,000 premium seats.
Last night’s occasion was an exhibition match between two teams of Brazilian ex-players led by Ronaldo and Bebeto. Capacity was capped at about 30,000 spectators, which were comprised of the builders that helped build the stadium, their friends and relatives, and the obligatory dignitaries from the football and political world, including Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff.
The stadium’s opening faced similar glitches as those surfaced during the opening ceremonies of other Brazilian World Cup stadiums, such as a lack of water in various toilets and a number of seats coming loose.
After the official opening, Maracanã will go on to be a playing venue of the Confederations Cup this summer and will host seven matches during the 2014 World Cup, among which, of course, the final. It will also become the home of Rio clubs Flamengo and Fluminense.
(Photo credits: Glauber Queiroz/Ministério do Esporte)