The Maracana Stadium, Brazil.

Droolinggimp · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:01

I was just looking up the stadium capacity of the ones used in the current world cup in Germany and remembered that this stadium in Brazil was the biggest in the world. I have done a little reading on it via the web and was slightly miffed that it was more or less about to be dis-used due to it crumbleing away so much every year.

When it was built in 1950 for the world cup it had a capacity of 200,000 people. What would I of given to be there with that amount of fans singing and hurling abuse at the other set of fans, must be awsome.

All hope was given up refurbishing it until some people put some money into it recently and is re-open with the seating capacity of 100,000.

You can read more about it here.

I feel as though this is one of the best stadiums in the world and was wanting to pass on some information to you.

On the wikipedia page it says there is a football match called the Fla-Flu. That would be a match to go and see.. Incidently, Swan, the makers of the paper for rolling your own fags are having a competition for visiting one of the great stadiums in the world and the Maracana is one of them... might just call up Swan with my promo code and see if I have won..

More quality pictures here just click on "Imagens" on the left and it will take you to the pictures page. The site is in Portugese (National language of Brazil)

Gilly · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:03

I wouldn't go so far as to say one of the best. One of the biggest, sure. Best? Nay.

I'd like to visit it, but only for its history not for what it is now (which is, actually, a crumbling relic).

Gman · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:04

It's just a shame that with stadia that size your allways miles away from the pitch, so much so that half the time you'd be better bringing the binoculars along.

Droolinggimp · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:07

Gilly said:
I wouldn't go so far as to say one of the best. One of the biggest, sure. Best? Nay.

I'd like to visit it, but only for its history not for what it is now (which is, actually, a crumbling relic).

I see what you mean. What I meant for it being the best was the atmosphere. I dont think theres much that can equal it. You might disagree, fair enough but to me its ace.

As to your comment on it being a crumbling relic, they have re-opened it completely re-furbished and with sound structure too. so it would hopefuly last a few more decades..

kaiowas · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:08

Former Flamengo midfielder Zico is the stadium top scorer: 333 goals in 435 matches.

That's one hell of a scoring record.

Droolinggimp · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:09

Yeah i noticed that too.. I also originaly thought that Pele scoring 1000 goals was a mistake.

Alchemy · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:12

Cool. I might just pay it a visit in December.

Yas786 · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:15

Ive been to it, not when a match has been played there but more or less just visited it etc. It is absolutely huge, bigger than you ever imagine. Sadly its very old now but still looks awesome.

Mind you this was 2 yrs ago when i went over to Rio for a few days on business with my boss. Lovely stadium, would love to go see a football match there.

Nismo · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:18

Gilly said:
I wouldn't go so far as to say one of the best. One of the biggest, sure. Best? Nay.

I'd like to visit it, but only for its history not for what it is now (which is, actually, a crumbling relic).

^^

Would love to visit it, not for the facilities though

mctiny · 26 Jun 2006 at 17:36

Alchemy said:
Cool. I might just pay it a visit in December.

you off out to Rio per chance?

The Fla-Fu game you speak of would be Flamengo - Fluminense and is a huge rivalry macth in brasil, much like Tottenham - Arsenal.
Unfortuantly for me it was one of the few places I didn`t mange to see whist in Rio

sandy10 · 26 Jun 2006 at 21:59

Unfortunately due to the state of Brazilian football, it's often only attracts around 10-20,000 for a league game.

It's also due a huge overhaul as it's in a poor state of condition.

Alchemy · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:02

mctiny said:
you off out to Rio per chance?

The Fla-Fu game you speak of would be Flamengo - Fluminense and is a huge rivalry macth in brasil, much like Tottenham - Arsenal.
Unfortuantly for me it was one of the few places I didn`t mange to see whist in Rio

I'm going to São Paulo to see my family, but we are planning on going to Rio too.

mctiny · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:20

Alchemy said:
I'm going to São Paulo to see my family, but we are planning on going to Rio too.

I can`t say you'd regret going to RIO

, I spent the first three months of this year there

Martynt74 · 27 Jun 2006 at 20:23

Ah good stadium, only managed about 15000 when i went to see Vasgo vs Botafoga though got a lot more for Flamengo vs Fluminese which was a great atmosphere, i'd highly recommend heading there if theres a game on

Syph · 27 Jun 2006 at 21:09

It's no longer the biggest football stadium (capacity wise). That goes to the Azteca in Mexico at 114,000.

Greenlizard0 · 27 Jun 2006 at 21:48

Syph said:
It's no longer the biggest football stadium (capacity wise). That goes to the Azteca in Mexico at 114,000.

Monster!! I have problems keeping up with the play at Highbury I probably would lose track of the game if I sat in there..

Gilly · 27 Jun 2006 at 21:51

How do you struggle to keep up with play? :confused:

Are you a liner?

Greenlizard0 · 27 Jun 2006 at 22:08

Gilly said:
How do you struggle to keep up with play?

Are you a liner?

No, I just have the concentration span of a dyslexic gold fish born with cerebral palsy. It's also because the games I've seen at Highbury have always ended up with Arsenal at their free flowing best. That sometimes can be quite hard to track on telly too.

WTF is a liner? :confused:

edit - just went to urbandictionary.com, Lol, yes, yes I am.

Gilly · 27 Jun 2006 at 22:33

LOL, UB has it wrong. I wasn't being that harsh.

Liner = Linesman