Estádio Mineirão – stadium description

Planning works for the region's largest stadium started in 1959, though were under consideration since 1940s. All major clubs already had their venues, but a central one for largest games was still missing. Even the Independencia, built for 1950 World Cup, was too small to meet demand with its 30,000 capacity.

After numerous tests and modifications actual construction works began in 1960 and lasted for 5 years, with the stadium being an evolution of other flagship venues of that time – Maracana or the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. A massive 5,000 people worked on the project over the construction period.

For decades the iconic structure remained unchanged, holding the most important games not only in the Minas Gerais region, but also international ones, with Brazil national team matches, continental club cup games and others. Most frequent users have always been Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro, each playing well over 1,000 games at this location, watched by 40 million people alltogether (not including local derbies!), but also smaller clubs played host here, to name just America.

In June 2010 the venue was closed for reconfiguration. Due to its historical and architectural importance one aim was to preserve its concrete shell with façades and roof, thus allowing only minor changes in the structure. Roof was extended and part of the stands replaced and reconfigured to get closer to the playing field. First official game after the works, which were to improve the stadium ahead of 2014 World Cup, came in February 2013.