Estádio Nacional de Brasília – tournament stadium description

Copa America 2021 games at Estádio Nacional

The nominal national stadium of Brazil is hosting more games of the tournament than any other, eight in total. This includes five group fixtures, one quarterfinal and semifinal, as well as the 3rd place play-off.

Location

Built along the city’s central axis, also known as the Monumental Axis, the national stadium is within the heart of the planned city, even if within significant distance from where most of the population is. Even though a light rail line (reaching the airport) was supposed to be built by 2013, the stadium still has no direct connection to mass transit.

That’s why Estação Central, the city’s main transit hub, still serves as the main connector for all commuters. It’s the main bus exchange, also the terminal station for both of the city’s subway lines. The central station is located just over 1.5 km east of the stadium. As for drivers, Estádio Nacional has extensive parking sites around, which became famous worldwide after becoming Brasilia’s central bus depot. Due to the strategic location, it’s economically viable for buses to rest here.

History of the stadium

The first stadium, largely located within a sunken bowl, was built back in 1974. And though the capital city never saw a major club grow into it, for nearly 50 years this has been the home of football in the Federal District, with several clubs claiming tenancy. When Brazil was announced the hosts of the 2014 World Cup, it was decided that a new stadium would be built here. Demolition of the old one began in 2010, while the successor was ready in mid-2013.

Architecture

Visually the stadium fits very well into the monumental, modernist landmarks spread across the area. Despite both rings of regular seating being formed on a near-rectangular plan, the stadium’s canopy forms a perfect circle. It spreads were beyond the stands, supported externally by a forest of slender concrete columns.

Other events

Although the project suffered from major delays, the new stadium was inaugurated in time for its first major tournament, the 2013 Confederations Cup, traditional prelude to the following year’s World Cup. Though it’s often referred to as a white elephant and it’s very rarely full indeed, the calendar of events isn’t as modest as one might think. Aside from domestic fixtures by local teams, there are also exhibition games of major Brazilian clubs and other events. In 2016 the stadium was included in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, too.