Arena Romeirão – stadium description

How was the Arena Romeirão built?

In 2017, plans were made to redevelop Estádio Municipal Mauro Sampaio (also known as Romeirão), the main stadium in the Brazilian city of Juazeiro do Norte. Initial plans called for the stadium to be expanded, retaining its existing layout, with a customised narrow athletics track. However, it was eventually decided to completely rebuild and turn the arena into a typical football venue.

In mid-2019, the demolition of the stands of the old stadium, inaugurated on 1 May 1970, began (only the concrete steps of the main stand on the west side, which were later connected to the rest of the new stands, were retained), and construction of the new stadium started. The main contractor for the facility was the Estádio Romeirão consortium, made up of JZ Engenharia e Comércio LTDA, Talude Construções S/A and Hersa Engenharia e Serviços LTDA. The design was created by Umpraum Projetos Integrados.

The inauguration of the new stadium took place on March 28, 2022. On the opening day, a friendly match was played in which the under-20 footballers representing their region (Cariri) faced the national team of Fortaleza, the state capital, made up of under-23 players. The inaugural match was won by the local team (2:1). The cost of building the stadium, covered by the state of Ceará's budget, was R$89.5 million (approximately 20 million more than the initial estimate).

What are the characteristics of the Arena Romeirão?

The stadium has a typical football layout. The pitch is surrounded on all sides by single-level stands. The main stand, with additional VIP rows and boxes, is located on the west side. The stand on the opposite side is in turn several rows lower due to space constraints. Both stands along the pitch are covered with a white membrane roof, composed of semi-circular segments.

The stands are equipped with plastic folding chairs in a willow-green colour. The capacity of the stadium is 17 230 spectators. A video screen has been placed in the stand behind the north goal and floodlights have been installed under the canopy.

The main stand has facilities with changing rooms, VIP boxes, commentator cabins and other amenities. Its façade was decorated with triangular patterns. Parking spaces have been created in front of the main stand. There are also food and beverage outlets or sanitary facilities in the stadium. Adjacent to the stand behind the north gate is a building which is to house a football museum.

As the old stadium was known as the Romeirão, this was reflected in the name of the new facility (Arena Romeirão), to which was added an element honouring Mauro Sampaio, the former mayor of Juazeiro do Norte, on whose initiative the previous facility was built (it was also named after him).

The stadium is located in the city centre. The facility is primarily intended to serve two local clubs (Guarani and Icasa), as well as regional competitions, and is also suitable for hosting matches at international level.