Go behind the scenes at the Maracana stadium

Brazil was awarded the World Cup, originally scheduled for 1949 but postponed until 1950. This award was due to the complicated situation in Europe. After the Second World War, most of the stadiums on the old continent had to be rebuilt. Brazil did not have a stadium big enough to host a World Cup final. An agreement was reached between the federal government of Rio and the Ministry of Sport.

The stadium was to be built in the Maracana district, which was more centrally located than the Jacarepagua district. Construction of the stadium began on 20 January 1948, but work did not really start until August of the same year. Despite the tight schedule, the building was finished in time for the start of the 1950 World Cup. The capacity of the newly-built stadium was 183,254 and 220,000 if you count standing room only. The Brazilian monument became the largest stadium in the world, surpassing Glasgow's Hampden Park and its 150,000 seats. In 1966, the stadium was named Mario Filho after the sports journalist who was instrumental in its construction.

In the final of the 1950 World Cup, Brazil lost 2-1 to Uruguay, who went on to win the tournament. The shock was so severe that a Brazilian fan threw himself from the stands, and the defeat led to a wave of suicides across the country. On 19 November 1969, Pele scored the 1,000th goal of his career in this stadium during a match between Santos FC and Vasco de Gama. The crowd in the stadium greeted the performance of "King Pele" by invading the pitch. Flamengo and Fluminense are the stadium's resident clubs. The Norwegian music group a-Ha entered the Guinness Book of Records for having attracted the largest number of paying spectators, with over 199,000 people in the stadium that day. Pope John Paul II also celebrated two masses at the stadium.

The temple of Brazilian football opens its doors to you. You can visit the Maracana stadium accompanied by a guide who will take you behind the scenes of this legendary venue. The players' dressing room, warm-up room, press room, players' tunnel, substitutes' bench - the stadium will hold no secrets for you. You'll even be able to go out onto the pitch. The tour lasts around 45 minutes. A permanent exhibition completes the tour.

Seeing a match of the resident clubs, Flamengo and Fluminense, is also a must, as you'll be immersed in the atmosphere and fervour that are so special here. You'll be able to see for yourself just how passionate Brazilians are about football.

Located just 200 metres from the stadium, the Arena Maracana Hostel allows you to relax while soaking up the football atmosphere. There is a breathtaking view of the stadium and the match players from resident clubs Fluminense and Flamengo.