📌Where it is
Maracanã neighbourhood, in the Zona Norte of Rio de Janeiro, about 15 minutes from the Centro. Official name: Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho.
📌Getting there
Metro Line 2 to Maracanã station, which drops you right at the gate. The SuperVia train also stops at the same station, and several bus lines run there. On match days, the metro is your best option.
📌How much time to spend
An hour and a half for the stadium tour. If you're going to a match, set aside a whole afternoon, including getting there and back.
📌Best time to go
Any time of year. For football, the Campeonato Carioca runs from January to April and the Brasileirão from April to December. The Fla-Flu and Fla-Vasco derbies are the ultimate experience.
📌Currency and prices
Brazilian real (R$). The tour costs R$ 115 for a full-price ticket and R$ 57,50 for a half-price ticket (2026). Match tickets are sold separately by the clubs.
📌Language
Portuguese. The tour has materials and staff who can handle English and Spanish.
📌The biggest surprise
Going down the tunnel from the dressing rooms and stepping out at the edge of the pitch. That's when you understand why this stadium, and no other, is the temple of Brazilian football.
📌Watch out for
Event days, when the tour changes its hours or closes completely. Always check the stadium's schedule before you go.
💱 BRL exchange rate
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🌤️ Weather in Estádio do Maracanã
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The Maracanã isn't just a stadium. It's where Brazilian football keeps its happiest memories and its greatest trauma. It opened in 1950 for the World Cup in Brazil, and on 16 July that year around two hundred thousand people came to watch the final match against Uruguay. Brazil only needed a draw. They lost 2-1, the whole country fell silent, and that silence has been known ever since as the 'Maracanazo'.
Since then it has seen it all: Pelé's thousandth goal in 1969, Campeonato Carioca finals, Fla-Flu derbies with the stadium split in two, the 2014 World Cup final, the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games and several Copa Libertadores finals. Since its renovation it holds around 78,000 people, has a roof over every stand and a pitch looked after like a garden.
If your visit doesn't line up with a match, the stadium tour takes you through the stands, the VIP box, the press room, the dressing rooms and the edge of the pitch, plus the Calçada da Fama and the memorabilia area. Here we cover what it costs at the official 2026 prices, its opening hours, how to get there by metro, how to get match tickets and what precautions to take on derby day.
📖 History of Estádio do Maracanã
The stadium was built for the 1950 World Cup, the first one hosted by Brazil, and it opened on 16 June that year before construction was finished. Its official name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, after the journalist who championed its construction, but everyone calls it Maracanã, after the river and the neighbourhood where it stands. On 16 July 1950 it hosted the deciding match of the World Cup between Brazil and Uruguay. The stadium was packed, with around 173,850 paying spectators and close to 200,000 people according to estimates at the time, still the record attendance in football history. Brazil lost 2-1, and the defeat left a scar on the country that is known as the 'Maracanazo'. In 1969, Pelé scored his thousandth goal here. For decades it was the largest stadium in the world, with a stated capacity of more than 150,000 people, many of them standing. Between 2010 and 2013 it was almost completely rebuilt for the 2014 World Cup: the standing terraces were removed and replaced with individual seats, and a new roof and modern structure were added, bringing capacity to around 78,000. The 2014 World Cup final was played here, with Germany beating Argentina 1-0, and it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It is home to Flamengo and Fluminense and a regular venue for the Brazilian national team.
🗺️ What to see
Tours nearby, in Rio De Janeiro
If you only have one day, take a guided tour on the first one: it sets up the rest of your trip and saves you a lot of walking. We look ours up on Civitatis: guided in Spanish and booked online with no fuss. They have over 50 activities in Rio De Janeiro. And there are free tours here: you book without paying and tip the guide whatever you think at the end, so trying one costs you nothing. Three are below so you get the idea: tap any of them and they all open.
They depart from Rio De Janeiro, 6 km away. If you book from this link we earn a commission and you pay no more.
1
The stadium tour
A guided tour of the stands, VIP boxes, press room, dressing rooms, tunnel and pitchside, with areas devoted to the stadium's history.
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The Tour do Maracanã lets you explore the inside of the stadium on days when there's no event. The route goes through the stands, the VIP boxes, the press room, the mixed zone, the dressing rooms and the tunnel the teams walk out of. It ends at the edge of the pitch, behind the substitutes' benches. There are also displays of shirts, trophies and historical items from Brazilian football.
The stadium runs the tour from 9:00 to 17:00 and has its own ticket office. There are extra experiences too, such as the commemorative photo in the goal ('Gol de Placa') and a souvenir photo. The visit takes about an hour and a half, and it works very well even if you're not a football fan.
Getting there: Av. Rei Pelé, s/n, Portão 2, Radial Oeste; Maracanã metro station. Best time to go: days with no match; arrive early. Tips: the tour can close for events. In September 2026, for example, it was closed from the 21st to the 30th for an NFL event, so check the schedule before your trip.
2
The Calçada da Fama
Footprints of the great idols of Brazilian and world football, cast in cement at the stadium entrance.
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At the stadium entrance is the Calçada da Fama, a walkway with cement casts of the feet of footballers who shaped the Maracanã's history. They include idols from Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco and Botafogo, Brazilian national team players and international stars who played here. It's a short stop, it's included in the tour route and it's one of the most photographed spots in the stadium.
The fun part is hunting for your own heroes. The footprints include stars any South American fan will recognise, and comparing the size of their feet with your own is a classic family photo.
Getting there: at the stadium entrance, as part of the tour route. Best time to go: together with the guided tour. Tips: it's the best quick photo if you're travelling with kids.
3
A match at the Maracanã
The real thing: Flamengo or Fluminense playing at home, with drums, flags and a stadium that sings for ninety minutes straight.
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If your dates allow it, watching a match beats any tour. The Maracanã is home to Flamengo and Fluminense and often hosts the Brazilian national team and continental finals. Flamengo has the largest fan base in Brazil, and a derby against Fluminense (the Fla-Flu) or Vasco turns the stands into a show of their own.
Tickets are sold through each club's official channels, to members first and then to the general public. It's best to buy them in advance and only from official websites. Visitors should go for the central, numbered sections. Derbies have special entry rules and are sometimes played with fans of only one team allowed in.
Getting there: metro Line 2 to Maracanã, the safest and quickest option on match days. Best time to go: weekend afternoons. Tips: bring only your ID and some cash, and be patient on the way back, because everyone leaves at once.
4
A few minutes from the stadium are the former park of the Brazilian imperial family and the Museu Nacional, which is being rebuilt after the 2018 fire.
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The Maracanã neighbourhood is a few minutes from the Quinta da Boa Vista, the big park in the Zona Norte that was once the home of the Brazilian imperial family. It's a huge space with lakes, paths and gardens laid out in the 19th century, and local families flock there at weekends.
Inside the park is the São Cristóvão Palace, home of the Museu Nacional, Brazil's oldest scientific institution. It was devastated by a fire in September 2018 and has been under reconstruction ever since, with some areas reopening. Check which areas are open before you go. The stadium and the park together make a full day away from the beach circuit.
Getting there: metro Line 2 to São Cristóvão, one station after Maracanã. Best time to go: weekend mornings. Tips: this part of Rio sees fewer tourists, so stick to the busier areas of the park.
5
The Maracanãzinho and the sports complex
The indoor arena next door, home of Brazilian volleyball, and the sports complex around the stadium.
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Next to the stadium is the Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso, known as the Maracanãzinho. It's an indoor arena that opened in the 1950s and is one of the historic venues of Brazilian volleyball. It also hosts concerts. It held the volleyball events at the 2016 Olympic Games and still hosts national and international competitions as well as shows.
The complex also includes other sports facilities and the stadium car park, which has its own rates. If there's an event on during your trip, see what's on at the Maracanãzinho, because it's usually much cheaper than a football match.
Getting there: same grounds as the stadium, Maracanã metro. Best time to go: depends on what's on. Tips: check the complex's schedule, because Maracanãzinho events also affect the tour hours.
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Tour do Maracanã — entrada general | R$ 115,00 (same price online and at the ticket office, 2026) (source: tourmaracana.com.br, checked 22/09/2026) |
| Tour do Maracanã — media entrada | R$ 57,50 for students with a student card and ID, children aged 3 to 11, people over 60, people with disabilities, and teachers and staff of Rio de Janeiro's public school system (2026) (source: tourmaracana.com.br, checked 22/09/2026) |
| Gratuidad | Children under 2 and tour guides, with documentation (2026) |
| Horarios del tour | From 9:00 to 17:00; ticket office open from 8:30 to 16:30. On match days, the last tour ends five hours before the gates open, and the tour may be suspended for events (source: tourmaracana.com.br, checked 22/09/2026) |
| Estacionamiento del estadio (Portão 2, exclusivo para visitantes del tour) | Car or van R$ 35,00; bus R$ 45,00; motorbike R$ 15,00; open from 9:00 to 17:00 (2026) (source: tourmaracana.com.br, checked 22/09/2026) |
| Entradas para partidos | The stadium doesn't sell them. The clubs (Flamengo, Fluminense) or the event organiser do, with priority for members. Prices vary by match and section, so buy only through official channels |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Guided stadium tour | R$ 115 full price / R$ 57,50 half price (2026) | Approx. 1,5 h | Tour do Maracanã |
| Extra tour experiences (photo in the goal, souvenir photo) | Booked separately at the stadium | Minutes | Tour do Maracanã |
| Watch a Flamengo or Fluminense match | Depends on match and section; sold by the clubs | Half a day | Local clubs |
| Event at the Maracanãzinho (volleyball, concerts) | Depends on the event | One evening | Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso |
| Combine with the Quinta da Boa Vista | Free park | 2 to 3 h | Prefeitura do Rio |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
NotesMaracanã station drops you practically at the stadium gate. It's the recommended option, especially on match days (source: MetrôRio, checked 22/09/2026)
NotesMaracanã station is also served by the commuter train, which is handy if you're coming from the Zona Norte or the Baixada Fluminense
NotesThere are direct lines from Copacabana and the Centro, but match-day traffic makes them slow
Taxi and ride-hailing apps
Fare varies
NotesConvenient for getting there. Getting back after a match is harder: prices go up and several blocks are closed to traffic
NotesThe Portão 2 car park is only for tour visitors and is open from 9:00 to 17:00
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Copacabana / Ipanema → Maracanã | MetrôRio (Line 1 + Line 2, change at Estácio or Central) | R$ 7,90 | 30 to 40 min |
| Centro → Maracanã | MetrôRio Line 2 or SuperVia train from Central do Brasil | R$ 7,90 / train fare | 15 to 20 min |
| Galeão International Airport (GIG) → Maracanã | Taxi, ride-hailing apps and bus | Varies | 25 to 45 min |
| Barra da Tijuca → Maracanã | Metro Line 4 + Line 2, or taxi | R$ 7,90 / varies | 50 to 70 min |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
Maracanã and Tijuca neighbourhoods
Recommended optionsSimple hotels and hostels in the Zona Norte, a few blocks from the stadium and on metro Line 2. Prices are well below the Zona Sul.
Recommended optionsFifteen minutes away by metro, with business hotels that get cheaper at weekends, which is exactly when matches are played.
Zona Sul (Copacabana, Flamengo, Botafogo)
Recommended optionsMost travellers' choice: stay near the beach and take the metro to the stadium, thirty or forty minutes door to door.
Recommended optionsCharming guesthouses about halfway between the Centro and the stadium, for those who value character over proximity.
🍴 Where to eat
Options / signature dishAround the stadium there are traditional bars where fans gather before the match, with chopp (draught beer), churrasquinho (grilled skewers) and bar food at budget prices.
Options / signature dishInside the Maracanã there are fast-food stands during events, and the tour complex has its own food outlets.
Comida por kilo en la Tijuca
Options / signature dishThe neighbouring area has por-kilo restaurants and home-style cooking at Zona Norte prices, good for lunch before the tour.
Cena en el Centro o la Zona Sul
Options / signature dishThe stadium area isn't a place for dinner at night. Most people head back to the Centro, Lapa or the Zona Sul to eat.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much does the Maracanã tour cost?+
A full-price ticket costs R$ 115 and a half-price ticket R$ 57,50, the same whether you buy online or at the ticket office (official prices checked on 22/09/2026). Half price applies to students with a student card and ID, children aged 3 to 11, people over 60, people with disabilities, and teachers and staff of Rio's public school system. Children under 2 go free.
What are the tour hours?+
From 9:00 to 17:00, with the ticket office open from 8:30 to 16:30. On match days, the last tour ends five hours before the gates open, and during major events the tour is suspended. In September 2026, for example, it closed from the 21st to the 30th for an NFL event. Check the schedule before you go.
How do I get to the stadium?+
By metro, Line 2, Maracanã station, which drops you practically at the gate; the fare is R$ 7,90. The SuperVia train also stops at the same station. From the Zona Sul it takes thirty to forty minutes with one change. On match days, the metro is the safest and fastest option.
How do I get tickets for a match?+
Tickets are sold by the local clubs, Flamengo and Fluminense, through their official channels. Members get priority, then general sale opens. For national team matches or finals, the tournament organiser sells them. Buy only through the official sites: touting at the gate is illegal and is the main source of fake tickets.
Is it safe to go to a match?+
Yes, as long as you take the usual precautions: carry only your ID and a little cash, don't wear the away team's shirt near the home fans' entrances, arrive early and take the metro. Derbies have special security operations and are sometimes played with home fans only; check the entry conditions for that particular match.
What do you see on the tour?+
Stands, boxes, the press room, the mixed zone, the dressing rooms, the tunnel the teams walk out through and the edge of the pitch. There's also the Calçada da Fama with the footprints of the legends, plus memorabilia areas. It lasts about an hour and a half, and there are extra experiences such as a souvenir photo in the goal.
What happened in the Maracanazo?+
On 16 July 1950, in the deciding match of the World Cup, Brazil needed only a draw against Uruguay to become champions in their own stadium. With some 173,850 paying spectators and close to two hundred thousand people inside, they lost 2–1. The silence of that afternoon marked generations and gave its name to the most famous episode in South American football history.
Sources consulted (6)
- Tour do Maracanã — Ingressos (R$ 115 full / R$ 57,50 half, opening hours and parking): https://www.tourmaracana.com.br/ingressos
- Tour do Maracanã — official site (schedule and closures for events): https://www.tourmaracana.com.br/
- MetrôRio — Meios e Tarifas (R$ 7,90 from 12/04/2026): https://www.metrorio.com.br/ComoPagar/MeiosTarifas
- Secretaria Municipal de Transportes do Rio — bus fares (R$ 5,00 from 4/01/2026): https://transportes.prefeitura.rio/historico-das-tarifas/
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Estadio Maracaná»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Maracan%C3%A1
- Wikipedia (PT) — «Estádio do Maracanã»: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Est%C3%A1dio_do_Maracan%C3%A3
