There are one thousand days to June 12, 2014, and the opening day of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, 64 years after the last time. It will start at the same place where it finished in 1950, in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
But in the 31 days that follow, 64 World Cup matches will be played across 11 different venues. On the day that marks the countdown of 1000 days, Sambafoot presents each ground and how it will shape up between now and 2014. Sao Paulo, the biggest of the stadiums in terms of both capacity and importance, has already gained much attention, but you can now check out all the others:
RIO DE JANEIRO
The venue of the World Cup final and the Olympics in 2016 is experiencing a period of change and expectation with the events that make the city the centre of the sporting world in the coming years.
The Maracanã, closed since since last year, is now unrecognisable to the fans passing through the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Despite the advanced work, the organisation faces problems, such as employees who strike demanding better working conditions.
The reform includes the Maracana having its capacity reduced to 76,000, reconstruction of the lower grandstand, oval geometry (to improve visibility curve), 108 cabins and an access ramp. Impairment of the structure increased construction costs by about $ 400 million. It’s scheduled date for completion is currently undisclosed, but the work is already 25% complete.
BELO HORIZONTE
With hopes of hosting the opening of the World Cup, however faint they may be, Belo Horizonte follows some of Europe’s most advanced structures in terms of stadiums. Currently however, BH faces the same problem as Rio de Janeiro: strike by employees. In Minas Gerais, however, major problems are related to infrastructure as the city has a crumbling airport, as well as poor hotels and urban mobility to get games that matter most. The Local Organizing Committee, however, promises that everything will be solved by the time of the World Cup.
The development includes the construction of changing rooms, new bleachers, parking and terraces. The stadium will have 69,000 seats. The work is already 20% complete.
BRASILIA
Another candidate to host the opening of the World Cup, if it can meet schedules and the reform of the Mane Garrincha Stadium for the 2014 World Cup. In time, the big problem is to think of Brasilia as the city, which despite being the country’s capital, has no team in Brazil’s top three divisions using the stadium.
The project includes parking, security, locker rooms and shops, and is scheduled for completion in December 2011. The work is already 35% complete.
CUIABA
The Pantanal Arena, built in Cuiaba for the 2014 World Cup is currently on schedule and has, at least for the time being, no problems. The city has many problems with infrastructure, but the biggest worry is the use of the stadium. Thinking about it, the stadium after the World Cup should have the capacity reduced by 30%, with removable roofs and terraces.
There is no scheduled date for completion, but 30% of the Pantanal Arena is ready.
CURITIBA
Incredibly, the work on the Arena da Baixada has not even started. If the city has the best transport system, it is one of the worst in relation to preparing a stadium. The reform of the stadium of Atletico-PR will begin next month. For the work, the district released construction loans of $90 million to Atletico-PR.
CHECK BACK AT SAMBAFOOT SHORTLY FOR INFORMATION ON THE REST OF THE STADIUMS!
