The ten Biggest football stadiums in South America

The biggest stadiums in South America are all about where passion and atmosphere merge to create unforgettable experiences. From the legendary Maracana in Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental, these massive venues are more than just sporting grounds; they are symbols of national pride and footballing heritage. Each of these stadiums carries its own story, often tied to great matches and historic tournaments.

The ten biggest stadiums in South America showcase not only the scale of the sport on the continent but also its cultural significance. Whether in Brazil,  Argentina, Peru, or Chile, these venues stand as landmarks that define the cities they inhabit and the teams they host. They represent the heartbeat of South American football, where size and history combine to create settings that are revered globally.

This post explores the ten biggest stadiums in South America, so read on for details.

The Ten Biggest stadiums in South America

 

10. Estadio do Arruda

Location: Recife, Brazil

Opened: 1972

Capacity: 60,044

The stadium is officially named Estadio Jose do Rego Maciel, after Recife's mayor from 1952 to 1955. Commonly known as Estadio do Arruda, this multi-purpose venue is primarily used for football and is currently the home ground of the Brazilian team Santa Cruz.

The first match at the stadium took place in 1972, when Santa Cruz competed against Flamengo in a 0-0 draw, and the current record attendance at the ground stands at just over 90,000.

However, the stadium has generally been overlooked when it comes to international football, having only hosted a handful of international matches and being snubbed for the 2014 World Cup hosted in Brazil.

9. Estadio Centenario

Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

Opened: 1930

Capacity: 60,235

Estadio Centenario is the home of the Uruguay national team and has a record attendance of just under 80,000 people.

It will forever be remembered within the sport of football as it was built specifically for the 1930 FIFA World Cup – the inaugural edition of the competition. Since then, the ground has continued to be a staple piece of South American football, hosting multiple Copa America finals as well as finals of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.

In 2021, it was renovated specially for the hosting of the latter two competitions listed, costing approximately £4.5 million, which saw a new illumination system and a new pitch installed. It is also an integral part of Uruguay's bid to host the final of the 2030 World Cup, which will take place across multiple countries and continents.

8. Estadio de la UNSA

Location: Arequipa, Peru

Opened: 1993

Capacity: 60,370

The Estadio de la UNSA is a multi-purpose stadium designed to host both athletic events and football matches. It was constructed by the University of San Agustin and primarily financed through a fundraiser organised by the university's lottery. With a seating capacity of just over 60,000, it is the second-largest football stadium in Peru.

It has played an important role in South American football, hosting the first four group-stage matches in Group C of the 2004 Copa America, as well as the final of the 2003 Sudamericana final between Peruvian side Cienciano and River Plate. Partially as a result of the intimidating atmosphere conjured up inside the stadium on that day, local side Cienciano secured an unlikely 1-0 victory.

7. Arena do Gremio

Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil

Opened: 2012

Capacity: 60,540er

The Arena do Gremio, home to the Brazilian football club Gremio, is one of the most modern stadiums on this list, officially opening in 2012. The construction of the stadium cost approximately £163 million, and it is designed to accommodate a variety of sports.

Impressively, the stadium received the highest ratings in all categories from the Brazilian Ministry of Sports and was classified as a Category 4 stadium by UEFA. However, despite its sleek modern appearance and positive evaluations, the Arena do Gremio was not used as a venue during the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil. Nevertheless, it was selected as a venue for the 2019 Copa América, where it hosted a total of five matches.

Designed for multi-use purposes, the stadium features a conference and congress centre, a hotel, a shopping mall, residential housing, condominiums, and ample parking facilities.

6. Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto

Location: Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Capacity: 66, 658

Opened: 1965

The Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, commonly known as Mineirao, is the largest football stadium in its state and among the biggest stadiums in South America. It serves as the home of the Brazilian football club Cruzeiro.

Primarily used for club football, Mineirão also has a notable history in international competitions. It was a venue for the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, and it hosted several matches during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The stadium's record attendance reached an impressive 132,000 during the Campeonato Mineiro final in 1997, a match in which Cruzeiro participated.

Opened in 1965, the original construction of the stadium cost approximately £7.86 million. Mineirão has undergone renovations three times since its opening, with the most recent update completed in December 2012.

5. Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo

Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Opened: 1960

Capacity: 66,795

Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo, also known as Estadio do Morumbi or MorumBIS, has been the home of Brazilian giants Sao Paulo ever since the ground opened in 1960. Mostly known as Morumbi, the ground's official name pays homage to the Chairman of the club who oversaw the majority of its original construction.

At one point, the stadium had an official capacity of approximately 150,000, but its capacity has been reduced twice since then, first to 72,000 and then to 66,795, due to health and safety concerns. Its record attendance stands at just over 146,000 people, set in 1977 during a game between Ponte Preta and Corinthians.

Overlooked for the 2014 World Cup due to concerns regarding its financial security amid a need to renovate ahead of the tournament, the stadium was finally selected as a venue in the 2019 Copa America, hosting the opening match, where Brazil secured a 3-0 victory over Bolivia.

4. Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha

Location: Brasilia, Brazil

Opened: 1974

Capacity: 69,000

Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, also known as Estadio Nacional de Brasilia as well as simply Mane Garrincha, is one of several buildings which complete Brasilia's Ayrton Senna Sports Complex and is currently privately owned. Unsurprisingly, the ground was named after Brazilian legend Garrincha, who won two World Cups with the national team.

In 2013, the stadium was renovated after being selected as a venue in both the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup – a project which cost a staggering £700 million, making it one of the most expensive stadiums in world football.

Ever since that renovation, the stadium has been an integral part of international football in South America, after it was also used as a venue in the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2021 Copa America, too.

3. Maracana Stadium

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Opened: 1950

Capacity: 78,838

Officially named Estadio Journalista Mario Filho, the Maracana Stadium is part of a wider complex known as ‘Little Maracana' and is currently owned by the government. It is the home of both Fluminense and Flamengo and one of the biggest stadiums in South America.

The ground was purpose-built to host the 1950 World Cup final, a game in which not only did Brazil sadly lose, but also the record attendance for the Maracana was set, with reports suggesting that up to 200,000 people made their way into the stadium as spectators for the match.

The stadium played host to the World Cup final again, 64 years later, in 2014. This time, the stadium was all-seated, and a mere 74,738 showed up, which, although it is still impressive, is almost a third of the number that turned up in 1950 to put things into perspective.

Although famous for both World Cup finals, the Maracana has also been a host for multiple Copa Americas and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The opening ceremony for the Games was held at the stadium, in one of the most important cultural moments in Brazilian history.

However, the ground quickly fell into disrepair after the 2016 Olympics, with reports showcasing an abandoned pitch within a vandalised stadium. Riddled with debt, the stadium is no longer as notorious as it once was, but its legacy is undeniable.

2. Estadio Monumental

Location: Lima, Peru

Opened: 2000

Capacity: 80,000

Formerly the largest stadium in South America, Estadio Monumental is the home of Peruvian side Club Universitario de Deportes.

However, despite its size and relative stature compared to other stadiums, the ground has failed to make an impact on the international stage. Estadio Monumental was overlooked for the 2004 Copa America and, as a result, has been mostly reduced to hosting domestic fixtures. Although the ground was selected to host the 2019 Copa Libertadores final, arguably the most notable match to take place at the stadium.

While it has been influential in Peruvian football, regularly used by the national team and hosting domestic cup finals, it has certainly failed to reach its full potential so far. However, it remains one of the biggest stadiums in South America.

1. Estadio Mas Monumental

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Opened: 1938

Capacity: 84,567

Home to both Argentine giants River Plate and the Argentina national side, the Estadio Monumental has recently undergone redevelopment, costing approximately £31 million. This resulted in a massive capacity increase for the stadium, making it the largest football stadium in the whole of South America.

The stadium has a rich history that complements its enormous size. So far, it has hosted four Copa America finals, the most recent being in 2011. Additionally, it was the venue for the 1978 World Cup final, where Argentina triumphed over the Netherlands.

The Estadio Mas Monumental is also set to host one of the opening games of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Although the tournament will mainly take place in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, FIFA has scheduled three games to be played in Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first-ever World Cup held in 1930.

Beyond football, this iconic stadium has also hosted the athletics events of the first Pan American Games, along with various music concerts. Its record attendance for a football match is believed to be around 100,000, achieved during a game between River Plate and Racing Club nearly 50 years ago in 1975.