Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos

Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos is a multi-purpose stadium commonly used for Soccer (Football). The stadium was inaugurated on 30th June, 2007 and was formerly known as Estádio Olímpico João Havelange in remembrance of Jean-Marie Faustin Godefroid "João" de Havelange who was the seventh President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association “(FIFA”). The stadium is located in Engenho de Dentro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The first event, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, was held on 30th June, 2007, between Botafago Club and Fluminense Club. Botafago won the inaugural match with a score of 2-1 against Fluminense and were awarded with the João Havelange Trophy.

The first goal was made by Alex Dias de Almeida of Fluminense Football Club in the inaugural event and was awarded with the Valdir Pereira Trophy (Taça Valdir Pereira) that was named after retired footballer Didi (Waldyr Pereira for making the first goal in the inaugural match.

The stadium has hosted the 2007 Pan American Games and also the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2016 Paralympics games.

Moreover, it was one of the five venues for the 2021 Copa America.

Teams & Facilites

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas also known as Botafogo is a Brazilian football club that has made this stadium its home ground since the year 2007 along with the Brazilian National Football Team.

The stadium has capacity to hold approximately 45,000 spectators but in the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the capacity was expanded to host 60,000 spectators.

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas club is the operator of the arena and Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro is the owner of the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos.

Architectural Facts

The budget used to construct the stadium was 192 million US dollars and Carlos Porto was the architect of the arena.  The construction of the arena began in the year 2003 and was completed in the year 2007. The construction was undertaken by the Brazilian government.

In 2013, the structural issues caused the stadium to be closed for repair and redevelopment. Thereafter, it was again reopened in the year 2016. The size of the arena’s field is 105 m (344 ft.) in length and 68 m (223 ft.) in width. The stadium has been a major ground for football.

Construction

84,000 m3 (2966432 ft3) of concrete was used in the construction along with 7,115 tons of steel. The metal roof structure was constructed using 3,500 tons of steel.

Capacity of the Arena

There are nearly 45,217 Bleachers (tier of plastic seats) with 21,549 in the upper ring in the east and west of the stadium and 23,668 in the lower ring. Tribunes, boxes and east central area are equipped with 1,364 seats. Estadio Nilton Santos can also accommodate wheelchair users with up to 250 seats.

Inside of the Stadium

There are sixteen Radio stations and four TV screens (two electronic scoreboards and two projection screens) in the stadium. It is equipped with sixty toilets and twenty two bars for the public.

There are nine running tracks and the ground in the middle of the stadium is covered with natural grass for Pole vault, Shot Put, Discus throw, Hammer throw, Javelin throw and Soccer. There are two sectors for Triple Jump and High Jump along with track darts.

Parking facilities

The stadium provides nearly 1,660 covered spaces, 220 spaces for VIPs, officials and guests. Ten places for the bus parking. It also provides seven outside van broadcast compounds.

Significance

• In the 2007 Pan American Games held at Rio de Janeiro in July, the stadium hosted athletics competitions with addition to twelve games of the first stage of the men’s and women’s football tournaments.
• After the games ended in 2007, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas signed a deal with the city of Rio de Janerio to rent the stadium for 20 years.
• On 22 and 23 May 2011, the Up and Coming Tour of Paul McCartney was organized and on 5th and 6th October 2011, Justin Bierber- My World Tour was organized with 46,533 audiences.
• In March 2012, The Wall Live concert tour by Roger Waters was organized in which around 43,046 people had attended.
• Not in This Lifetime Tour, a concert tour by hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, was organized with 50,234 spectators.