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World Cup Games June 12 - July 13, 2014

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What's Where: Host Cities For the World Cup

64 Matches

12 Cities

Brazil's Host Cities

Matches for the 2014 World Cup will take place in 12 cities spread across Brazil, from the Amazon rain forest in the north to the Pampas in the south. From the opening match in São Paulo to the championship in Rio, visitors will have the chance to root for their teams in refurbished stadiums throughout Brazil while also discovering the regional richness of this immense nation.

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Maracanã Stadium Number of Matches: 7

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is home to the Maracanã Stadium, the beating heart of Brazilian soccer, and will host seven matches, including the Cup’s final match. The stadium and the surrounding area were deeply transformed for the event: the playing field was lowered, its roof was replaced, and the capacity reduced by 10,000 seats to 76,000. The arena will not be the only place in town to take in the atmosphere during the World Cup. Enjoy it at beaches like Ipanema or Copacabana, where giant screens will be set up.
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour
Arena de São Paulo Number of Matches: 6

São Paulo

Corinthians, the São Paulo–based soccer team with the largest following in Brazil, has traditionally played at the Pacaembu, a city-owned arena that is also home to the Museu do Futebol, or Soccer Museum. But for the World Cup, Corinthians is finally getting its own stadium: the Arena de São Paulo. This new stadium will host the Cup’s opening match and five others. Those without tickets can congregate at the city's bars entirely dedicated to soccer, such as the São Cristovão in Vila Madalena.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 1 hour
Estádio Nacional Number of Matches: 7

Brasília

The country’s capital, Brasília was raised from the dust in the 1950s in a huge urban development experiment that later earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. It is home to the second-largest World Cup venue: the refurbished Estádio Nacional, better known by its nickname, Mané Garrincha, after Brazil’s star player in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. It’ll host seven World Cup matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Arena Fonte Nova Number of Matches: 6

Salvador

This coastal city’s main soccer stadium was razed to make way for the new Arena Fonte Nova, which includes a shopping and entertainment complex with a museum of soccer, restaurants, and a hotel. The city, known for over-the-top street Carnival celebrations and strong Afro-Brazilian roots, will host six World Cup matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 2 hour, 15 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Estádio Mineirão Number of Matches: 6

Belo Horizonte

The Mineirão, Belo Horizonte's stadium, underwent vast refurbishing in preparation for the World Cup. It’ll remain the raucous heart of soccer in the state of Minas Gerais, and will host six matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 1 hour
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Arena Pernambuco Number of Matches: 5

Recife

The Arena Pernambuco was built from scratch in a nearby suburban town, São Lourenço da Mata, part of a huge real-estate development called Cidade da Copa, or the World Cup City. Recife, which will host five matches, has a strong football culture. The city is also investing in new transportation—a Bus Rapid Transit system and light rail—to link the suburban stadium with Recife’s tourist district, 11 miles away.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 3 hours
- Flight time from São Paulo: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Estádio das Dunas Number of Matches: 4

Natal

Perennially sunny Natal is known for its vast beaches of white sand and cobalt-blue water. Its newly constructed Estádio das Dunas, named in honor of the region's towering white dunes, lies outside the central city and will welcome four World Cup matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães Number of Matches: 4

Curitiba

This southern city has one of only two private stadiums to be used in the Cup, the Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães, owned by the Clube Atlético Paranaense team. It has always been known by its nickname, Arena da Baixada. Curitiba will host four World Cup matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Estádio Castelão Number of Matches: 6

Fortaleza

On Brazil’s stunning northernmost coast, Fortaleza has warm waters and sunshine nearly year-round. Its stadium, popularly known as Castelão, or Big Castle, was refurbished and the first to be ready for the World Cup. The city will host six matches.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Estádio Beira-Rio Number of Matches: 5

Porto Alegre

Brazil’s southernmost capital has a different feel and culture than the rest of the country, sharing much with neighboring Argentina and Uruguay. With a 51,300-seat capacity, Porto Alegre's stadium, the Beira-Rio, is one of the largest arenas in the region. Five of the Cup’s matches will be held here.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 2 hours
- Flight time from São Paulo: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Arena Pantanal Number of Matches: 4

Cuiabá

Known as a jumping-off point for exploring the Pantanal region, western Cuiabá underwent extensive renovations to host four Cup matches. Its stadium, popularly known as “Verdão” or the Big Green, was torn down to make way for the 43,000-seat Arena Pantanal. Hundreds of millions of dollars also were poured into remodeling the airport, creating an exclusive bus transport lane and a light-rail system that promise to improve congestion in the city.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Flight time from São Paulo: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Arena Amazonia Number of Matches: 4

Manaus

The playing field and bleachers at the 47,000-seat Arena Amazonia in Manaus are enclosed in metal gridwork meant to resemble a straw basket, a traditional indigenous craft. It also includes a retractable roof, which is useful in the blistering sun and torrential downpours that are near daily occurrences in the Amazon. Manaus is a great spot to catch a few matches—four will be played here—and then set off on a jungle tour.
- Flight time from Rio de Janeiro: 4 hours
- Flight time from São Paulo: 4 hours