14 Historic Stadiums Reborn: Where Sports Legends Now Host Epic Events

3. Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): Reimagined for a Nation's Passion

Brazil's beloved Maracanã, once the world's largest stadium, has undergone multiple rebirths to stay relevant. Built for the 1950 World Cup, its most significant modernization for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics included replacing the lower tier to improve sightlines, adding a new roof, and installing more comfortable seating. While reducing capacity, these changes preserved its core bowl structure, ensuring it remained the vibrant heart of Brazilian football. It continues to host major international matches, local derbies, and grand ceremonies, echoing with the passion of a nation that reveres its history.