Mind-Blowing Stadiums Built on or Near the Water

By

Lisette Marie

June 27, 2025

17. Arena Pernambuco – Recife, Brazil

Itaipava Arena Pernambuco - Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Portal da Copa/ME

Located just west of the vibrant coastal city of Recife, Arena Pernambuco is a modern architectural gem that merges sport with sustainability. While not perched directly on the beach, the stadium is part of a larger urban development that sits near the Capibaribe River and benefits from the lush, tropical scenery of northeastern Brazil. Built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this 46,000-seat venue features sleek lines and open-air design that invites in the region’s balmy breezes. What sets it apart is its eco-conscious infrastructure, including a solar power plant that helps offset the stadium's energy consumption. With Recife’s famed beaches, lagoons, and mangroves just a short drive away, Arena Pernambuco offers a unique blend of world-class football and the vibrant rhythms of Brazil’s Atlantic coast. It’s a stadium where modern innovation meets natural beauty, providing an unforgettable match-day experience.

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