Stadiums Built Over Ancient Ruins and Historic Landmarks

5. Arena da Amazônia – Manaus, Brazil

Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Arena da Amazônia, built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, was constructed over what archaeologists believe were pre-Columbian indigenous settlements. The Amazon was home to large, sophisticated civilizations before European contact, and traces of their earthworks, ceramics, and burial sites have been found near and beneath the stadium. The stadium’s construction drew controversy as some indigenous groups claimed it disturbed sacred land. Despite this, Arena da Amazônia remains a symbol of Brazil’s deep historical layers—where football and ancient cultures collide. Built Over: Pre-Columbian Settlements.