Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos

History

Construction and opening

The stadium cost (US$192 million) to build, which was six times the stadium's original construction budget of R$60,000,000 The Mayor's office estimated in 2003 that the total construction cost would be of R$60 million (US$30 million); the actual cost was thus 533% higher than early estimates.

The stadium opened on 30 June 2007. The first match held was a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A game between Botafogo and Fluminense. 40,000 tickets were available for the match and were exchanged for donations of powdered milk. In all, 43,810 people were at the stadium to watch the inaugurating match, where Botafogo beat Fluminense 2–1. The first goal of the match was scored by Fluminense's Alex Dias. As Dias scored the first goal in the stadium's history, he was awarded the Valdir Pereira Trophy (Taça Valdir Pereira), which was named after retired footballer Didi. Because Botafogo won the stadium's inaugural match, the club was awarded the João Havelange Trophy (Taça João Havelange).

Pan American Games, Botafogo, and the Olympics

During the course of the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro in July, the stadium hosted athletics competitions, in addition to twelve games of the first stage of the men's and women's football tournaments. After the conclusion of the games, on 3 August 2007, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas signed a deal with the City of Rio de Janeiro to lease the stadium for 20 years. Botafogo was the only organization to present a bid; the club agreed to pay $18.200 (or R$36.000) a month to lease Engenhão, plus maintenance costs which run at $2 million (or R$4 million) annually. On 11 August 2007, a 15-meter long and 6-meter high stadium wall collapsed, but nobody was hurt. On 10 September 2008, the Brazilian national team played for the first time at the Engenhão. The match, against Bolivia, for 2010 World Cup Qualification, ended 0–0.

The stadium remains owned by the City of Rio de Janeiro, but it has been leased to Botafogo until at least 2051 (20 years). The Engenhão was the main venue for top football competitions in Rio de Janeiro while the Maracanã Stadium was being renovated in preparation for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Flamengo and Fluminense played their home matches at the Engenhão from the 2010–11 through 2012–13 seasons. The stadium was closed during two years in March 2013 after it was found the structural integrity of the roof was not up to standard. It was announced on 8 June 2013, that the stadium would need a minimum of 18 months of reconstruction work and remain closed until 2015 while the repairs were carried out to the roof. The Stadium was reopened since 2015 for the Olympic Games Rio 2016

Biggest audiences

These are the ten biggest crowds at the Nilton Santos Stadium, in Botafogo games

Transportation

From Zona Sul (South Zone), Downtown, Tijuca or Barra, passengers can go to Central do Brasil subway and train station, and from there reach Nilton Santos stadium in 25 minutes taking the Japeri, Santa Cruz or Deodoro lines, leaving the train in Olímpica de Engenho de Dentro station. To go back Downtown, Zona Sul, Tijuca or Barra, the fans must leave the stadium and go to the west sector with the south sector (Rua José dos Reis with Rua Arquias Cordeiro), continue to the station (Olímpica de Engenho de Dentro) and take the train to Central do Brasil.

Tournament results

2016 Summer Olympics

2021 Copa América

Concerts

Gallery

File:Estádio Municipal João Havelange 14072007.jpg|Exterior shot of the stadium during the 2007 Pan American Games, looking from the east, July 2007 File:Estádio Municipal João Havelange.jpg|Exterior shot of the stadium looking form the north west, November 2007 File:Loucos pelo Botafogo.jpg|Botafogo fans setting off flares during a Série A game at the stadium, May 2008. File:Botafogo x Santos (2008) estádio cheio.JPG|Interior view of the stadium, looking towards the eastern grandstand, October 2008 File:Engenhão panorâmica (12-OUT-2009).jpg|Panoramic shot of the stadium during a Série A football match, October 2009 File:Estátua Nílton Santos.JPG|The statue of footballer Nilton Santos, situated outside the stadium, November 2009

References

References

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11. As per the average exchange rate in 2007.
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13. Rangel, Sérgio. (23 May 2007). "Vereadores do Rio aprovam CPI para investigar o Pan-2007". Folha de S.Paulo.
14. estádio olimpico de atletismo detalhado e demarcado
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33. (10 August 2017). "Botafogo faz gols-relâmpago, elimina Nacional". UOL.
34. (2025-04-03). "Stray Kids reúne 55 mil pessoas em show no Rio; veja o setlist completo".