Industry News

Flamengo nets new Maracanã deal

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club Flamengo has reached an agreement to extend its stay at Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracanã stadium.

The new two-year deal between the club and Consórcio Maracanã will run until December 31, 2020. Under the agreement, Flamengo will play at least 25 games a year at the stadium from 2019.

Flamengo will be granted more freedom to add club imagery at the stadium, which has a current capacity of 78,838.

Flamengo said the deal would provide more financial benefits for the team. The club will still participate in the marketing of suites, food and beverages at the stadium and receive financial benefits through ticket revenue and a fan-partnership initiative.

Flamengo will also hold the right to promote commercial and marketing initiatives on the pitch, in the mixed zone and in the dressing room. The club will oversee responsibility for the entire operation of the stadium, which covers ticket sales, security, access, cleaning, public orientation, medical stations, electrical systems, hydraulics, internet and elevators.

Flamengo president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello said: “We and the Consórcio Maracanã have learned a lot through the process. This new contract will allow Flamengo to play in the field that has always been considered as the home of our fans, in conditions much more favourable than the current ones. All this without giving up the project to take over Maracanã definitively, once the new regulatory framework is defined.”

The Globo.com website added that Flamengo is keen on removing some seats behind the goals at the Maracanã in a move that would allow for the stadium to be expanded to a capacity of 100,000. The Maracanã has had such a capacity in the past but the stadium was renovated ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Globo added that the expansion plans still need approval from the relevant bodies.

Image: Érica Ramalho/Governo do Rio de Janeiro