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Arena BsB takes full control of Estádio Mane Garrincha

The Arena BsB consortium has secured full control of Brasilia’s Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha through a 35-year deal that will seek to transform the venue and generate thousands of jobs for locals.

Last July, Arena BsB reached a deal with Brazil’s Distrito Federal government to assume control of the 72,000-seat stadium, which opened in 1974 and underwent extensive renovation work ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The government transferred full control of the stadium to Arena BsB on Tuesday. Arena BsB will also assume control of the 24,000-seat Ginásio Nilson Nelson arena and the Cláudio Coutinho Aquatic Complex.

The deal will result in large-scale renovations on the site, with Arena BsB expected to invest R$700m (£128m/€150m/$166m) over the course of the 35-year contract. Arena BsB chief executive Richard Dubois also suggested that the stadium could be renamed in the future.

It is hoped the agreement will deliver major events such as concerts to the stadium and reduce its reliance on sporting fixtures. Maroon 5 has already been pencilled in to perform at the stadium on March 3, while the Ginásio Nilson Nelson will host a UFC event on March 14.

The stadium hosted seven matches during the World Cup, including Argentina’s quarter-final win over Belgium and Brazil’s third-place play-off defeat to the Netherlands.

Image: Brazilian Government