Estádio São Januário
Estádio Vasco da Gama, also known as São Januário, owing to its location on a street of the same name, is the home ground of Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama. Its facade is listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage.
São Januário | |
Sisbrace | |
| Full name | Estádio Vasco da Gama |
|---|---|
| Location | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 22°53′27.30″S 43°13′41.71″W |
| Owner | Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama |
| Operator | Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama |
| Capacity | 24,584 (currently 21,880) |
| Record attendance | 40,209 (Vasco da Gama 0–2 Londrina, February 19, 1978) |
| Field size | 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1926-1927 |
| Opened | April 21, 1927 |
| Renovated | 2006, 2012 |
| Architect | Ricardo Severo |
| Tenants | |
| Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama | |
It is located in the Vasco da Gama neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on a hill near the National Observatory of Brazil. Because of its position it is often referred to as Estádio da Colina (Hill's Stadium) which in turn has given Vasco the nickname of Gigante da Colina (Hill's Giant). It is one of the few Association Football specific stadiums in the world which has both team benches and coaching areas behind the goal line at the same end of the field.
The stadium had a capacity of 24,584 and it was inaugurated on April 21, 1927, with the presence of Washington Luís, Brazilian president in that time. The first event held in the stadium was a match between Vasco and Santos, which Santos won. The stadium stands as the biggest private venue in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
This stadium has also historic importance, because Brazilian president Getúlio Vargas used it many times to do deliver speeches to the Brazilian people. Vargas announced the first Brazilian work laws on the tribune of São Januário.
Vasco da Gama, owner of São Januário, is the only major football club in Rio de Janeiro to have its private stadium. Other major clubs (Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo) rent their stadiums (Flamengo and Fluminense play at Maracanã which is owned by the state of Rio de Janeiro, while Botafogo plays at Estádio Nilton Santos which is owned by the city of Rio de Janeiro).