Estádio

Estádio is the Portuguese term for a stadium, a large venue designed to host sports events, performances, and mass gatherings. The word derives from Latin stadi- through Greek stadíon, referring originally to a place or area where spectators could stand to watch athletic contests.

Modern estádios typically consist of a seating bowl arranged around a central field or stage, with tiered seating, concourses, and facilities for players, media, and spectators. They may be open-air or enclosed, and some employ retractable roofs or modular seating to adapt to different events. Important design considerations include sightlines, acoustics, accessibility, crowd management, and safety provisions.

Estádios are multifunctional infrastructures used for football (soccer) matches, athletics, rugby, concerts, and large events. They are often owned or operated by municipalities, sports clubs, or private consortia and may involve significant public investment. Capacity ranges from several thousand to over 80,000, and modern venues emphasize versatility, sustainability, and urban integration.

The concept has ancient roots in Greek and Roman architecture, but the modern stadium emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries with fixed seating, improved facilities, and standardized safety codes. In the Lusophone world, notable examples include Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, and Estádio do Morumbi in São Paulo.