The FIFA World Cup 2014 saw 12 stadia in Brazil open for the charged and exciting games (don’t mention England’s dismal performance!). Two Brazilian stadia were given an extensive renovation for the event, both receiving new façades created with the use of stainless steel and leaving a useful and lasting legacy to the inhabitants of the area.

One of the stadia to receive a much-needed facelift was Allianz Park Palmeiras, located in Brazil’s bustling capital city of São Paulo. Named after a popular local football team, the stadium seats 45,000 people during football matches and can comfortably accommodate 60,000 people for other events such as concerts. Renowned architectural office Edo Rocha Arquitetura designed the project, which uses huge pieces of stainless steel sheet driven through with strategically-placed holes that, as well as creating a stunning and imposing architectural beauty, cleverly facilitate air circulation throughout the stadium to maintain a cool and comfortable atmosphere.   

Castelão, a stadium located in Fortaleza City in Brazil’s north-easterly region, hosted six matches in this year’s World Cup, seating up to 64,000 fans. Two full years of various refurbishments led up to the event, many of which made extensive use of stainless steel. As well as internal fixtures and fittings such as locks, lavatories, railings and handrails, stainless steel was used to create the external frame and façade. The metal was chosen by architect Ronald Fiedler “for the durability stainless steel provides, which is essential to areas like the façade that required a corrosion-resistant material, and for its noble appearance, required in the hospitality sector”.

Once again, stainless steel proves its incredible versatility by facilitating the improvement and renovation of these important stadia.

To find out more about our range of quality products, including stainless steel sheet and stainless steel banding, please call us on +44 (0) 1772 337555 or email info@bsstainless.co.uk.