Arena da Baixada

Arena da Baixada

Arena CAP
The new Arena da Baixada, built for the 2014 World Cup
Full name	Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães
Former names	Kyocera Arena
Location	Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Coordinates	25°26′54″S 49°16′37″W / 25.44833°S 49.27694°W / -25.44833; -49.27694Coordinates: 25°26′54″S 49°16′37″W / 25.44833°S 49.27694°W / -25.44833; -49.27694
Owner	Clube Atlético Paranaense
Operator	CAP S/A
Capacity	42,372[1]
Record attendance	39,375 (Australia vs Spain, June 23, 2014)
Field size	105 x 68 m (344 x 223 ft)
Surface	Bermuda Tifway 419
Construction
Broke ground	December 1, 1997
Opened	June 24, 1999
Renovated	2009, 2012–2014
Tenants
Atlético Paranaense 2014 FIFA World Cup
Website
www.cbf.com.br

The stadium Joaquim Américo Guimarães is the home stadium of Clube Atlético Paranaense (CAP). It is located in Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná, Brazil. Known as Arena da Baixada, the soccer stadium was the first in Brazil to sell its naming rights. It was known as Kyocera Arena between 2005 and April 1, 2008. Additionally, the stadium is perhaps best known for being the first retractable roof stadium in Latin America.^[2] With Curitiba selected as one of the host cities of World Cup 2014, the arena between 2012 and 2014 was rebuilt. Its capacity was expanded to roughly 40,000 seats.

Located in the Água Verde near the center of Curitiba, the history of the athletic stadium began in the early twentieth century, when in 1914, Joaquim Américo Guimarães, then president of the International (the forefathers of Atlético Paranaense Club), led the construction of the then Green Water Baixada stadium. Atletico came into existence ten years later, inheriting the assets, including the stadium.

History

The stadium was built at the previous location of a Brazilian Army powder depot. In 1934, the stadium was renamed Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães. In the 1970s, the original stadium was closed down. After being reopened in 1984 and operating for some years, the old stadium building was demolished on March 26, 1997, right after a construction project of a new arena was announced. In June 1999, the new stadium was built. In 2005, the stadium was renamed Kyocera Arena, after the Japanese company Kyocera purchased the naming rights.

The inaugural match of the old stadium was played on September 6, 1914, when Flamengo beat Internacional 7–1. The first goal of the stadium was scored by Flamengo's Arnaldo.

The inaugural match of the new building was played on June 24, 1999, when Atlético Paranaense beat Cerro Porteño of Paraguay 2–1. The first goal of the stadium after its reinauguration was scored by Atlético's Lucas.

The stadium's attendance record currently stands at 31,740,^[3] set on December 16, 2001 when Atlético Paranaense beat São Caetano 4–2, on the first game of that year's Brazilian Championship finals. Although the stadium was not the venue of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the Estádio Vila Capanema was the venue for Curitiba as a host city of the event.

The contract with Kyocera that gave the company naming rights expired in early 2008. It was not renewed, and no new partnership was announced. The stadium went back to its old name, Arena da Baixada.^[4]

2014 FIFA World Cup

Arena da Baixada in match between Iran and Nigeria, 16 June 2014, FIFA World Cup

Ever since renovation works were completed in June 1999, the historic Estádio Joaquim Américo has been considered one of Brazil’s most modern and best-appointed stadiums.

It came as no surprise, therefore, that the home ground of Atlético Paranaense, which was originally constructed back in 1914, was among those venues chosen to host games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Prior to welcoming the global showpiece, however, the stadium underwent another set of renovation works completed in 2014. Among other development are a series of improvements in facilities and the addition of rows of extra seats parallel to the pitch. This resulted in an increased capacity of 40,000, which made it possible for the stadium to welcome four World Cup matches.^[5]

Construction of the stadium was not without its share of difficulties. Building work at the stadium was suspended in October 2013 on the orders of a Brazilian labor tribunal due to numerous and serious safety breaches. “Countless infractions have been committed, in various stages of the building project,” wrote the judge Lorena Colnago in her decision, the Paraná Regional Labor Tribunal said in a statement.^[6] Subsequently, the planned retractable roof for the stadium was canceled.^[7] In late 2014, construction of the planned retractable roof resumed. With the completion of the project in 2015, Arena da Baixada became the first stadium in Latin America with a retractable roof.^[8]

The first match to be held during the world cup was played between Iran and Nigeria, on June 16, ending with no goals.

Date	Time (UTC-03)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
June 16, 2014	16:00	Iran	0–0	Nigeria	Group F	39,081
June 20, 2014	19:00	Honduras	1–2	Ecuador	Group E	39,224
June 23, 2014	13:00	Australia	0–3	Spain	Group B	39,375
June 26, 2014	17:00	Algeria	1–1	Russia	Group H	39,311

References

Books

• Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro, Volume 2 - Lance, Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A, 2001.

Websites

External links

• Arena da Baixada - by Atlético Paranaense official website
• CAP S/A – by CAP S/A website
• Baixada - by Furacao.com website