The list of properties in the state of Rio de Janeiro that can go up for auction, whose inclusion of Maracanã was proposed last Wednesday (22), was created to pay off a debt with the Union that includes the renovation of the stadium itself for the 2014 World Cup.
The idea of including the stadium was proposed by state deputy Rodrigo Amorim (União), president of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) and government leader in Alerj (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro).
The proposal also involves the Maracanãzinho gymnasium and the Maracanã village, land where the former Indian Museum was located and which is now inhabited by representatives of the city’s indigenous community. The village is next to the stadium.
The Cláudio Castro (PL) government was approached to comment on the proposal, but did not respond.
In the state’s budget bill for 2026, the debt framework includes two stages of financing for the renovation of the stadium: one of R$400 million with BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development), signed in 2011, and another US$120.6 million with CAF, the development bank of Latin America, signed in 2012.
The debt balance totaled R$190.8 million in September — R$67.4 million with BNDES, and R$123.4 million with CAF.
Payment of the debt with the Brazilian development bank is monthly and ends in August 2026; The debt with the Latin American bank is paid off every six months and has a term until November 2027.
Maracanã is managed by a concessionaire formed by Flamengo and Fluminense, winner of last year’s tender. The contract is expected to last 20 years. The two clubs play matches at the stadium, with Vasco as the eventual host, in addition to the Brazilian team.
“Maracanã could soon become a ‘white elephant’ with the end of the Flamengo/Fluminense concession. Therefore, we are providing instruments for public authorities to anticipate and adopt responsible planning, which guarantees predictability and treats this heritage with respect”, said deputy Rodrigo Amorim, in a note.
“The proposal to include these public facilities was born out of concern about the state’s accounts. The objective is to reduce expenses, generate revenue and ensure the social function of the property.”
From the initial list of properties subject to auction, the Alerj commission excluded 16 and included another 30. Among the exclusions is the Caio Martins stadium, in Niterói, the field where Botafogo hosted games between the 1980s and 2000s. The list now has 62 properties, including 28 owned by Uerj (University of the State of Rio de Janeiro). There are addresses in the center, in the north and in the south.
The list will be discussed in plenary, and deputies will be able to propose amendments including or excluding properties. The current forecast is that the state will have to pay R$12.33 billion in 2026 in public debt services.
Maracanã has been listed by Iphan (Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage) since 2000. Members of the institute interviewed by Sheet under reservation, they stated that the stadium’s listing does not prevent the sale, it only imposes restrictions on the mischaracterization.
The renovation of Maracanã for the 2014 World Cup generated demonstrations due to the mischaracterization of the original architecture and was marked as one of the sources of corruption in the alleged bribery scheme of then-governor Sérgio Cabral — he denies it.
Before the World Cup, the Government of Rio de Janeiro had chosen a consortium, formed by Odebrecht, AEG and IMX, to manage the stadium.
Changes in the project, the crisis caused by Operation Lava Jato and questions about the bidding made the concession the subject of constant conflicts. One of them, after the 2016 Olympic Games, caused the stadium to be abandoned, leaving the grass yellow.
The soap opera with Odebrecht ended in 2019, with the breach of the contract during the administration of Governor Wilson Witzel. Flamengo and Fluminense provisionally took over management of the stadium at the time. The contract was renewed every six months for five years, until the 2024 tender.
The stadium, opened for the 1950 World Cup, the first in Brazil, turned 75 years old in June at risk of being less used, as Flamengo bought land with plans to build a stadium, and Vasco is moving ahead with the approval of the renovation of São Januário, which should double the current capacity.
