The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles are heading down to São Paulo, Brazil, for an unprecedented trip and unique Friday night game. Few fans will be surprised to learn that it will be the first NFL game in Brazil or anywhere else in South America, for that matter. But with little football-specific infrastructure in the country, where exactly will the two teams play?
Information on Corinthians Arena Ahead of Packers vs. Eagles in Brazil
Packers and Eagles will face off in the legendary Corinthians Arena, home of the Brazilian football (or, to us, soccer) team of the same name. This legendary venue has played host to some epic matches since opening in 2014, and now it’s going to be the site of its most unique contest yet.
It’s been a long and winding path to mere existence for this stadium, as the project dates back to the late 1970s in some respects. Back then, the team’s current stadium held just 14,000 spectators, and as a major Brazilian club, they simply needed more.
While there was a larger venue in the city, it had to be shared between several teams, also a suboptimal situation for a club of Corinthians’ stature. However, between securing approvals and funding, the project stalled until 2010.
The original plan was to build a stadium with a capacity of around 200,000 fans, a staggering number that is simply not congruent with how modern venues are planned. The plans were revised, and the new stadium was erected in time for the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil, as well as the 2016 Olympics in nearby Rio de Janeiro.
The construction project took about three years and cost just under $200 million USD, according to Reuters. There was some public backlash in terms of funding distribution, but due in part to the major tournaments coming to the region in the ensuing years, the project was prioritized and made its way through the criticism.
Curiously enough, this venue has been called by a handful of names in its short lifespan. It was known as Arena de São Paulo during that World Cup, perhaps for clarity to an international audience.
It’s officially titled as the Neo Química Arena for sponsorship purposes, although not frequently referred to as such, much like how most NFL fans think of the home of the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs as Arrowhead Stadium rather than GEHA Field.
The stadium’s official capacity is 47,252 spectators, but it has filled far beyond that mark in the past, most notably during the 2014 World Cup when 63,267 fans packed the stands for a match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and the Netherlands, a 0-0 draw.
It’s been a tough year for Corinthians, who are currently in danger of being relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, the second tier of Brazilian men’s football. Hopefully, hosting this game between two exciting NFC squads will provide some excitement for fans in attendance and perhaps even create a foundation for a lifetime fandom of a new type of football.
