The Estádio Governador João Castelo, also known as the Castelão, is a multi-purpose stadium

Multi-purpose stadium

Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of stadium designed in such a way as to be easily used by multiple sports. While any stadium could potentially host more than one sport, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multi-functionality over specificity...

 inaugurated on March 9, 1975 in São Luís, Maranhão

Maranhão

Maranhão is a northeastern state of Brazil. To the north lies the Atlantic Ocean. Maranhão is neighbored by the states of Piauí, Tocantins and Pará. The people of Maranhão have a distinctive accent...

, Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

, with a maximum capacity of 75,263 people in a three-tier configuration. The stadium is owned by the Maranhão state Government, and is the home ground of Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube

Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube

Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube, usually known as Sampaio Corrêa, is a Brazilian football club from São Luís, Maranhão state, founded on March 25, 1923....

, Moto Club

Moto Club de São Luís

Moto Club de São Luís, usually known simply as Moto Club, is a Brazilian football club based in São Luís, Maranhão.-History:The club was founded on September 13, 1937, in São Luís, Maranhão state, as Ciclo Moto...

 and Maranhão

Maranhão Atlético Clube

Maranhão Atlético Clube, usually known as Maranhão or MAC, is a Brazilian football club from São Luís, Maranhão state.-History:Maranhão Atlético Clube was founded on September 24, 1932....

. Its formal name honors João Castelo Ribeiro Gonçalves, Maranhão governor from 1979 to 1982.

History

Castelão was completed in 1982 and was inaugurated on February 5 of that year, when the Brazil national team

Brazil national football team

The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...

 beat the Portugal national team

Portugal national football team

The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...

 3-1. The first goal of the stadium was scored by Brazil's Júnior.

The stadium's attendance record currently stands at 97,720, set on September 24. 1998, when Santos

Santos Futebol Clube

Santos Futebol Clube is a Brazilian professional football club based in Santos, São Paulo They play in the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest professional leagues in São Paulo state and Brazil, respectively....

 beat Sampaio Corrêa 5-1. This Copa CONMEBOL

Copa CONMEBOL

The Copa CONMEBOL was an annual football cup competition organized by CONMEBOL between 1992 and 1999 for eligible South American football clubs. During its time of existence, it was the third most prestigious South American club football contest after the Copa Libertadores and Supercopa...

match broke the previously attendance record, which was 95,000 people (Moto Club 3-1 Sampaio Corrêa, played in 1987).

External links

• Templos do Futebol