Estádio Olímpico Monumental

Estádio Olímpico Monumental
Olímpico
Full name	Estádio Olímpico Monumental
Location	Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Coordinates	30°3′37.79″S 51°12′48.94″W / 30.0604972°S 51.2135944°W / -30.0604972; -51.2135944Coordinates: 30°3′37.79″S 51°12′48.94″W / 30.0604972°S 51.2135944°W / -30.0604972; -51.2135944
Built	1954
Opened	September 19, 1954
Renovated	1980
Owner	Grêmio
Surface	Grass
Capacity	45,000 (originally 38,000)
Field dimensions	105 x 68 m
Tenants
Grêmio

Estádio Olímpico Monumental, also known as Estádio Olímpico, is a football stadium inaugurated on September 19, 1954 in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with a maximum capacity of 45,000 people.^[1] The stadium is owned by Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense.^[1]

History

The stadium was inaugurated on September 19, 1954, with a maximum capacity of 38,000 people.^[2] In 1980, the stadium was expanded, and its capacity increased to 85,000 people.^[2] In 1990, the upper ring bleachers were numbered, and the Olímpico Monumental's capacity decreased to 51,081 people.^[2]

The inaugural match was played on September 19, 1954, when Grêmio beat Nacional of Uruguay 2-0.^[1] The first goal of the stadium was scored by Grêmio's player Vitor.^[1]

The stadium's attendance record currently stands at 85,721, set on April 26, 1981, when Ponte Preta beat Grêmio 1-0.^[1]

Grêmio won the Copa Libertadores at Estádio Olímpico Monumental on July 29, 1983, after defeating Peñarol from Uruguay in a difficult match.^[2]

Other Uses

The stadium is also used for large concerts. The first concert in the history of the stadium was the former member of the band The Police, the singer-songwriter Sting. In this concert, 60,000 people were at the stadium cheer him, and this is one of the largest international shows that have passed through the city of Porto Alegre. Two years later, it was time for Rod Stewart to perform at the stadium. Around 30,000 people attended the concert, this one with a less impressive number, considering that the singer performed in Florianopolis in the same week, emptying the show in Porto Alegre. In October 2001, the legend Eric Clapton performed for a fully packed stadium. In 2002, Roger Waters and the band Rush performed at sold-out stadium. The last show that the stadium has hosted was the Lenny Kravitz in 2005, where also was a large audience.

External links

• Stadium picture

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Olímpico" (in Portuguese). Cadastro Nacional de Estadios do Futebol. http://www.cbf.com.br/cnef/cnef.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro Lance Volume 2. Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A. 2001. pp. 471–473. ISBN 85-88651-01-7.