Castelão (Maranhão)

The Estádio Governador João Castelo (also known as the "Castelão") is a multi-use stadium inaugurated on March 9, 1975 in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, with a maximum capacity of 70,000 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, Moto Club and Maranhão. 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.

The inaugural match was played on February 5, 1982, when the Brazil national team beat the Portugal national team 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 beat Sampaio Corrêa 5-1. This Copa CONMEBOL match broke the previously attendance record, which was 95,000 people (Moto Club 3-1 Sampaio Corrêa, played in 1987).

References

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

External links

* [http://mavalem.sites.uol.com.br/ma/SaoLuis1.htm Templos do Futebol]