Built between 2011 and 2014 for the FIFA World Cup, the Amazon Arena is a 42,000 all-seater capacity stadium that is the refurbishment of the Estadio Vivaldao. The stadium is set in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest and boasts being a sustainable project that is designed to resemble a straw basket the region is famous for.
The only complaint about the arena seems to be its playing surface which was damaged due to excessive use of fertilizer and faces a race against time being ready for the four matches the stadium will host at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Despite concerns that the stadium would be ready on time the stadium opened on the 9th of March 2014 with a cup game between Nacional FC (The future tenants) and Remo.
The stadiums four World Cup matches are England v Italy in Group D, Cameroon v Croatia in Group A, United States v Portugal in Group G and Honduras v Switzerland in Group E.
Roy Hodgson voiced concern about the location of the venue in such a hot and humid part of Brazil, a climate that he believes is not suitable for playing football.
Source: DSG
