Estádio do Pacaembu

Pacaembu was inaugurated on 27 April 1940 as a modern municipal stadium and quickly became the heart of football in São Paulo. Its Art Deco architecture, with a distinctive monumental entrance, still defines the surrounding district.

Milestones

The ground originally held more than 40,000 spectators, and its attendance record of 71,281 was set on 24 May 1942, when Corinthians and São Paulo drew 3–3. For decades Corinthians played most of their home matches here until Arena Corinthians opened in 2014; Palmeiras also used it as a temporary home between 2010 and 2014 while Allianz Parque was built. Recognising its exceptional value, the state council CONDEPHAAT heritage-listed the stadium in 1998. In 2008 the Museu do Futebol was added. Since 2021 the venue has undergone a sweeping renovation under the Allegra Pacaembu concession: the south stand was demolished and a five-storey building constructed, with the stadium reopening on 27 January 2025.

Pacaembu occupies a special place in the memory of Brazilian supporters. For generations it staged the great derbies and finals of São Paulo football, and its steep stands could generate a deafening backdrop. As the effective home of Corinthians, it gathered the most passionate moments of the club and the city alike.

Atmosphere and experience

The attendance record of 71,281 from 1942 still illustrates the enormous crowds the ground once held. Beyond league battles it hosted classic finals and international fixtures, and its name is inseparable from the golden age of paulistano football.

• Great São Paulo derbies and iconic Corinthians matches
• The Museu do Futebol beneath the Tobogã stand, an interactive tribute to Brazilian football
• An atmosphere heightened by its Art Deco architecture and the adjacent Praça Charles Miller

Following its renovation, the stadium aims to reconnect its historic aura with modern comfort.

The stadium stands in the Pacaembu neighbourhood, bordering Consolação and only a short distance from central São Paulo. It faces Praça Charles Miller, the square named after the pioneer of Brazilian football.

Practical information

• Location: Pacaembu district, São Paulo; entrance from Praça Charles Miller
• Getting there: the nearest metro is Clínicas (Line 2 – Green), with Consolação also close; reachable by bus and taxi/ride apps
• Museum: the Museu do Futebol beneath the Tobogã stand — check current opening hours given the ongoing works
• Renovation: the complex was rebuilt under the Allegra Pacaembu concession (Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu), reopening on 27 January 2025
• Nearby: the elegant residential Pacaembu district, parks, cafés and the cultural landmarks of central São Paulo

Before visiting, it is worth confirming the current programme and the accessibility of individual areas of the complex.