How to Attend a Soccer Game in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is perhaps best known for its stellar soccer players and excellent national team. From Pele to Ronaldinho, Brazil has produced some of the world's best soccer players and won more World Cup titles than any other team in the game's history. Brazilians love soccer and there is nothing quite like watching a game in the world's largest soccer stadium, Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Plan your trip to Brazil during the soccer season. If you are a huge soccer fan you will want to attend a championship game. There are championship games between regional teams as well as national teams from around the world. Check the FIFA and CBF Web sites for schedules (see Resources, below).

2. Buy your tickets in advance. Championship or tournament games are more likely to sell out than regular league games, but it is best to buy your tickets ahead of time just in case.

3. Know which team you are rooting for and be sure to sit in that team's section. Brazilian fans are passionate about their teams. You would not want to anger dedicated fans by sitting in their section and rooting for their rivals.

4. Buy a jersey for the team you like and wear it to the game. Jerseys are sold outside the stadium as well as at shops throughout the city. To be safe, you can always buy the yellow and green jersey of the Selecao Brasileira, or National Brazilian Team.

5. Get to the stadium early and expect to wait in line.

6. Watch the game and cheer as loudly as the people around you.

Tips & Warnings

• Some travel agencies offer guided tours of the Maracana Stadium which include tickets to a game. The tour of the stadium concludes with the game. This is a good option if you want the security of going in a group. Also included in some packages is transportation to and from the stadium, which can save time and money.

• If you would rather watch a local team in a smaller venue, there are other stadiums in Rio de Janeiro that may be less expensive. These games may not be as showy but the spirit of the players will be just as bright and the fans just as fervent. Ask at the front desk of your hotel for information about smaller venues.

• Brazilians take soccer very seriously and can be fanatical about their soccer team. Most people have a favorite team that they ardently support all season long and they do not appreciate rivals. So do be careful not to provoke fans that are not rooting for your team.