Maracana set for £175m facelift ahead of 2014 World Cup
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Maracana set for £175m facelift ahead of 2014 World Cup
Brazil will spend £175m renovating Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana Stadium in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.
The stadium, which was opened for the 1950 World Cup and staged the final, will be closed while the majority of the work is carried out.
Originally built to hold 200,000 fans, the capacity will be reduced from its present 87,000 to 82,000 at world governing body Fifa's recommendation.
The facade will remain and a roof will be added to the five-storey structure.
Work on the stadium will begin in March and it will be closed altogether in August and is expected to be reopened in December 2012.
Rio de Janeiro tourism secretary Marcia Lins said: "It will hold fewer people, but with better quality."
The renovation includes upgraded changing rooms, a new area for the media, new seats, toilets and restaurants while the northern area of the city has also been earmarked for regeneration.
bbc