Arena do Gremio

Arena do Gremio is a multi-use stadium in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. It was inaugurated on December 8, 2012.

It is used mostly for football matches and as the home stadium of Gremio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, replacing the Estadio Olimpico Monumental. With a 60,540 capacity (55,662 current official capacity), the stadium is one of the most modern venues in South America.

History

In the mid-2000s, an idea came within the Gremio, to build a new stadium to host matches of the Tricolor. The idea was carried out in 2006 with the beginning of the work viability studies. The objective was to make a self-sustaining stadium, unlike the Estadio Olimpico Monumental, that was already falling apart. In May 2006, the Gremio's master patrimonial plan was formulated, which, precisely, headed the project. From there began a discussion about the construction place, in the current location of Olimpico or in a new place. In November 2006, aiming to dispel this doubt, was made a pre-feasibility study for the construction of a new stadium, with the Dutch company Amsterdam Advisory Arena. The conclusion was that the Estadio Olimpico would not meet the expectations of the club, due to high maintenance cost, age of construction, low standard of comfort, security and services, insufficient parking and location in very populated region. This combination of factors led the club to opt for building an Arena, with the financial assistance of partners, with the standard required by FIFA.

Beginning of construction

In October 2009, fences were installed to surround the region. On May 13, 2010, a flagpole with the Gremio's flag was inaugurated on the ground.

The official launch of the works took place on September 20, 2010, after a motorcade output from the Estadio Olimpico. On the same day, at the ceremony of start of construction, Hugo de Leon planted a patch of grass of Olimpico on the Arena ground after landing in a helicopter. Later, the former footballer represented symbolica

This page also has a version in other languages :  Арена Гремио (russian)