Brazil: South America’s first stadium with a “Retractable Stand” – StadiumDB.com

Retractable pitches have already been seen at numerous football stadiums. However, a stadium with a fully retractable stand that can be hidden away to accommodate non-sporting events is an extreme rarity. One such stand is now being built in Brazil at the home of Athletico Paranaense.

Arena da Baixada like the best stadiums in the world

The Arena da Baixada in Curitiba has a habit of being the fastest to innovate in its country. In 2008, it became the first stadium in the country of samba to have a sponsor in its name, and a decade ago, it became the only one to receive a retractable roof. Now it is once again ahead of the competition, adding a retractable stand that would not look out of place among the world’s best stadiums.

The Coronel Dulcidio Inferior section has 2,000 seats and will receive the new modern stand. Thanks to this new feature, the stadium will be able to host major events, such as concerts, more frequently, including during the football season, without affecting the team’s matches in any way apart from the loss of these seats. The stand will be retracted, freeing up significant space where a concert stage can be installed.

Similar stands can be found at venues such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they can be extended or retracted to adapt the stadium to the dimensions of an American football or soccer field, and at Stade de France, where the stand is moved closer to the pitch during football matches, covering the athletics track.

At the Curitiba venue, a special floor has already been installed that can withstand both the weight of the stand and the concert stages that will be erected there. Installation of the new stand, whose first modules have already arrived at the stadium, will be coordinated with the schedule of matches and events, with further work planned for October.

According to Fernando Volpato, Athletico Paranaense’s Director of Operations, the aim is to create a multi-purpose arena that will retain the cauldron effect, with fans close to the pitch during matches, while also allowing the venue to host major events.

© Studio Gaea, Clube Atlético Paranaense | Arena da Baixada in Curitiba is once again ahead of other Brazilian stadiums. The venue, already equipped with a retractable roof, will now get a retractable stand, making it easier to host concerts without losing its football identity.