Morumbi: the Largest Private Stadium in Brazil

Southern America

For those visiting the land of drizzle, an unmissable place to know is the Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium, better known as Morumbi Stadium!

The course is located in the homonymous neighborhood and is the home of the Sao Paulo Football Club. It is a mistake to think that it hosts only sporting events. Morumba, affectionate nickname given to the house of the tricolor, was also famous for hosting various musical shows in the state capital.

Want to know more about this imposing stadium in the city of São Paulo? So read on and don’t miss any information!

The stadium region

The stadium is located in the neighborhood that gives rise to its name, Morumbi, at Roberto Gomes Pedrosa Square, nº 1, west zone of São Paulo. It has an imposing architecture and is a trademark of the region. No wonder this stage of countless shows was tumbled by the city of Sao Paulo.

The neighborhood is a postcard of the city, known for its numerous upscale mansions and condos, and is home to an upper-middle-class population. The region also houses the Bandeirantes Palace, seat of the government and residence of the governor of the state of São Paulo.

The arrival

In one of the city’s noblest locations, the stadium is about 15 km from the center of the capital. The access can be made by subway with yellow line four, getting off at São Paulo-Morumbi station and walking distance of approximately 1.5 km.

Some bus lines giving access around the stadium are 775P-10, 809P-10, 857A-10, 857R-10, N706-11. Be aware of the game days, as there may be changes in the route of the vehicles.

For those who choose to drive, it is recommended that you use map or GPS applications to calculate the best route for your route. Another factor that should be considered for those who are driving by private car is the scarce amount of parking around the stadium. If you are looking to escape the flannel, an alternative is to use the Morumbi mall parking lot and walk a few blocks to your destination.

The last option is to request taxis or vehicles via private transportation applications, remembering that the neighborhood is very residential and that, at the end of the games and shows, traffic in the surrounding area can be overloaded. So schedule yourself in advance!

The nearby bars and restaurants

For lovers of Japanese food, one option to meet is By Koji, located on the ground floor of the stadium. The restaurant offers a view of the lawn providing an incredible view for those attending Morumbi on concert or game days.

Also worth a visit is Pub & Poker, a themed bar for poker lovers. The space is sponsored by Jack Daniel’s, which makes the drinks menu the highlight of the place. So if you’re a whiskey lover, it’s worth knowing!

Thus, there is no shortage of  places to eat in Sao Paulo  and enjoy the local cuisine that mixes typical dishes, refinement and prices for all pockets!

The History of the Stadium and Foundation

The house of the tricolor paulista was designed by architect Vilanova Artigas and his work began in the year 1952, but it took 18 years to be delivered. There was a first opening with a football match against Sporting de Portugal in 1960, which culminated in the victory of São Paulo Futebol Clube. This game earned the São Paulo home the title of “largest private stadium in Brazil”. In 1970, the work was finally completed for the joy of the Sao Paulo nation.

The maximum capacity of people

Located in the capital of São Paulo, the colossal stadium had its audience peak in the 80s, during a religious event that had about 163,000 faithful. In the entertainment world, the giant was known for holding gigs and gigs of gigantic proportions. The teen phenomenon Menudo came to the country in 1985 and took a crowd of 150,000 to cheer on the Latin group’s successes! In football, the attendance record reached 147,000 in the late 1970s.

In the 90’s, the stadium underwent a series of renovations and a process of modernization. New cabins were implemented and their capacity was reduced. Currently the place holds approximately 68 thousand people in official matches. For the shows, the number goes up to around 89 thousand people, the amount placed by the Irish band U2 in 2011, during their stay in the capital of São Paulo.

Stadium accessibility

In Tricolor games, the board promotes action by encouraging fans to go to the stadium! People with reduced mobility do not have to pay admission to attend departures from São Paulo.

The institution began a series of renovations to host the opening of the Copa America in 2019 and one of the points where there was a large investment was to improve accessibility, increasing to 108 seats available for wheelchair users.

Curiosities about Morumbi

Known for always receiving great audiences, the powerful Morumbi was not always like this! In 1994, for the Copa Bandeirante, São Paulo received the Araçatuba team for an incredible 29 payers, totaling an income of R $ 66.00.

Another interesting data is about the initial project. He envisioned a stadium with a retractable roof. The idea was presented by Soviets Antonov & Zolnerkevic who wanted to give the stadium a futuristic look. The idea ended up being vetoed for the high cost, but there were people believing that the place would be covered until the end of the works in 1970.

Places to stay

Many people wonder when is the  best time to go to Sao Paulo. The truth is that the experience is rewarding at any time of the year, as the city is full of cultural, musical and sporting events.

There is no contraindication when it comes to knowing this fantastic municipality. So if you are looking for hosting: pay attention!

The best option for those who go to the stadium is to stay in the Morumbi neighborhood itself, with several hotel options, bars and restaurants for those who enjoy the nightlife. The arrival of the subway helps to get around other parts of the city, being another favorable point for those who choose to stay in the region.

Another youth-loved spot is the Garden City neighborhood, which offers quality accommodation and tourism in just a 15-minute walk from the stadium!