Field size 40x20 m | Opened 1954 | |
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Full name Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso Owner Superintendência de Desportos do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Address Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portão 3 - Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20271-130, Brazil Similar Olympic Stadium, Carioca Arena 1, Maracanã, Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, Riocentro | ||
Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso (Portuguese: Ginásio do Maracanãzinho), sometimes called just Maracanãzinho ("Little Maracanã" or "Mini Maracanã"), is an indoor arena located in Maracanã in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is used mostly for volleyball. Its formal name, Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso, honors a former Clube de Regatas do Flamengo president. The capacity of the arena is 11,800 and it was opened in 1954. It stands next to the Maracanã Stadium.
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History
Maracanãzinho's construction started on April 13, 1954 and lasted for only five months. It was built by Construtora Prolar S.A. The architects were Rafael Galvão, Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos, Orlando Azevedo and Antônio Dias Carneiro, the engineer was Joaquim Cardoso.
The gymnasium was inaugurated on September 24, 1954, with that year's Men's Basketball World Championship, for which it had a capacity for 25,000 spectators. The arena also hosted the 1963 event of the same competition, with the home team, coached by Kanela taking the gold medal, its second Men's Basketball World Championship in a row.
During the 1950s and the 1960s, the Miss Guanabara and Miss Brasil beauty pageants were held in Maracanãzinho.
During the 1960s and the 1970s several national and international music festivals were held in the gymnasium.
The 1960 and 1990 Men's Volleyball World Championship was held in Maracanãzinho.
At the age of 32, Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira became the first female singer to fill the Maracanãzinho Gymnasium in 1981.
Renovations and future events
For the 2007 Pan American Games, the gym was remodelled, relying on central air conditioning and adding a four-sided scoreboard, a new sound system, a dome which allows natural lighting during the day, comfortable seating, and adapting to all international requirements. As a result, the Maracanãzinho became a venue for the volleyball competitions of the 2007 Pan American Games and many other international competitions. After the renovations, the capacity of the arena was reduced from approximately 13,000 to 11,800 spectators. The arena is much more comfortable for spectators, as the field of vision has been increased for better viewing of the arena floor.
It hosted the 2013 World Judo Championships.
The Maracanãzinho Gymnasium hosted UFC 179 in October 2014 and UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare in March 2015. It also hosted the volleyball competitions during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Concerts
The arena has also hosted a number of important rock concerts, including, among others, the following list: