World Cup guide to Brazil
Next year will see Brazil host the FIFA World Cup for the second time – and it is hard to think of a better location than a Latin American country that lives and breathes football.
The ball game is played in the narrow, steep alleys of favelas, in parks, on concrete city streets and on world famous beaches like Copacabana. Football in Brazil is a religion. It is also flying the flag for the sport in South America, being the first World Cup on the continent since 1978.
Brazil has the best track record when it comes to World Cup football. Having taken home five trophies – eclipsing Italy (four wins) and Germany (three wins) – the Brazilians will be looking to do it again next year. There will be twelve cities that will host the matches all over the country. Here is a look at the three destinations where the crucial games will be played – the semi-finals and the final.
The semi-final: Sao Paulo
Stadium: Arena Corinthians
This stadium will hold the opening game of the World Cup as well as the semi-final. The opening game will feature the Brazilian team, and you can be assured that the atmosphere will be electric. This stadium will cater for 68,000 spectators and you can bet every seat, even in the nosebleed section, will be accounted for.
Surrounds:
If Rio has the beaches, Sao Paulo has the nightlife. The clubbing scene in this city seems to run on unadulterated adrenalin from young Brazilians. As the largest city in Brazil population-wise, you can be assured of an unrivalled atmosphere when visiting. It is truly multicultural and, curiously, boasts the largest community of Japanese outside Japan. There are also six million people with Italian ethnicity here. To prove just how multicultural it is, there was once an Italian district which then became a Japanese district and is now populated by Chinese and Korean residents.
The third place decider: Brasilia
Stadium: Estadio Mane Garrincha
Catering for 70,000 cheering and jeering fans, this is a stadium with a World Cup legacy. Named after a legend of Brazilian football, Garrincha is credited with engineering Brazil’s World Cup wins of 1958 and 1962. The stadium was demolished and rebuilt in 2010 to accommodate the 2014 World Cup. Matches to be held here include the third place decider as well as the final 16 round and the quarter final. The stadium will also be used in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Surrounds:
This city is what would happen if Doctor Spock gave up his passion for living long and prosperously, changed careers and turned his hand to town-planning. Like Canberra, this is a capital carved from calculation, not capricious whims. And like the Australian equivalent, it comes complete with an artificial lake. Everything has been thought out in meticulous detail and UNESCO rewarded the effort with a cultural heritage nod. For the record, that title has only gone to one city built in the 20th century. It may be well organised, but it is not staid. The capital has a lively restaurant and nightlife scene – as you’d expect from a place populated with party-loving Brazilians.
The Final: Rio De Janeiro
Stadium: Estadio do Maracana
This open-air stadium is the largest in Brazil. Accommodating nearly 79,000 spectators, it is also the largest stadium in South America. On a historical note, it was opened in 1950 to host Brazil’s first FIFA World Cup. The name Maracana pays homage to a river of the same name that cuts through the city.
Surrounds:
In Rio, it would be a crime to forego the world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema for football. However, the two will dovetail in what is sure to be a sun-drenched spectacle on Copacabana beach with the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup tournament.
The beaches are all about being seen and posto (posts) determine the best spots. On Ipanema beach, posto 9 is the place for the young and the beautiful. Posto 10 is the place for sports enthusiasts, and sunbaking space has been commandeered by soccer and volleyball games. The key beverages you’ll need are coconut water and beer – known as chopp. Both are over-represented at relaxed beachside kiosks. Come dusk, the kiosks become bars serving caipirinha’s along with live music.
World Cup Host Cities – the full list
Belo Horizonte – Minas Gerais
Bras√ålia – Federal District
Cuiab· – Mato Grosso
Curitiba – Paran
Fortaleza – Cear
Manaus – Amazonas
Natal – Rio Grande do Norte
Porto Alegre – Rio Grande do Sul
Recife – Pernambuco
Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro
Salvador – Bahia
Sao Paulo – Sao Paulo
Latest News
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
Bonza’s future on knife edge
It would seem a long road back from here, perhaps a knife's edge is too much credit.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office
Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.
RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile
Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.
How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV
Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!
South Africa bookings are back in action
It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.
Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
This is the trip of a lifetime, even if you are scared of the cold!
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.