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| Arena Fonte Nova | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arena Fonte Nova |
| Native name | Arena Fonte Nova |
| Location | Salvador, Bahia, Brazil |
| Broke ground | 2010 |
| Opened | 2013 |
| Owner | State of Bahia |
| Capacity | 47,907 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Architect | ISO Aarq, filho & Aflalo/Gasperini, Populous |
| Tenants | Esporte Clube Bahia, Vitória (select matches) |
Arena Fonte Nova is a multi-purpose stadium located in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, built on the site of the former Estádio Fonte Nova. It serves as a venue for football, concerts, and cultural events, hosting clubs, national teams, and international tournaments. The venue played a role in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and has been used by domestic clubs and touring artists.
Construction on the modern stadium followed demolition of the older Estádio Fonte Nova after structural failures and safety concerns. The project involved the Government of Bahia, the Brazilian Football Confederation, and private contractors, with design and engineering from Populous, ISO Aarq, and Aflalo/Gasperini. The stadium was inaugurated in 2013 and immediately included in the selection for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup, joining cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Porto Alegre, Recife, Fortaleza, Curitiba, and Manaus. During planning and construction the stadium engaged firms and agencies like FIFA, CONMEBOL, Brazilian Ministry of Sport, and local regulatory bodies. The redevelopment influenced urban projects in Salvador, connecting to municipal initiatives and regional tourism promoted by Bahia State Government, Prefeitura de Salvador, and cultural organizations including Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional.
The architectural program incorporated contemporary steel roof structures, a radial seating bowl, and facade treatments to meet international standards set by FIFA and accessibility guidelines similar to those used in venues such as Allianz Arena, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Camp Nou, Maracanã Stadium, and Old Trafford. Design teams referenced engineering precedents from firms involved in projects like Wembley Stadium, MetLife Stadium, San Siro, and Signal Iduna Park. Structural engineering considerations included load distribution, wind studies influenced by coastal conditions near the Bay of All Saints and seismic analyses similar to assessments performed for stadiums in Lisbon, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. The visual identity incorporated references to Bahia’s cultural landmarks such as Pelourinho and regional motifs associated with artists like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, and materials sourcing involved suppliers used on projects for Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden renovations.
The stadium offers a seating capacity marketed at approximately 47,907, with configurations for domestic league matches, international fixtures, and concerts, comparable in capacity tier to venues including Stade de France, Estádio do Maracanã, and Estádio Mineirão. Facilities include VIP suites, press and broadcast centers outfitted to standards similar to those at CNN Center, BBC Broadcasting House event operations, player facilities meeting specifications used by national teams such as Brazil national football team, Argentina national football team, Germany national football team, and Spain national football team. Hospitality areas reference models from Santiago Bernabéu, Camp Nou, and Old Trafford corporate boxes. The turf and pitch management employ agronomy practices seen in stadiums like Wembley Stadium and Allianz Riviera with drainage systems comparable to installations in Kauffman Stadium and Citizens Bank Park.
Primary tenants have included Esporte Clube Bahia and temporary fixtures for Esporte Clube Vitória and regional clubs. The venue hosted matches in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, alongside fixtures involving national teams such as Brazil national football team and visiting squads from France national football team, Croatia national football team, Japan national football team, Mexico national football team, and others. The arena has hosted concerts by international performers drawing comparisons to events at Allianz Parque, HSBC Arena, Ginasio do Ibirapuera, and festivals similar to those held at Rock in Rio and Lollapalooza Brazil. Non-sporting events have included conventions, cultural festivals, and ceremonies in partnership with bodies like Ministry of Culture (Brazil), Sesc, and local cultural institutions.
The stadium is situated in Salvador’s urban fabric with access via major arterial roads, proximate to neighborhoods such as Brotas, Campo Grande (Salvador), and the historic district of Pelourinho. Public transit connections include bus corridors operated by Salvador Municipal Transport Company, routes linking to Salvador Bahia Metro proposals and terminals serving commuters from municipalities like Lauro de Freitas and Itaparica. Access planning considered proximity to Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport and port facilities on the Bay of All Saints, along with parking and pedestrian circulation strategies similar to implementations near Estação da Luz and major Brazilian arenas.
The stadium’s redevelopment encountered controversies common to large infrastructure projects, including disputes over public spending, contractor performance, and timelines involving entities such as Tribunal de Contas da União, state audit bodies, and municipal oversight committees. Incidents included safety reviews after the demolition of the old structure and litigation involving construction firms and insurers comparable to cases seen with other stadium projects like Maracanã renovation disputes. Operational incidents have prompted inquiries by public prosecutors and involvement by institutions like Ministry of Justice (Brazil) and Federal Police (Brazil) in oversight of procurement and compliance. Community groups and civil society organizations such as Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra and local neighborhood associations have engaged in dialogue over legacy uses and urban impacts.
Category:Sports venues in Bahia