On the heels of Team USA’s June 16 World Cup Group G win against Ghana, six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification, including the largest stadium in South America.
Originally constructed for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium – which will host the final game of the 2014 World Cup and serve as a major sporting venue for the 2016 Olympic Games – was recently certified as LEED Silver.
The other green stadiums hosting World Cup matches this year include Castelao Arena in Fortaleza, which earned the LEED Certified designation, as well as four LEED Silver venuese: Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Arena da Amazônia in Manaus, and Arena Multiuso in Salvador.
Maracanã’s green features include photovoltaic panels on the roof, rainwater reservoirs, and selective waste collection. Sustainable qualities of the other arenas include:
- Castelao Arena: 67.6% reduction in drinkable water consumption, 12.7% reduction in annual energy consumption, 97% waste diversion for project
- Arena Fonte Nova: 20% of building materials made from recycled content, 75% diversion rate for construction waste, 35% of power purchased from renewable sources
