Estádio Beira-Rio

• Grass: TifGrand • Box offices: 4, with 68 booths • Toilets: 81 • Capacity 50,128 (7,500 VIP seats) • Executive suites 125 (70 suites + 55 skyboxes) • Video screens 2 ( each) • Parking 5,500 • Record Attendance 106,554 (Rio Grande do Sul All-Stars 3–3 Brazil national football team, on June 17, 1972) ==History==

Construction No exact records exist regarding when the idea to construct Beira-Rio originated. However, it is known that the first significant step towards building the stadium occurred on September 12, 1956. On this date, Ephraim Pinheiro Cabral, a former president of Internacional from 1951 to 1952, proposed a project in the Porto Alegre City Council to donate an eight-hectare plot of land to the Clube do Povo for the construction of a new stadium. The only complication was that the land was situated within the Rio Guaíba. Hence, if the proposal were to be approved, filling the area would be necessary before commencing construction. The landfill started to become a reality in late 1957 with the arrival of the 'Ster' dredger. Celebrated by Internacional's directors, this event served as symbolic event for the future construction of an unprecedented venue in the southern region of the country. Nevertheless, there were times when the construction lagged behind. At the time, there were many skeptics who joked that he was actually buying a 'Floating Seat'. Despite the jokes, even depicted in newspaper cartoons, the early 1960s marked the beginning of positive developments for the landfill taking shape over the Guaíba. Led by José Pinheiro Borda, who would later have the stadium officially named after him, a Portuguese immigrant who arrived in Porto Alegre in 1929 and quickly became devoted to Internacional. A Works Commission was then promptly established. The club urged fans to ignite fireworks at dawn in an event dubbed the "Red Dawn" or "Red Awakening". Planned for 7 a.m., the first explosions echoed before 6 a.m., showcasing the eager anticipation of supporters. It's no surprise, considering 13 years had passed since the approval of the project for the team's new home. The spectacle, a sight to behold, more than compensated for every second that had elapsed since 1956. Beira-Rio once again hosted the Brazilian Championship final the following year, in 1976. Inter welcomed Corinthians after eliminating Atlético Mineiro in the previous stage. This journey included Falcão's masterpiece goal, forever immortalized as one of the most beautiful moments in the history of the stadium. In 1992, Beira-Rio hosted the second leg of the Copa do Brasil final, Inter had to overturn the 2–1 scoreline of the first match and it did. The title-winning goal came in a dramatic fashion: a penalty kick by Célio Silva in the 88th minute and the club secured the title due to the away goals rule. In the 2000s, Inter had an impressive sequence of international titles, all of the won on Beira-Rio. Starting with the 2006 Copa Libertadores. After a triumphant 2–1 victory at Morumbi, Inter drew 2–2 with São Paulo FC. There were 57,554 fans at the Gigante on the night of August 16. The first goal came at the 29th minute of the first half, aided by Ceni, who failed to hold onto a cross, allowing Fernandão to score. At the 20th minute of the second half, Tinga scored and made it clear to everyone: the Copa Libertadores was not going to slip away. And indeed, it did not. In 2007 Beira-Rio hosted Recopa Sudamericana final and once again Inter was successful on its home ground. After a setback of 2–1 in the first match, the second leg was fueled by the young Alexandre Pato, and Internacional thrashed the Mexicans of Pachuca by 4–0, with two goals from Pato, another from Pinga, and one more from Alex, sending 51,023 people into ecstasy. In 2008 another international final at the Beira-Rio, and another triumph for Inter. Even with one player less, Inter defeated Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg, played at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, by 1–0. The following week, 51,803 fans acted as the 12th player in the most crucial moments and provided extra energy in the search for the title-winning goal, which was scored by Nilmar in extra time. As the center circle was pointed out, the crowd repeated the spectacle from the moment the teams entered the field, with their flares and fireworks illuminating the Porto Alegre night. In 2010 Internacional once again reached the final of the Libertadores and once again the second leg was played at the mythical Beira-Rio. Playing against Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico, the Colorado team won 2–1. At Beira-Rio, it won 3–2, driven by a frenzied crowd, before the game was conducted by an orchestra and during the 90 minutes, it promoted a great spectacle. Once the match was over, it became official. South America was red once again. In 2011, with the stadium already under renovation for the World Cup and with limited capacity, it rewarded every Inter supporter with a 3–1 victory led by Leandro Damião, who scored twice, and Kléber, who converted a penalty, securing the victory and the Recopa Sudamericana title. This was the last title won outside the state realm before the stadium's remodeling. ==Giant Forever: renovation==

The Beira-Rio underwent a major modernization process aimed at the 2014 World Cup. The works of the project, called 'Gigante Para Sempre' (Giant Forever), lasted about two years, beginning with minor works in 2010 and picking up in March 2012, when the partnership with Andrade Gutierrez kicked off. The stadium was completely closed for renovations for the World Cup starting in December 2012. During this period, Inter had to make do with temporary homes, such as Estádio do Vale in Novo Hamburgo and Estádio Centenário in Caxias do Sul. A nomadic life was seen as the main villain behind the poor performance in the 2013 season. During this period, the home of the colorados was adapted to the international football standards and requirements set by FIFA, becoming more comfortable and safe. Despite intense, the physical transformations imposed on the Gigante in no way shook a certainty shared by all supporters: the soul of the Beira-Rio remains intact. Stage of countless triumphs, the home of Internacional continues at the same place that offered so many special memories to the fans. From the original structure of the Beira-Rio, the entire upper bleachers and the retaining wall of the lower ones were preserved. The old canopy, located on the side closest to the river, and the popularly known "cap," next to Padre Cacique, were also kept, although with alterations, to accommodate the Upper Boxes and the COC (Command Operations Center). Capacity Beira-Rio is the second biggest stadium in the Rio Grande do Sul state and also South Brazil and can currently accommodate a total of 50,848 people, including seating in the stands, 71 skyboxes located on the stadium's fourth level, 39 grandstands featuring two lounges, and 55 upper-level skyboxes with an 18-person capacity each. Additionally, a standing area introduced in early 2019 can now hold up 5,000 supporters. In the event of an emergency, the entire stadium can be evacuated in under 8 minutes, in accordance with FIFA's guidelines. The Beira-Rio complex also houses a chapel, an events center, bars, stores and a parking building for 3,000 cars. Parque Gigante, featuring pools, gyms, football fields, and tennis courts, is located next to it. Reinauguration The first test event for the new stadium was on February 15, 2014. Internacional beat SER Caxias and won 4–0. The opening match at full capacity, however, was a friendly between Inter and Peñarol played on April 6, 2014. A clash marked by D'Alessandro's star performance, who was the main protagonist of the afternoon. He scored an early goal, just four minutes into the game, officially opening the red house. It was a feat celebrated with hands on his face, as if trying to hide a choked-up cry. A fitting tribute to the team's technical reference for over a decade. D'Alessandro also scored the second goal, from a penalty giving the 2–1 victory over the Charruas. ==2014 FIFA World Cup==