On Wednesday (Oct. 22), South America gained a new tourism route dedicated to the world of sports – the Mercosur Soccer Tourist Route, launched by Brazil, the country currently chairing the economic bloc. The first phase of its implementation will include stadiums and museums in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia.
“We’re harnessing the passion that unites our continent to create an integrated, powerful, and sustainable tourism product,” said Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino.
“The route will strengthen the ‘Visit South America’ brand and as a result attract more international visitors to Brazil, boosting development and strengthening our cultural ties,” he added.
In Brazil, a total of 13 museums and stadiums will be part of the route, including Maracanã Stadium and the Pelé Museum. Argentina will have five, one of which is La Bombonera Stadium. In Uruguay, the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo is on the list; in Paraguay, the Conmebol Museum; in Chile, the National Stadium Park; and in Bolivia, the Félix Caprile Stadium, the Hernando Siles Stadium, and the Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium.
“The Mercosur Route of Soccer Stadiums is a way to value the identity we share with our South American brothers and show the world the strength that football has in our culture,” said Brazil’s Minister of Sports André Fufuca.
The route, the Ministry of Tourism stated, aims to integrate the stadiums in the bloc that have symbolic value, tourist appeal, and receptive capacity. Selection criteria include historical relevance, guided tours, museums or memory centers, as well as adequate accessibility and infrastructure.
“Soccer in Brazil is much more than a sport, it is an expression of our culture, our Brazilianness, our unique way of being, and that has everything to do with tourism. This year alone, Brazilian cities that are part of the route received more than 3 million tourists from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of Brazil’s tourism authority agency Embratur.
Four of the Brazilian stadiums included in the route will host matches for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Arena BRB Mané Garrincha in Brasília, Beira-Rio in Rio Grande do Sul, Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, and Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. The event will take place for the first time in Latin America and will feature matches in eight Brazilian capitals. The games will be held from June 24 to July 25, 2027.
Source: Agência Brasil