From Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, from Montevideo to La Paz, a new route now crosses South America. Its main thread? Football!
Launched by Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism in coordination with the Ministry of Sports and the Mercosur member countries, under the “Visit South America” brand, the Mercosur Football Stadium Route now connects six countries—Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia—and, above all, twenty-five legendary sites where history and popular culture meet.
Football, a mirror of a continent
Each stadium tells a story of South America. From the stands of the Maracanã to the fervor of La Bombonera, from the legend of Montevideo’s Centenario to the CONMEBOL Museum in Paraguay, these places embody art, architecture, and collective emotion.
“We are leveraging the passion that unites our continent to create an integrated, powerful, and sustainable tourism product. The Route will strengthen the ‘Visit South America’ brand and consequently attract more international visitors to Brazil, generating development and reinforcing our cultural ties,” said Celso Sabino, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism.
But beyond numbers and infrastructure, this itinerary is mainly about identity—and about football as a force that brings people together and invites travelers to discover the great story of the game.
A route turned toward the future
Four Brazilian stadiums featured on this route—the Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro), Neo Química Arena (São Paulo), Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre), and Mané Garrincha (Brasília)—will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, the first ever held in Latin America! It’s a chance to highlight the role of women in sports and to leave a lasting legacy through new infrastructure and local training programs.
In every city, stadiums also serve as cultural spaces. The Pelé Museum in Santos, the Football Museum in São Paulo, and the immersive tours of the Maracanã allow visitors to experience football differently—through emotion, education, and collective memory.
“Football tells stories, unites cultures, and makes hearts beat. With this Route, we invite the world to discover our continent,” concluded Celso Sabino.
The Mercosur Stadium Route is an invitation to travel through what unites South American peoples: passion, history, and that unique sense of celebration that turns every match into a moment of life.
For more information: the official website
Photos: Embratur | Visit South America
