Brasileirão 2026: how to watch Flamengo and Fluminense at the Maracanã as a tourist

If you're planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, there's one experience you shouldn't skip: a night of football at the Maracanã. Watching Flamengo or Fluminense play at home in one of the most legendary stadiums on the planet is one of those memories that stay with you forever. The roar of the crowd, the flags, the chants that don't stop for a second: the Brasileirão is lived differently inside the stadium.

This guide is for the traveler from abroad who wants to understand how Brazilian football works and, above all, how to get to a match featuring Rio's big clubs without the hassle. We explain the league simply, what to expect from the Maracanã and what you need as a foreigner to enter the stadium (ID, e-Visa, biometric registration and more). Straight to the point, and built so you have it all sorted before you board the plane.

How the Brasileirão works, explained for someone from abroad

The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A — the "Brasileirão" — is the top division of Brazilian football and one of the most competitive leagues in the world. If you're coming from another country, the good news is the format is very easy to understand.

• 20 clubs compete over the season.
• It's played on a points system ("pontos corridos"): everyone plays everyone, home and away. There are no playoffs or group stage to decide the champion.
• There are 38 rounds ("rodadas") in total: each team plays 19 home matches and 19 away.
• Whoever has the most points after the 38 rounds wins. The bottom of the table is relegated to Série B.

In practice, this means there's top-level football almost every weekend, and over a one- or two-week stay in Rio it's very likely at least one Flamengo or Fluminense home match will fall on your dates. The official table is published by the CBF (the Brazilian confederation) and updates round by round, so each team's position changes all the time.

A bit of context for the 2026 season: by midyear, the fight for the top was intense at the head of the table, with Palmeiras and Flamengo among the front-runners (to be confirmed depending on the round you travel in). The beauty of the points system is exactly that: every round shifts the standings and there's always something at stake.

Rio's big clubs and the Maracanã: what to expect

Rio de Janeiro is a real football city, and two of its biggest clubs — Flamengo and Fluminense — play their home games at the Maracanã. For the tourist, this is a huge advantage: no matter which of the two you go to see, the appointment is at the same temple of world football.

Flamengo are one of the most supported clubs in all of Brazil, and their red-and-black tide turns every match into a spectacle. They're also one of the top picks for anyone chasing the most intense crowd experience in Rio.

Fluminense, with their classic tricolor shirt (green, maroon and white), bring a more traditional identity and a passionate fan base. When Flamengo and Fluminense meet in the derby — the "Fla-Flu" — the Maracanã fills up and the atmosphere is out of this world.

What to expect from the atmosphere: organized chants that never stop, drums, giant flags and an intensity that surprises anyone coming from abroad. It's football lived with the whole body. Traveler's tip: arrive early, soak up the pre-match scene around the ground and join in the color of the stands.

Getting there: the stadium is well connected to Rio's public transport. The most practical option is usually the metro (Maracanã station, on the line that links the center and the south zone) or the train. On matchdays it's best to avoid driving because of traffic; ride apps also work, though they get saturated when the game ends. Plan to leave with time to spare and enjoy the walk to the stadium, which is part of the party.

How to watch a match as a foreign tourist

This is where many travelers get lost, because Brazil changed its entry rules — both to the country and to the stadiums — and in 2026 there are some new steps. We've ordered them from most general to most specific.

1. Entering the country: e-Visa depending on your nationality

Since 10 April 2025, citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia need an e-Visa (electronic visa) to enter Brazil as tourists. It's an official measure of the Brazilian government, and in 2026 the system is fully integrated with the airlines: without the e-Visa code loaded, the boarding pass simply won't be issued to passengers of those nationalities.

• It's processed online, only on the official portal (brazil.vfsevisa.com), before you travel. The cost is US$80.90 per person and approval usually takes a few business days (it can stretch out in high season).
• Recommendation: do it at least one or two weeks in advance.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.

If you're from another country, check your specific case: most of Latin America (including the Mercosur countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay) and much of Europe do not require a tourist visa, but the rules change, so it's worth confirming with the official source before booking your flight (verify based on your passport).

2. ID to enter the stadium

To get into the ground you'll need an official ID document. In Brazil, stadium entry is tied to the person's identity (it's not a "bearer" ticket you can pass to anyone). For foreign visitors, the passport is the valid document.

3. Biometric registration (facial biometrics) at the Maracanã

This is the step that surprises tourists the most. The Maracanã introduced a facial biometrics system to access the stadium: before the match you have to complete a registration / cadastro in which you link your face to your document and your ticket. In practice it's a "Face ID" to get into the ground, designed to speed up entry and fight fraud and illegal resale.

How it works, in general: - You go to the official registration site or app (the stadium/club's digital ticketing platform). - You upload your details and a photo of your face along with photos of your document (for foreigners, the passport is valid). Depending on the match, the system may also ask you to complete a prior registration with your personal details. - Once validated, you enter the stadium by passing the facial recognition at the turnstiles. - It's mandatory for everyone, including minors (with specific rules and a registered legal guardian). Confirm the registration details for the specific match you're attending.

Our tip: don't leave the biometric registration for the last minute. Do it as soon as you have your ticket confirmed, with your phone and passport at hand.

4. Buying tickets from abroad

Buying Brazilian football tickets from another country can be a headache: sites in Portuguese, local payment methods, spots that sell out fast and the uncertainty of whether your purchase is valid. At FTA we're a ticketing platform for tourists that lets you secure your spot to watch Rio's big clubs, with the process in English and built for the traveler from abroad.

Since the Brasileirão calendar moves round by round, the most practical thing is to check the self-updating listing of upcoming home matches:

• Flamengo tickets — the gateway to watching the Mengão at home at the Maracanã, with the fixture list always up to date.
• Fluminense tickets — so you don't miss the Tricolor when they play at home.

Check the dates that line up with your trip and secure your spot early: matches involving Rio's big clubs sell out.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Brasileirão work? It's Brazil's top division: 20 clubs playing everyone home and away across 38 rounds on a points system. Whoever has the most points at the end wins; there are no playoffs for the title. The official table is published by the CBF and changes round by round.

Where do Flamengo and Fluminense play their home games? Both play at home at the Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro. It's a huge convenience for the tourist: whichever one you go to see, the appointment is at the same iconic stadium.

What do I need to enter the stadium as a foreigner? An official ID document (for foreigners, the passport) and completing the stadium's facial biometric registration before the match, linking your face, your document and your ticket.

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil? It depends on your nationality. Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia need an e-Visa as of April 2025, processed online on the official portal before traveling. Many other countries (including Mercosur members) don't require a tourist visa, but it's worth verifying based on your passport (confirm your case).

Can I buy tickets from my country? Yes. You can secure your spot from abroad through a ticketing platform for tourists with the process in English, without depending on local sites in Portuguese or Brazilian payment methods.

How far in advance should I buy? The sooner the better. Matches involving Rio's big clubs are in high demand and the calendar is set round by round, so the ideal is to check the updated listing as soon as you have your travel dates and book early.