Sep 9, 2011

• The stadium will have 32,000 permanent seats and another 10,000 temporary seats for the World Cup

The BNDES has approved a loan in the amount of R$ 396.5 million for the construction of the Arena das Dunas Stadium in Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, one of the venues for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The funds amount to 75% of the cost of the project, according to the ceiling established by the BNDES ProCopa Arenas program, under which the operation was approved.

The reimbursable financial cooperation is earmarked for the Special Purpose Company (SPC), Arena das Dunas Concessão e Eventos S/A (ADCE), controlled by the OAS group. The SPC is responsible for constructing and operating equipment for a period of 20 years, according to the administrative concession model established by the state government.

The Arena das Dunas Stadium will replace the João Cláudio de Vasconcelos Machado Stadium (Machadão) and Humberto Nesi Gymnasium (Machadinho), both of which will be demolished. Scheduled for completion in December, 2013, the new stadium will have 32,000 permanent seats. During the World Cup, it will sport an additional 10,000 temporary seats to meet FIFA’s 40,000-seat minimum requirement. The temporary structure will be the responsibility of the state government.

The project will comply with international standards for multipurpose stadiums, so that the space can also function as a center for business, leisure, and culture, hosting from  trade shows and congresses to events such as music festivals and the Carnatal, one of Natal’s largest street parties. It is estimated that until its completion, the project will create 1,000 direct jobs, and another 1,350 indirect jobs.