Brazil Leads Launch of Mercosul Football Tourism Route Uniting South America's Iconic Stadiums
Brazil spearheads the Mercosul Football Tourism Route uniting renowned stadiums to promote South American sports tourism and culture.
- • The Mercosul Football Tourism Route was launched on September 22, 2025, connecting stadiums in six South American countries.
- • Brazil leads the initiative, featuring famous stadiums like Maracanã and Allianz Parque.
- • The route aims to attract international tourists and promote cultural ties across the continent.
- • Four Brazilian stadiums on the route will host matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Key details
On September 22, 2025, South America officially launched the Mercosul Football Tourism Route, an initiative led by Brazil during its Mercosul presidency to create a unified sports tourism circuit across the continent. The route connects iconic stadiums and football museums from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia, aiming to boost international tourism and cultural ties.
Brazil features key venues such as the Maracanã, Allianz Parque, and Arena BRB Mané Garrincha, with Argentina contributing landmarks like La Bombonera and Más Monumental. The initiative focuses on integrating sites with historical significance, offering guided tours and appropriate infrastructure to enrich the visitor experience.
Brazilian Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen the 'Visit South America' brand and attract more foreign tourists, leveraging football’s deep cultural resonance, as over 60% of South Americans are active football supporters according to FIFA data. Embratur President Marcelo Freixo underlined football’s role as an expression of Brazilian culture and the expected increase in tourists from neighboring countries, noting cities on the route attracted over 3 million regional visitors this year.
Significantly, four Brazilian stadiums on the route will serve as venues for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027—the first time the tournament will be hosted in Latin America—with matches scheduled from June 24 to July 25, 2027. Minister of Sports André Fufuca emphasized the route's importance in showcasing South America’s shared football identity and fostering social legacies, particularly promoting access to sport for girls and women.
This pioneering route represents a sustainable tourism product that connects passion for football with economic and cultural development across Mercosul nations.