RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Officials say overhauling Rio de Janeiro’s huge Maracana Stadium for the 2014 World Cup will cost more than $390 million.
Marcia Lins, Rio de Janeiro state Sports and Tourism secretary, tells O Globo newspaper that the stadium’s renovation will begin in August and end in December 2012.
She says total costs should come in at an expected 720 million reals ($393 million).
Lins told the newspaper on Wednesday that Maracana will be ready to host the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Seating capacity at the stadium, built for the 1950 World Cup, is expected to increase from 82,238 to 90,000.
