- Address: Rua Buenos Aires, 1260, Curitiba
- Country: Brazil
- Capacity: 42,000
- Opened: 24 June 1999
- Main use: Football
- Tenants: Athletico Paranaense (football)
Extra stadium info – Ligga Arena
The stadium, which has a rectractable roof, is nicknamed Arena da Baixada. It was named Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães before it became the Ligga Arena. The venue hosted four FIFA World Cup matches in 2014. On 16 June 2014, the stadium hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup game. The match between the national football teams of Iran and Nigeria ended in a goalless draw. 39,000 spectators attended the world championship game.
Other FIFA World Cup matches
On 20 June 2014, the Ligga Arena hosted its second FIFA World Cup match. Ecuador won the game after beating Honduras. Carlo Yaír Costly Molina scored the first FIFA World Cup goal at the Ligga Arena. He was born in Honduras in 1982. Carlo Yaír Costly Molina played professional football in Honduras, Poland, the United Kingdom, Romania, the United Mexican States, the United States, the Hellenic Republic, China and Türkiye. He scored 32 goals for the national football team of Honduras. On 23 June 2014, the Ligga Arena hosted its third FIFA World Cup game. The national football team of Australia lost the game against Spain. Three days later, Algeria faced Russia in the third world championship game at the stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Athletico Paranaense
Club Athletico Paranaense, nicknamed Furacão (Hurricane), use the venue named Ligga Arena for home games. The club was founded in 1924. In 2001, they were crowned Brazilian football champions for the first time in their history after beating AD São Caetano 4-2 in front of 31,000 spectators. In 2005, Athletico Paranaense reached the final of the South American championship for football clubs for the first time in their history. The Brazilian side São Paulo FC won the two-legged final. Athletico Paranaense reached their second final of the continental championship in 2022. The Brazilian side Flamengo won the game, which took place in Ecuador in front of 42,000 spectators.
