Brazilian football club Athletico Paranaense has revealed plans to install a retractable grandstand at its Arena da Baixada stadium.
Athletico Paranaense said that the club is undertaking the ground-breaking project alongside 30e, Brazil’s largest live entertainment company.
The aim of the scheme is to reinforce the stadium’s position as one of the most modern multi-event arenas in Brazil, increase capacity and allow more events to take place.
Club Athletico Paranaense is a Série A Brazilian football team from Curitiba, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná.
The club said that between April and August 2026, the stadium will undergo structural interventions that will include the installation of the first retractable grandstand in a Brazilian stadium.
The initiative aims to expand the Arena da Baixada’s event schedule and reduce conflicts with the football calendar.
With the new structure, it will be possible to hold games even during the assembly and disassembly of stages for large concerts and events.
The project will be made possible through the club’s strategic partnership with 30e which was finalised in June 2025. It includes the creation of an area for stage assembly away from the pitch in the Lower Cel. Dulcídio Sector.
On site, the existing concrete grandstand will be demolished and a new retractable metal grandstand will be installed, re-using the current seats. The structure will feature a motorized opening and closing system with hydraulic actuation.
The modules for the metal grandstand are already in production in Piracicaba.
In addition to operational flexibility, the project will increase capacity for events. The implementation of new escape routes from the pitch will allow for an increase in audience capacity of approximately 20% at shows held in the arena.
Fernando Volpato, operations director of Athletico Paranaense, said, “Arena da Baixada is already a benchmark for events in the country. Now, it will be the most complete multi-event arena in Brazil.
“This innovation will be possible thanks to the partnership with Grupo 30e, which believed in yet another innovative project from the club.”
Claudio Macedo, SVP of Venues, Expansion and Sponsorship at 30e, said, “30e’s partnership with Arena da Baixada goes beyond simply managing concert schedules. We want to offer the best experience to music fans and the club’s audience.
“That’s why we take care to invest in the infrastructure of the venues we partner with. The retractable grandstand project is innovative in our country, and proposing modern solutions is in our company’s DNA. Furthermore, improvements to the sound system and operation are planned.”
The project will be happening on the eve of the club’s 102nd anniversary and also strengthens Curitiba’s position as a strategic destination for major national and international tours.
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