World Cup 2014: Stunning Images of Brazil's Stadiums

One of the many things that make a FIFA World Cup so fascinating is the glittering collection of stadiums built or renovated primarily for the tournament’s use.

The upcoming event in Brazil is no exception.

Each of the host cities boasts a unique, eye-catching ground, and over the next 12 slides we’ll examine stunning images of all of them.

Let’s get to it.

(Capacity and feature data courtesy Copa2014.gov.br)

Mineirao

Courtesy wsgd.com.

Site: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Capacity: 62,160

Feature: A 7,500m-squared commercial promenade with more than 100 shops, bars and cafes

Progress: Completed

Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha

Courtesy Skyscrapercity.

Site: Brasilia, Federal District

Capacity: 72,7888

Feature: Photovoltaic cells capturing sunlight and obtaining all the energy required to operate the stadium

Progress: Completed

Arena Pantanal

Courtesy essentialarchitecture.blogspot.com.

Site: Cuiaba, Mato Grosso

Capacity: 43,600

Feature: Multiple training centres, as well as a nature area including lakes and woodlands

Progress: Not completed

Arena Da Baixada

Courtesy Skyscraperlife.

Site: Curitiba, Parana

Capacity: 42,000

Feature: A retractable roof that will cover the entire capacity of the ground

Progress: Renovating

Estádio Castelao

Courtesy msalix.placar.abril.com.

Site: Fortaleza, Ceara

Capacity: 63,903

Feature: A glass skin, coating the facade, that reflects sunbeams and reduces heat

Progress: Completed

Arena Amazonia

Courtesy Skyscrapercity.

Site: Manaus, Amazonas

Capacity: 42,374

Feature: A system for the re-use of rainwater and a natural ventilation system to reduce energy comsumption

Progress: Not completed

Arena Das Dunas

Courtesy 2bp.blogspot.com.

Site: Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Capacity: 42,000

Feature: Two big screens inside the stadium and an artificial lake outside the ground

Progress: Not completed

Estadio Beira-Rio

Courtesy Skyscrapercity.

Site: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

Capacity: 51,300

Feature: A roof made of polytetrafluoroethylene membrane that will reduce head absorption and self-clean

Progress: Renovating

Arena Pernambuco

Courtesy onlinebetnow.com.

Site: Recife, Pernambuco

Capacity: 46,000

Feature: Solar power and rainwater are captured at the ground, and all seats are covered by a roof

Progress: Completed

Estadio Do Maracana

Courtesy Clairglobal.com

Site: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro

Capacity: 78,000

Feature: The original ground has been completely remodelled, although the original facade remains in place; the new roof is covered by a see-through membrane, supported by prestressed cables

Progress: Completed

Arena Fonte Nova

Courtesy copa2014.gov.br.

Site: Salvador, Bahia

Capacity: 55,000

Feature: An open area at the south of the stadium facing the Tororo Dyke natural spring

Progress: Completed

Arena Corinthians

Courtesy Skyscrapercity.

Site: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo State

Capacity: 68,000

Feature: A four-layer room based on trusses and made of steel, Polyisocyanurate, plasterboard and Firestone UltraPly (DesignBuild)

Progress: Not completed