In pictures: Maracana stadium reopens

Soccer fans cheer during the re-opening of the newly renovated Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday 27 April — Image caption,
The legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro has reopened with a test event attended by thousands of workers who helped with a nearly three-year-long renovation.

A man works at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 4, 2012.

The stadium has been undergoing renovation since August 2010 in preparation for high-profile sporting events to be hosted by Brazil, including the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

View inside the stadium for the reopening event on Saturday 27 April

Spectators were treated to an exhibition match between teams led by the former Brazil forwards Ronaldo and Bebeto - but Brazilian media reported problems with the stadium, including flooding, lifts and turnstiles not working and unfinished construction.

Aerial view of the Maracana stadium with its roof already finished, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on April 11, 2013.

The inauguration date of the iconic stadium, set to host the World Cup final next year, has been repeatedly delayed. It was originally due to reopen last December.

A Brazilian indigenous community protest inside the former Indian Museum, with the Maracana stadium seen in the background, in Rio de Janeiro, January 12, 2013.

The rebuild has been beset by controversy, delays and disputes. Hundreds of people took part in a protest over proposals to privatise the stadium. Many were indigenous people opposed to the removal of a museum and other buildings, which the government said needed to go to complete the work.

Supporters of a native Indian community living at the Brazilian Indian Museum stand amid tear gas during clashes with military police officers as they protest against the community's eviction in Rio de Janeiro March 22, 2013.

In March, police used tear gas and rubber bullets to evict protesters occupying the museum. The community, known as Aldeia Maracana (Maracana tribe), said they wanted to use the building to showcase their way of life to tourists during the World Cup and Olympics.

Built for the 1950 World Cup, the Maracana is where Brazilian footballing hero Pele scored his 1,000th career goal in 1969 and it has been sorely missed by football fans.

Maracana football stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil taken on March 27, 2013 during renovation works for the 2014 World Cup - including the construction of a roof.

Juliana Ferreira, of the Rio de Janeiro state government, says: “It’s natural that the works have been delayed: first, because we have been refurbishing a 70-year-old stadium; second, we had to face some unusual circumstances, such as strikes, among other things. The stadium will be officially delivered on 24 May, meeting Fifa’s deadline and just in time for the beginning of the Confederations Cup."

Aerial view of the Maracana Stadium under construction for the 1950 World Cup finals, January 1950

The Maracana, officially the Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, was originally constructed in the heart of Rio de Janeiro for the 1950 World Cup.

Uruguay player Ghiggia scores during the World Cup Final, against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 16, 1950. Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1 to win the Rimet Cup.

The stadium has been the scene of many great footballing moments, such as Uruguay's shock 2-1 victory over Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup Final.

Pele picks the ball from the net after scoring his 1000th goal at the Maracana Stadium. He scored from a penalty for the Brazilian team, Santos, 19 November 1969.

The legendary Pele scored his 1,000th career goal at the stadium on 19 November 1969, converting a penalty for Santos against Vasco da Gama.

Paul McCartney sings to a packed house of 175,000 people in Rio’s Maracana soccer stadium in Rio De Janeiro, 21 April 1990.

The stadium's huge capacity has attracted many other events. Both Tina Turner and Paul McCartney achieved Guinness World Records with performances at the Maracana. McCartney played to a packed house of 175,000 in April 1990. The audience was the largest ever to see a live performance by the ex-Beatle.

Some 140,000 Catholic faithful gather at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium 12 October, 1999, to celebrate the day of Brazil's patron saint Nuestra Senora de Aparecida.

On 12 October 1999, 140,000 Catholic faithful gathered in the Maracana to celebrate the saint's day of Nuestra Senora de Aparecida, Brazil's patron.

Picture of the Maracana football stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil taken on March 27, 2013

In 1992 part of the upper stand collapsed, injuring supporters and killing three. The capacity was subsequently reduced and after renovation the Maracana will be able to accommodate 76,935. It remains, nevertheless, Brazil's biggest football ground.

Aerial view of the Maracana stadium emitting light beams of the Brazilian national colours, yellow and green, in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2010

The world football authorities at Fifa promise that the Rio de Janeiro stadium will be in the limelight once again at Brazil 2014, hosting seven games in all, more than any other venue. Among those matches will be the final on 13 July.