With all eyes on the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is touting the six World Cup stadiums that have achieved LEED certification. One of those stadiums is South America’s largest, Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Originally built and used for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the LEED Silver Maracanã stadium is once again reprising its role by playing host for the final game of the 2014 World Cup. Maracanã will also serve as a major sporting venue for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as major sporting events.

The other LEED-certified stadiums for the 2014 FIFA World Cup include Castelao Arena in Fortaleza (LEED Certified), Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador (LEED Silver), Mineirão in Belo Horizonte (LEED Silver), Arena da Amazônia in Manaus (LEED Silver), and Arena Multiuso in Salvador (LEED Silver).

“Even as the world's top teams take the field, the venues themselves are also in the spotlight, demonstrating not only the worldwide applicability and adaptability of the LEED green building rating system, but also Brazil’s leadership position at the forefront of the movement to high-performing green buildings,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair of USGBC. “FIFA and the government of Brazil have shown great leadership and commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of these World Cup facilities and for making them a showcase of sustainable construction for the international community.”

Felipe Faria, managing director of Green Building Council Brasil, said that the Brazilian construction firm responsible for the certification of Maracanã, Odebrecht, pushed the boundaries of sustainable innovation, including features such as photovoltaic panels on the roof, rainwater reservoirs, and selective collection for waste.

“Just over 60 years from its completion for the 1950 World Cup, Maracanã is once again making history,” said Faria. “Indeed, the entire country of Brazil is making history with these LEED stadiums. We are grateful for the leadership demonstrated by the professionals in the marketplace and applaud their achievements. The many green elements incorporated into these stadiums will reduce the environmental impact of the games on Brazil, from improved transit access to lower water and energy consumption.”

Each stadium incorporated multiple sustainable features that contributed to its LEED certification. For example, Castelao Arena features a 67.6% reduction in drinkable water consumption and a 12.7% reduction in annual energy consumption, while 97% of the project waste was diverted from the landfill. Arena Fonte Nova, meanwhile, used 20% of its building materials made from recycled content, diverted 75% of the project’s construction waste from the landfill, and purchased 35% of its power from renewable sources like solar and wind.