Football Museum, Football museum in Pacaembu, São Paulo, Brazil
The Football Museum occupies three floors behind the stands of Pacaembu Stadium, on 6,900 square metres. Architect Mauro Munhoz kept the 1930s facade by Ramos de Azevedo and left the stadium's concrete stands visible in each of the 15 themed rooms, whose walls mix steel and wood. The entrance facade carries the metallic letters "ESTADIO MUNICIPAL" and "PAULO MACHADO DE CARVALHO" above orange banners.
The museum opened on September 29, 2008, with Pelé in attendance, emerging from a partnership between São Paulo city and state authorities. The founding marked a commitment to preserve the sport's cultural heritage in a publicly accessible space.
The displays show how the sport shifted from a foreign pastime to a symbol of Brazilian life, connecting people across all backgrounds. Exhibits explain the journey from early upper-class clubs to its current role in neighborhoods and communities throughout the country.
Visitors can access audio guides in Portuguese, English, and Spanish through their smartphones while moving through the rooms. The exhibitions are designed with wheelchair users in mind, allowing access to all areas.
The Reference Centre houses Brazil's first public football library with over 4,000 items, including books, periodicals, and documentary films. Researchers and visitors can consult material otherwise found only in private collections.
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