Estádio Ismael Benigno

The Estádio Ismael Benigno has a history of change that began long before it was rebuilt for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It was originally built as Estádio Gilberto Mestrinho by São Raimundo Esporte Clube, which purchased the land and oversaw construction using club resources.

What stands out now is the layout of the concrete grandstands. The rebuilding removed the running track and individual seats, leaving four separate concrete tiers for spectators. The capacity settled at 10,000, a far cry from the 30,000 it held in the 1980s when fans packed the grandstands and covered chairs. The all-time attendance record belongs to a 1969 derby between Nacional and Rio Negro, which ended 0–0.

The stands are sparse, with rows of concrete steps rather than plush seating.

São Raimundo holds priority use, but the ground also hosts matches for Nacional Fast Clube and Manaus FC in the Campeonato Amazonense. The stadium has seen its share of turbulence, including a clash between fans and police in 2023 that resulted in eight arrests. It is a place where the game continues, even as the capacity shrinks and the original grandstands fade into memory.