Rio de Janeiro’s Golden Year: Tourism Surge, BRICS Summit, and Urban Development Shape City’s Future

Rio’s Tourism Renaissance and International Recognition

Rio de Janeiro is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom in 2025, with the city successfully maintaining its traditional appeal while innovating with new attractions in today’s competitive global tourism market.

The city is leading Brazil’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, with authorities focusing on ensuring sustainable growth that benefits both visitors and local communities while preserving Rio’s unique cultural and environmental heritage.

BRICS Summit and International Diplomacy

The 2025 BRICS Summit will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, as announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira following a meeting with Mayor Eduardo Paes. The summit will bring together eleven member countries, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Iran, and Russia.

Urban Development and Entertainment

The city is witnessing significant urban development, with the new Porto Maravilha project set to add 793 apartments, following the successful Rio Wonder development which sold out its 1,224 units in less than four months.

The city’s creative sector is receiving substantial support, with Mayor Eduardo Paes expected to announce incentives totalling 131 million reais ($23 million), including 100 million reais from the federal government and 31 million reais from City Hall.

Sports and International Events

Rio de Janeiro is set to host its first NFL game in 2026, adding to its impressive portfolio of major international events, which includes the 2016 Summer Olympics and multiple World Cup finals. The game is expected to take place at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 70,000.

This expansion into American football reflects the NFL’s growing interest in the South American market, with Brazil being the second-largest international market for the sport, boasting 36 million NFL fans, second only to Mexico.