The stadium was inaugurated on 27 April 1940, in the presence of the Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas, the interventor Adhemar de Barros and the mayor of São Paulo, Prestes Maia.

He was the 1958 FIFA World Cup Brazilian delegation chief, the founder of Rede Record, one of the largest television networks in Brazil and was known as "Marechal da Vitória" (Marshal of Victory).

The first match ever played at Pacaembu Stadium took place on 27 April 1940, when Palestra Itália (now known as SE Palmeiras) defeated Coritiba, 6-2.

Six 1950 FIFA World Cup matches were played at Estádio do Pacaembu, which were: On 29 September 2008, the Museu do Futebol (Museum of Football) was inaugurated.

[4] The museum covers 6,900 square metres (1.7 acres), it was built at a cost of R$32.5 million, and is located below the stadium's bleachers.