Brazilian premier league football team Grêmio Foot-Ball has appointed UK-based design consultancy Mather & Co to design and create a visitor attraction at its new Grêmio Arena.

The 60,000 capacity arena, currently under construction in Porto Alegre, is set to be one of the venues of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

As part of the plans, Mather will produce a new visitor attraction, stadium tour, commercial hub and retail offer.

Mather will work on the project together with Lisbon, Portugal-based consultancy, MUSE Museums & Exhibitions.

The two companies formed a strategic alliance in 2011 in order to seek projects in Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Gremio attraction is the partnership's first contract in Brazil but the firms are currently looking to start discussions with a further eight Brazilian clubs for similar projects.

Mather & Co's managing director, Chris Mather said: "As MUSE looks to develop overseas opportunities it is keen to collaborate with other like-minded consultancies that have global experience and contacts across the sports and leisure sector.

"We now have our first toehold in a new market which presents a massive strategic opportunity given the World Cup and Olympics which are due to be staged in Brazil."

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