Estádio Beira-Rio - Porto Alegre's World Class Stadium

Over the years I've been fortunate to visit some of the great stadiums and arenas all over the world. From Madison Square Garden in New York City, Eden Garden in Kolkata, India or Melbourne's own iconic MCG. I've been one of 100,000 people at Neyland Stadium watching the University of Tennessee or one of 80,000 at Metlife Stadium watching the New York Giants, but at the end of the day, your favourite stadiums tend to be those where the best memories are made.

For me, Rod Laver Arena (RLA), which as part of Melbourne Parks hosts the annual Australian Open Tennis tournament has been a long time favourite. Aside from seeing some great tennis there over the years, it was also home to the National Basketball League's Melbourne Tigers during the league's golden era in the 90s.

While RLA will always be special for me, I've recently begun to love another stadium - Estádio Beira-Rio (Riverside Stadium) in Porto Alegre.

Supporting the Socceroos at Beira-Rio in 2014

Home to one of Porto Alegre's major football teams, Internacional, the stadium's recent renovation was one of the reason's I first came to Porto Alegre as it hosted one of Australia's matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

That match – Australia's second pool match against the Netherlands on June 18 2014 – proved to be the best possible introduction to the city and the stadium. In what was without question the Socceroos best game of the tournament, Aussie Superstar Tim Cahill scored one of the goals of the year with a wonder-strike volley levelled the game at 1-1. Incredibly, Australia took the lead on a penalty from captain Mile Jedinak and all of a sudden it looked as if “Gigante” Beira-Rio could be about to witness the Socceroos greatest ever moment. In the end, Australia couldn't quite complete the win, going down 3-2, but the memories of those moments will stay with me and all of the other Australians in attendance for the rest of our lives.

 Supporting Inter at Estádio Beira-Rio

While my time in Porto Alegre was short that first time, the incredible time I had at Beira-Rio – as well as the people I met – meant that I knew I was going to come back one day. And one day soon.

Upon returning to Porto one of the things I looked forward to doing was going once again to the stadium that saw the Socceroos take it to one of the world's best. Having adopted Sport Club Internacional as my Brazilian football team of choice it didn't take long.

Colorados supporting their team at Estádio Beira-Rio

In Porto Alegre you're either in red supporting Internacional, or the blue, back and white tricolours of Gremio, their cross town rivals. Both teams have incredibly passionate supporter bases and attending matches at either team's home ground is as much about the atmosphere and the passion of the fans as it is about the football.

Throughout the one Inter I've game attended so far, the Colorados (fans of Inter) did not dissapoint; singing, dancing and chanting throughout the full 90 minutes (and then some) while supporting their team towards an eventual win. Attending an Australian international football game in Brazil was amazing, but seeing the local fans support the local club they've followed their entire lives was another equally awesome experience.

Most recently I was able to attend the stadium for something completely different from football – a rock concert. It wasn't just any rock band either, it was one of the biggest bands of all time – The Rolling Stones.

Ready to watch The Rolling Stones at Estádio Beira-Rio

The Stones put on a show that will certainly stay in my memory forever. While at times the consistent rain throughout the show (I've mentioned before about Porto Alegre's weather) made me wish they'd considered a retractable roof in the stadium's renovations, Jagger and the boys went on like the 50 year professionals they are. The crowd was full of young fans and old (and both Inter and Gremio fans) united to see one of the greatest bands of all time. The Rolling Stones did not disappoint, playing a great mix of their massive hits while still providing a spectacle and enthusiasm that bands half their age struggle to muster. The rain might have been coming down, but the show went on.

Mick Jagger and the boys doing what they do best at Estádio Beira-Rio

While the Music brought people together for one amazing night, it didn't take long for things to go back to normal. Only minutes after Mick, Keith and the boys walked off the stage for the last time the Inter Vs Gremio chants started.

The Rolling Stones may be one of the biggest bands ever, but for Gaúchos this stadium of full of memories of supporting or hating Internacional. And in Brazil, what is bigger than football?