Flamengo and Fluminense reject Vasco’s Maracanã bid for third time in 2026 | OneFootball

Flamengo and Fluminense, who run the Maracanã, have rejected Vasco’s request to host Boca Juniors there on 20 October, the Copa Sudamericana semi-final second leg. It is their third refusal to the rival in 2026, and Fanático Vascaíno first reported the decision.

The consortium cited fixture congestion and pitch wear. Work to replace the surface began on Monday, with Bermuda Celebration turf to be laid, and the stadium will have staged 58 matches by the end of September.

October’s diary is tight, with Fluminense hosting Palmeiras on 14 October and Flamengo due to face Estudiantes at the Maracanã on 22 October. The proposed Vasco v Boca date, six days after Fluminense’s game, would leave only two days of recovery before Flamengo’s commitment, a point raised last week by a figure linked to Flamengo.

Vasco have not ruled out legal action. President Pedrinho believes the club are being denied a right but, privately, is not minded to contest an agreed arrangement in court. An internal group backs São Januário, though CONMEBOL mandates venues of at least 30,000 for the semi-finals.

Pedrinho said he would seek a larger away allocation at São Januário, noted his good relationship with Juan Román Riquelme, promised support for Boca fans, and asked CONMEBOL’s president for flexibility. Nilton Santos, run by Botafogo, is an alternative, although the Argentine club are reluctant to play on synthetic turf. CONMEBOL want the venue set by early October, effectively 10 October, with the tie opening on 13 at La Bombonera and the return in Rio, while Atlético-MG meet Montevideo City Torque in the other semi-final.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”