Maracanã rebuffs Vasco semi bid, hybrid pitch planned for 2027 | OneFootball

Maracanã has turned down Vasco’s bid to stage their Copa do Brasil semi-final against Palmeiras because of the pitch. According to Coluna Do Fla, stadium CEO Fred Nantes also outlined plans for a new hybrid surface from 2027.

Nantes said no formal request from Vasco had arrived and stressed that recent refusals were purely technical, with the turf unable to take any extra events.

With Maracanã off the table, Vasco will host Palmeiras at São Januário in early November. The first leg will be played on the synthetic surface at Nubank Parque, with the return in Rio.

Nantes revealed the ground will switch to the Celebration Hybrid grass in 2027, considered more modern than the current Bermuda Celebration. The new pitch is described as tougher and easier to maintain.

The change is scheduled for immediately after the final round of the Brasileirão, which means Zico’s annual Jogo das Estrelas will not run in Christmas week. He added that the calendar is demanding, with more than 70 club fixtures and up to nine extra cup games expected next year, and little recovery time for the surface.

In the other semi-final, Grêmio face Atlético-MG. Despite ongoing concerns about the surface from some Flamengo players, Flamengo play Corinthians on Sunday 13 at 17:30 Brasília time in round 27.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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