Pacaembu misses revenue target, weighs pitch change to attract more games in 2026 | OneFootball

Pacaembu finished its first year after renovation short of its revenue goal and is seeking more football dates in 2026 to avoid becoming a white elephant. In December, Metrópoles reported Allegra owed R$ 17 million to 94 suppliers across 468 protests, falling to 428 and R$ 13.9 million in January after repayments and cancellations. An internal audit last year flagged divergences, pausing some payments until clarifications were provided.

With Santos and São Paulo absent in 2025, the stadium hosted nine professional matches and leaned on other uses. Of 146 events across the complex, 75.4% were unrelated to sport. The year closed with R$ 104 million in revenue.

Statutory director Rafael Carvalho projected that returns would begin only after 12 years and expects to balance the books in 2026. The operation needs R$ 150 million a year to break even. Of the R$ 800 million invested, part was financed, with about R$ 80 million in interest and R$ 40 million in operations and maintenance paid in 2025, plus a 2% variable fee to the city.

Protests by Neymar and Lucas against the synthetic pitch distanced clubs from the venue. Management is studying alternatives, including natural grass overlays used at the Copa América in the United States, or replacing the artificial surface at end of life, but only if demand justifies it. A switch could be considered if 20 to 30 professional games were guaranteed.

The complex has also carried out flood-mitigation works. Hundreds watched Cruzeiro beat São Paulo to win the Copinha at Arena Mercado Livre Pacaembu on Sunday morning, filling the stands for the first time in 2026.

Source: Globo.com