Palmeiras lead as up to six clubs may use artificial turf in 2026

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Nosso Palestra

·12 November 2025

Palmeiras lead as up to six clubs may use artificial turf in 2026

Palmeiras will be joined by more and more clubs playing on synthetic turf in the Brasileirão of 2026. With the possible presence of Athletico-PR and Chapecoense in the national elite, Serie A could gather up to six stadiums with artificial surfaces — including Allianz Parque, Nilton Santos, Arena MRV, Arena da Baixada, and Arena Condá. Additionally, Vasco is likely to host some matches at Nilton Santos during the renovation of São Januário, increasing the number of games on this type of field.

Even amidst the growing debate among athletes and managers — with clubs like Flamengo advocating for the end of this type of field — the use of artificial grass has been consolidating in Brazilian football. Factors such as climate variations, an intense game schedule, and hosting concerts in stadiums drive the switch from natural to synthetic grass.

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According to Sergio Schildt, president of the company ‘Recoma’, specialized in sports infrastructure, the investment for installing a synthetic field ranges between seven and nine million reais, but the maintenance cost is much lower than that of a natural lawn.

The maintenance of a natural lawn is ten times more expensive. On synthetic, a single employee can operate a decompaction machine every 15 days. On natural, five permanent employees are needed — explains Schildt.

Besides the savings, the expert highlights that Brazilian stadiums suffer from a lack of uniformity in natural grass, especially in long competitions, and that using synthetic turf allows for better use of the stadium for events without damaging the field.

The discussion also involves the performance and health of athletes. Recent studies have already observed differences in the physical behavior of players on different types of surfaces.

Sports physiotherapist Fabrício Rapello, a specialist from ‘Sonafe Brasil’, points out that games on synthetic turf demand more physically from athletes:

On synthetic turf, defenders, full-backs, and midfielders cover greater distances and perform more medium and high-speed running actions. There are also more intense accelerations and decelerations. Therefore, it is essential that physical preparation is adjusted to support this demand.

If the trend is confirmed, 30% of the Serie A clubs could play as hosts on artificial fields in 2026 — consolidating a historic change in Brazilian football, with Palmeiras as a reference for this transformation.