The real reason Vasco are rushing to replace their pitch

In partnership with

Papo na Colina

·11 November 2025

The real reason Vasco are rushing to replace their pitch

Vasco da Gama began replacing the turf at São Januário this Monday (11/10). The project is a race against time, but it has a primary motivation: the management wants a “carpet” for the final stretch of the year, eyeing the possibility of playing the Copa do Brasil final at home.

+ São Januário renovation postponed? Understand

OneFootball Videos

“Mutations” and the aesthetic problem

The turf had been criticized for its “stained” appearance. According to Lucas Pedrosa, director of Greenleaf, the problem was “increasing mutations” of the grass. He assured ge that the “playability was 100%,” but the aesthetics were compromised.

The club had been planning the replacement since the beginning of the year. As the overall stadium renovation does not have an exact date yet, the management took advantage of the 18-day window without games. The replacement will be “simpler,” just the grass, without altering the drainage or the soil.

“It was already in the club’s plan to replace the turf since the beginning of the year. The mutations were increasing, affecting the visual aspect. The playability was 100%, but the aesthetics were no longer good since mid-year. It was already affecting the stadium’s aesthetic concept.”

São Januário field is the target of many criticisms – Photo: Reproduction X/Twitter News Colina

Investment with reuse at Vasco

The deadline for the project is November 28, when Vasco faces Internacional. The replacement now ensures a perfect field if the team advances against Fluminense and plays the Copa do Brasil final at home in December. As Pedrosa assures:

“Since the date for the stadium renovation hasn’t been finalized, a simpler replacement will be done, just the grass, without altering irrigation, drainage, or soil replacement. This way, it’s also cheaper. And the result can also project a possible Copa do Brasil final, if Vasco advances, to occur at São Januário. To have a field in excellent playing conditions for the final, the decision had to be made now. In this 20-day period, it’s enough time for the turf replacement, for it to root and have good playing conditions.”

The investment will not be wasted. The profile Podcast Cruzmaltino confirmed that the material is in rolls and reusable. The club will use the removed grass on the fields of CT Moacyr Barbosa or CT de Caxias, which serves the youth and women’s football.