Santos begin Vila Belmiro upgrades to meet Copa Sul-Americana rules | OneFootball

Santos have begun upgrades at Vila Belmiro to meet Copa Sul-Americana requirements, with the first home tie set for 14 April against Deportivo Recoleta of Paraguay.

According to Globo.com, the priority is making the away sector compliant for 2,000 visiting fans, the Conmebol minimum, which would take the stadium’s capacity to 16,200.

The retrofit is proceeding regardless of ongoing talks with WTorre over a new arena, and discussions are in their final phase with no deadline for signing. The works target quick, low-cost interventions funded by partners, with Santos initially saying it is not spending on the project.

In the Princesa Isabel sector, next to the cativas seats, all chairs will be removed and double steps of 45 cm installed, lifting that area to 2,100 places. Completion is expected within 15 days, alongside fresh paint, new toilets and a reworked press area, plus a visual change on the stadium’s fourth floor.

The club expects the ground to be ready for its home debut. If Santos progress to the semi-finals, further adaptation would be required because Conmebol then demand an away section able to host up to 4,000 supporters.

The Boteco Santista will also be revamped, serving the external area at the Salão de Mármore entrance. A phase two, significantly increasing capacity with new stand structures and boxes, is not ruled out, but there is no public-authority approval or timetable for broader works.

Source: Globo.com