Corinthians begin Neo Química Arena pitch overhaul during World Cup break | OneFootball

Corinthians began replacing the pitch at Neo Química Arena on Sunday, using the World Cup pause to complete the work.

According to Meu Timao, the full refurbishment was scheduled for this window, with the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico across June and July.

Initial tasks include cutting out and replacing sections of turf, plus spraying. The surface then moves to fertilisation and germination, with constant irrigation and a rest period. A stitching process, reinforcing the pitch with synthetic fibres, is set to take about 10 days, followed by final adjustments before it reopens.

The last renewal came in September 2025, funded by the NFL at a cost of R$ 2.7 million to stage the São Paulo Game in Itaquera between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.

The club timed the start for after Saturday’s women’s international at the stadium, where Brazil beat the United States 2-1.

To limit disruption, the work coincides with the pause in Brazilian football. Following the 3-1 win at Grêmio in Porto Alegre on 30 May in the Campeonato Brasileiro, the squad went on holiday and will not play again until next month. The base date for their return is 22 July, when Corinthians face Remo in Itaquera.

Beyond the pitch, the club plans a deep clean of the arena, last carried out in November 2020 before the naming-rights rebrand, expected to cost between R$ 500,000 and R$ 600,000. Upgrades to internal and external scoreboards and LED panels are also being studied, with maintenance and some replacements under consideration.

Source: Meu Timao