Maracanã stadium begins pitch replacement for Libertadores

Maintenance crews at the Maracanã stadium have begun an urgent process to replace the playing surface following complaints from players regarding its condition. The renovation aims to prepare the pitch for upcoming Copa Libertadores semi-final matches involving Flamengo and Fluminense.

Recent criticism from Flamengo players, including Léo Ortiz and Rossi, described the turf as ‘impraticable’ following their match against LDU. The current renovation involves scraping the existing surface and installing new rolls of Bermuda Celebration grass. This work follows an NFL game held at the stadium between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.

The stadium is working under a tight schedule to ensure the field is ready for Fluminense’s match against Coritiba on October 8, as well as subsequent Libertadores fixtures involving Flamengo and Palmeiras. A more permanent transition to Celebration Hybrid grass is scheduled for 2027.