The Maracanã stadium has started replacing its field following the NFL game, in a race against time to prepare for crucial upcoming matches for Flamengo and Fluminense, including a major derby and the Libertadores semifinal.
The Maracanã, a stage for major emotional moments in Brazilian soccer, began replacing its field this Monday (28). The work commenced a day after the stadium hosted the first-ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, signaling the start of intensive maintenance to prepare the pitch for a series of crucial matches for Flamengo and Fluminense.
The measure comes as a direct response to recurring criticism from players and coaching staffs about the quality of the playing surface. With a tight schedule and highly relevant games approaching, the stadium administration seeks to ensure ideal conditions for the clashes that will define part of the season.
Accelerating Turf Renewal
The first phase of the process consists of scraping, removing the existing grass layer. Subsequently, specialized teams will install new rolls of the Bermuda Celebration variety, known for its resistance and adaptability. According to the consortium that manages the stadium, the renewal follows a planned schedule and aims to have the field ready for the upcoming challenges.
Pressure and Climatic Conditions
The consortium that manages the Maracanã, formed by Flamengo and Fluminense, publicly admitted that the field was below desired expectations. Factors such as an atypical winter, with high temperatures and intense rainfall, coupled with a considerable volume of more than fifty games played throughout the season, contributed to the accelerated wear of the pitch.
The NFL’s Impact and Future Improvements
Before the recent replacement, the field had already received special attention with the installation of the ‘GrassMaster Stitch Machine’, equipment that stitches synthetic fibers into natural grass, increasing its stability. This operation was advanced by the NFL organization to ensure the necessary quality for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to this emergency intervention, the Maracanã management plans to replace the Bermuda Celebration with Celebration Hybrid in December, after the end of the Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship), continuing the hybrid structure already in use since 2022.
Crucial Schedule Demands Perfect Pitch
The agility in replacing the turf is crucial given the upcoming commitments. The Maracanã will host the highly anticipated derby between Flamengo and Fluminense on October 11, and soon after, it will receive the Conmebol Libertadores semifinal, with Flamengo facing Estudiantes from Argentina on October 22. The quality of the playing surface is a crucial element for athlete performance and competitiveness in matches of such importance.
The intervention on the Maracanãpitch underscores the challenge of maintaining a high-level field in a stadium with such an intense schedule. The expectation is that, with the new grass, the upcoming clashes, especially the derby and the Libertadores semifinal, can be played under ideal conditions, providing a spectacle worthy of the tradition of Brazilian and South American soccer. Constant maintenance and investments in field technology are essential to preserve the quality and safety of the games.
M360 Team
