Find out what Mineirão’s new pitch will be like

Mineirão stadium is set to replace its existing natural grass pitch with a hybrid model for the upcoming 2027 Women’s World Cup, as required by FIFA. This modification will be shared among the Minas Gerais government, Minas Arena, and FIFA. The new pitch will incorporate synthetic polyethylene fibers interwoven with the natural grass, greatly enhancing its durability and longevity.

Thiago Jannuzzi, the executive director of operations for the Women’s World Cup, confirms that Mineirão will host eight matches within a 30-day period, making the synthetic fiber essential to withstand the high usage and preserve the required field condition for a successful World Cup event. The renovation's main consequences for the stadium and Cruzeiro include cost sharing, installation timeline, and the impact on Cruzeiro’s schedule.

The specific replacement date is yet to be determined but is expected after the conclusion of the Brazilian Championship on December 2. With 11 matches remaining in the Brasileirão, five at home, Cruzeiro must adapt quickly to the new surface if the installation window overlaps with their final matches, potentially causing disruptions to their tournament performance.