Vasco Still Without Home Stadium for Sul‑Americana Semifinal

Overview

• A court rejected Vasco’s urgent request to use Maracanã and the stadium’s concessionaire has formally opposed hosting the match, making Maracanã increasingly unlikely.
• CONMEBOL set firm deadlines that require Vasco to tell the confederation by Oct. 5 if it will play outside Rio de Janeiro or by Oct. 10 if it stays within the state.
• Corpo de Bombeiros accepted Vasco’s revised safety plan to raise São Januário’s capacity to 24,155 but the Polícia Militar has not yet signed off and the stadium would still fall short of CONMEBOL’s 30,000 minimum.
• Fla‑Flu Serviços S.A. has pushed for the match to move to Nilton Santos, citing Maracanã pitch damage after recent events including an NFL game, and Vasco has filed appeals asking the 2ª Vara Cível to reopen or speed its suspended case.
• If Vasco cannot secure an approved Rio venue before the CONMEBOL deadlines the club may have to relocate the Oct. 20 home leg, a move that would affect ticketing, travel plans and local security arrangements for fans and teams.