Arruda renovation project advances with new Santa Cruz SAF

Santa Cruz president Bruno Rodrigues revealed that the Football Corporation (SAF) is negotiating with investors to transform the Arruda Stadium into a modern arena, which has drawn significant attention from the sports press.

Private partnership for investment in Arruda

According to the executive, the SAF is working with a private company to secure an investment of several million reais. The goal is to modernize the stadium, keeping soccer match revenues under the SAF's responsibility, while the partner would be responsible for revenues from concerts and other events.

35-year commodatum and change of investors

In the new proposal, Arruda will no longer be permanently transferred and will instead be managed under a 35-year commodatum agreement, guaranteeing the right of use without transferring ownership. The operation shifts from Cobra Coral Participações S.A. and will be taken over by Matix Capital Ltda, a group that includes Thairo Arruda as one of the investors.

Renovation stages and reopening schedule

The president stated that the renovation will be done in stages, avoiding the complete closure of the stadium. The idea is to open Arruda to 25,000 to 30,000 fans as early as next year, with targeted renovations. The priority is to obtain the Fire Department inspection and regularize the stands.

Deliberative council approves new terms

The club's Deliberative Council will be convened to analyze the SAF's operation, the purchase of the Isolated Productive Unit, and the emergency loan granted by the new investors. The terms remain similar to the contract signed in January 2025, with the only change relating to the stadium lease.

Impact on fans and outlook for 2027

Although the reopening is not yet guaranteed for the Serie C final quadrangular, the expectation is that Santa Cruz will return to Arruda as early as the 2027 Campeonato Pernambucano, initially with reduced capacity. The project, described as “beautiful” by the president, aims to make Arruda the most modern arena in the Northeast.

With information from Diario de Pernambuco, ge, A TARDE.