It was the first stadium in Brazil to be officially homologated with a FIFA-certified artificial turf pitch.
The stadium's original name, Passo d'Areia, refers to the historical district and sandy soil composition of the area.
The venue serves as the headquarters for Esporte Clube São José, a traditional club founded in 1913.
The synthetic surface allows the venue to maintain playability during the heavy rainfall often experienced in Porto Alegre.
The stadium's lighting system was significantly upgraded to meet modern broadcast standards for televised matches.
Estádio Francisco Novelletto Neto, commonly known as Passo d'Areia, serves as the home stadium for Esporte Clube São José. It is notable for being the first professional stadium in Brazil to feature a synthetic turf pitch, installed in 2011 to meet FIFA standards. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators. It is situated in the Santa Maria Goretti neighborhood of Porto Alegre. The facility regularly hosts matches for the Campeonato Gaúcho and the Série C of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The venue was renamed in 2018 to honor Francisco Novelletto Neto, a significant figure in local football administration. The pitch is certified as FIFA Quality Pro, allowing it to host international-level competitions. The stadium layout consists of four main stands surrounding the rectangular field.
The elevated view from the main grandstand capturing the entire pitch with the club logo visible on the turf.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as the stands offer limited natural shade.
Check the official club website for match-day schedule changes due to weather.
Arrive early to observe the team warm-ups on the specialized synthetic surface.
Attempting to enter the pitch area before or after the match, as this is strictly prohibited for non-authorized personnel.
Closed to the public outside of scheduled match days or team training sessions.
No flares, sharp objects, or glass bottles allowed; team colors are encouraged but political banners are typically prohibited.
