Neymar Sr. invests R$1 billion in arena and Hard Rock Hotel in Santos by 2028

Santos will receive one of the largest private investments in its history. Businessman Neymar from Silva Santos, father of player Neymar Jr, confirmed the injection of R$1 billion into a complex that will unite a modern multipurpose arena and an Hard Rock Hotel unit at Rodovia Anchieta. Work will begin in the first quarter of 2025 and the opening is scheduled for 2028. The project promises to transform the city into a national sports and entertainment hub.

The local city hall has already committed to speeding up the licensing processes to ensure compliance with the schedule. The strategic location will facilitate access for residents of Baixada Santista and tourists coming from the capital of São Paulo and other regions of the state, positioning Santos as a destination for major events.

Estrutura financing and construction schedule

The financing of R$1 billion will be carried out by a consortium that brings together national and international capital. Fundos of Arab investment will contribute R$400 million, equivalent to 40% of the total budget. The remainder will come from national investors, guaranteeing the financial strength necessary for the complete execution of the project.

The distribution of resources follows a clear logic: R$600 million will be allocated to the construction of the multi-use arena with the highest standards of quality and technology, while the remaining amount will finance the Hard Rock Hotel and complementary infrastructure, including common areas, road access and ample parking.

The detailed schedule foresees the following steps:

• Primeiro quarter of 2025: preparation of the land and obtaining environmental licenses.
• Segundo semester of 2025: construction of the stadium foundations begins.
• 2026: assembly of the arena’s metal structure.
• 2027: finishing phase of both projects.
• 2028: operational tests and official opening.

Project management aims to simultaneously execute the arena and hotel works, optimizing time and resources. Eventos-testing will be carried out prior to opening to the public to ensure safety and functionality of all facilities.

The new arena and transformation of Santos FC

The arena will have capacity for 45,000 people, triple Vila Belmiro’s current capacity, and will meet all the rigorous standards required by Fifa to host international competitions. A technological difference will be the retractable synthetic lawn, which allows the space to be quickly converted for different types of events such as shows, fairs and conferences without damaging the playing surface.

Para o Santos Futebol Clube, the move represents a significant financial and strategic transformation. Projections indicate that the club could triple its annual box office revenue, jumping from R$20 million to approximately R$60 million. The modern infrastructure will allow the team to host more high-profile games, including decisive Copa Libertadores matches in its own city, strengthening the connection with the fans and generating new sources of income through the commercial exploitation of the stadium’s naming rights.

Hard Rock Hotel as an entertainment destination

Hard Rock Hotel Santos will operate as an independent destination, offering a complete international standard leisure and hospitality experience. The unit will have 402 themed rooms and suites decorated with memorabilia from famous artists and musicians, a trademark of the hotel chain. The leisure infrastructure will include an infinity pool with panoramic views, a state-of-the-art spa and a complete gym. The gastronomic offer will include fusion restaurants and themed bars with live music programming, consolidating the complex as an entertainment hub that will operate throughout the year, regardless of the calendar of sporting events.

Preservação by Vila Belmiro and sustainability

Santos Futebol Clube will preserve the iconic Vila Belmiro, the scene of the club’s countless glories. The historic stadium will receive specific renovations to modernize its facilities and will remain active for smaller games, youth team matches and important events for the Santos community, balancing tradition with a vision of the future.

The project incorporates innovative solutions for environmental sustainability. Será installed an extensive system of solar panels on the roof of the arena and hotel to generate a significant part of the energy consumed on site, reducing dependence on the conventional electrical grid. An advanced rainwater capture and reuse system will allow for use in irrigation of green areas and non-potable activities, promoting conscious use of water resources.

Impacto economic and job creation

Durante During the three years of construction, it is estimated that 1,800 direct and indirect jobs will be created, with a policy of prioritizing the hiring of local labor. Após opens in 2028, the project will maintain around 1,700 permanent jobs in the areas of hotels, events, security, food and maintenance, continuously driving Baixada Santista’s economy and generating opportunities for the local population.