Operário closes naming rights and announces 'new name' of the arena: find out which one it is

The Operário Ferroviário confirmed on Wednesday (9) that the new commercial name of its house will be Arena Espaço Smart. The definition is part of the naming rights agreement signed between the club and Espaço Smart, a company that already maintains a strong commercial relationship with Fantasma.

The confirmation comes a day after the Portal BnT Online exclusively anticipated that Smart Space had closed the deal to acquire the rights to the stadium’s name. The official announcement was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, during a presentation held at Germano Krüger.

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With the agreement, the traditional estádio Germano Krüger, in Vila Oficinas, goes on to commercially use the name Arena Espaço Smart, marking a new phase also outside the four lines for the Worker. To date, the financial amounts involved and the exact duration of the contract have not been publicly disclosed.

Partnership between Worker and Smart Space grows in 2026

The negotiation for naming rights represents an extension of the partnership between Worker and Smart Space. The company had already been occupying prominent space among the sponsors of the Phantom and, in April 2026, assumed the master sponsorship of the alvinegra shirt, having its brand stamped on the main commercial property of the uniform of the club.

The company’s presence has also advanced into Germano Krüger. The room used for press conferences of players, managers and members of the technical committee was reformulated and began to count on the identity of Smart Space. Now, with the acquisition of the rights to the name of the arena, the link between the two brands reaches the main physical asset of the Worker.

Arena Smart Space

The agreement means that the Arena Espaço Smart brand must be directly linked to the commercial communication of the stadium, including the identification of the arena and actions related to the company’s exhibition.

When he started the process to negotiate the naming rights, the Worker reported that the model designed included exposure of the partner company on the façade, inside the stadium, in the official communication of the club and in the transmissions of the matches. The club also indicated its intention to close a long-term partnership.

The definition happens just as the Worker prepares one of the greatest structural changes in the recent history of his home.

New stadium begins to take shape

Germano Krüger is undergoing an extensive modernization project, structured in different phases. One of the most important stages involves the stadium region located in Padre Nóbrega Street, where the beginning of the interventions is scheduled for October 1.

The project also went through the process related to the Neighbourhood Impact Study (NIA), necessary in the face of the expected changes in structure, capacity, public movement, parking and mobility in the surroundings of the sports square.

In addition to own resources and commercial revenues, the Worker has been seeking alternatives to finance the project. In August, representatives of the club were in the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to present the modernization plans and discuss the possibility of financial support for the first stages.

Company born in Ponta Grossa

The choice also brings the stadium closer to a company with origin in Ponta Grossa. Smart Space operates in the segment of industrialized construction systems, with solutions such as Light Steel Frame, Drywall, squares and materials related to dry construction. The company has expanded its operations to different regions of Brazil and maintains an important part of its structure in Ponta Grossa.

In August, the company also reported that it is working on an investment of approximately R$ 60 million in Ponta Grossa, with the aim of expanding its manufacturing capacity. With the new contract, Espace Smart becomes the master sponsor and also the holder of the naming rights of the Alvinegra house.