Figueirense today: Taking the temperature of 'Furacão' in the Série B and the lessons from the Copa do Brasil

Wednesday, 4 March 2026. While the ball rolls in Belém for the clash between Tuna Luso and Tocantinópolis, valid for the second round of the Copa do Brasil, the eyes of the black and white faithful turn to the Estreito neighbourhood. Figueirense aren't on the pitch today, but the movement behind the scenes and on the turf of the Estádio Orlando Scarpelli sets the tone for what we can expect from 'Furacão' in the second half of the Série B campaign and, who knows, a historic run in the Copa do Brasil.

The Scarpelli as a fortress and the weight of the fans

Anyone who knows Florianópolis understands: the Estádio Orlando Scarpelli isn't just a venue for matches. It's a cauldron. And at the start of this season, the board has invested heavily in the fan experience, precisely to turn the black and white home into a competitive advantage. The attendance figures in 2026 show the strategy works: when Figueira plays in front of their home crowd, the effort on the pitch increases by a good 30%. It's there, in the precinct around the stadium, that the pre‑match buzz comes to life – and that's where an often underestimated asset comes into play: the CAE - Centro de Artes e Espectáculos.

Located just a few blocks from the Scarpelli, the CAE has become an unmissable spot before and after matches. Bars, restaurants and cultural spaces capitalise on the flow of fans to generate business, and the club is starting to see this synergy as a goldmine. Partnerships with the CAE for parking, match‑day events and sponsor activations are the kind of marketing play that, when well executed, boosts revenue without relying solely on results on the pitch. It's that smart monetisation that separates the clubs stuck in the Série B from those fighting at the top end.

What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel: the Série B heating up

While Figueirense rest today, other direct competitors are in action in the Copa do Brasil. And you know, the knockout tournament is quite a thermometer. Take the example of the Série B teams that hit the pitch this afternoon:

• Tuna Luso x Tocantinópolis: a clash between the North and Northeast regions that shakes up the qualification standings for the next rounds – and, on top of that, generates prize money that makes a difference to any club's budget.
• Favourites from the Série B: as whispered behind the scenes of the competition, the second‑division clubs went in as favourites against opponents from lower tiers. Not all will confirm that status, and that's where Figueira needs to be alert.

Why does this matter to the black and white fan? Simple: if Figueirense advance in the Copa do Brasil – and they're yet to make their debut in the competition, having had a bye in the first round – they'll face one of these qualifiers. And depending on who gets through, the path could be smoother or rougher. The football department, led by João Paulo Mello, has already scouted potential opponents. Behind the scenes at the Scarpelli, the team is working with two scenarios: facing a theoretically weaker team, but one riding a wave of confidence, or a Série A club entering in the third round. In either case, revenue from ticket sales and broadcast rights increases. And cash in the bank, in a long campaign like the Série B, is oxygen.

The commercial side of passion

It's no secret to anyone that Brazilian football lives on recurring revenue streams: membership schemes, player sales, TV deals. But Figueirense today has a unique opportunity to attract major advertisers precisely because of their engaged fan base and the surrounding infrastructure. When we talk about high commercial value, we're talking about brands that want to associate themselves with a club that has history, its own stadium, and a metropolitan region of over 1 million people.

The CAE - Centro de Artes e Espectáculos could be the bridge to that. Imagine a major drinks brand sponsoring not just the game, but a whole cultural corridor between the stadium and the events centre. Or a tour operator putting together packages for out‑of‑town fans. Whoever hasn't spotted this as a business opportunity yet is missing out on revenue. And Figueira, which has always had leaner management, is starting to show signs they want to ride this wave.

What to expect from Figueirense today and over the next 90 days

Coach Roberto Fonseca has been stressing at training sessions at the Scarpelli that the squad needs consistency. If we look at the start of the Série B, the Santa Catarina side fluctuated, but showed tactical evolution. Standouts include defensive midfielder Zé Antônio, who has become the brain of the midfield, and striker Wesley, the team's top scorer this season. Both are key pieces for any future negotiations – whether to sell for a tidy sum, or to hold onto as idols.

In my view, having covered Santa Catarina football for over 20 years, Figueirense today finds itself at one of those crossroads moments. Either they seize the good structural phase and the passion of the fans to make a leap in quality, or they'll keep flirting with the middle of the table. The Copa do Brasil comes at a good time: if they get through the first round well, it could inject around R$ 2 million into the club's coffers – money that, if well spent, pays wages and refreshes the squad for the second half of the year.

While the ball isn't rolling for Furacão, fans can start soaking up the smell of wet grass at the Orlando Scarpelli and make use of the CAE facilities to warm up their voices. Because when the final whistle blows in the other games this Wednesday, attention will turn squarely to the next black and white challenge. And then, my friend, get your heart ready.