Figueirense Today: Taking the Pulse of 'Furacão' in Serie B and Lessons from the Copa do Brasil

Wednesday, March 4, 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 fans turn to the Estreito neighbourhood. Figueirense isn't playing today, but the behind-the-scenes action and the activity on the pitch at Estádio Orlando Scarpelli set the tone for what we can expect from 'Furacão' in the second half of the Serie B season 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 stage for games. It's a cauldron of passion. And in this early part of the season, the board has been heavily investing in the fan experience, precisely to turn the black-and-white home into a competitive advantage. The attendance numbers in 2026 show the strategy works: when Figueira plays in front of its home crowd, the effort on the pitch increases by about 30%. It's there, in the stadium's surroundings, that the pre-game buzz comes alive – and that's where a 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 a must-visit spot before and after matches. Bars, restaurants, and cultural spaces leverage 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, gameday events, and sponsor activations are the kind of marketing plays that, when well executed, boost revenue without relying solely on on-field results. It's what we call smart monetization – the kind that separates the clubs that just survive in Serie B from the ones that fight at the top.

Out of sight, out of mind: the Serie B heating up

While Figueirense rests today, other direct competitors are in action in the Copa do Brasil. And let me tell you, this knockout tournament is quite the thermometer. Take the example of the Serie 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, as a bonus, generates prize money that makes a difference in any club's budget.
• Favourites from Serie B: as the buzz behind the scenes goes, the 'Segundona' clubs entered as favourites against opponents from lower divisions. Not all will confirm that favouritism, and that's exactly where Figueira needs to be alert.

Why does this matter for the black-and-white fan? Simple: if Figueirense advances in the Copa do Brasil – and they're yet to debut in the competition, having had a bye in the first round – they'll face one of these qualifiers. And depending on who goes through, the path ahead could be more or less thorny. The football executive board, led by João Paulo Mello, has already scouted potential opponents. Behind the scenes at the Scarpelli, they're working with two scenarios: facing a theoretically weaker team riding high on morale, or a Serie A club entering in the third round. In either case, revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting rights goes up. And cash in the bank, in a long championship like Serie B, is pure oxygen.

The commercial side of passion

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

The CAE - Centro de Artes e Espectáculos can be the bridge for that. Imagine a major beverage brand sponsoring not just the game, but a whole cultural corridor between the stadium and the event centre. Or a tour operator putting together packages for out-of-town fans. Anyone who hasn't seen this as a business opportunity yet is losing money. And Figueira, which has always had a leaner management style, is starting to show signs it wants to ride this wave.

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

Head coach Roberto Fonseca has been repeating in training at the Scarpelli that the squad needs consistency. Looking at the start of Serie B, the Santa Catarina team had its ups and downs but showed tactical evolution. Standouts include defensive midfielder Zé Antônio, who has become the brain of the midfield, and forward Wesley, the team's top scorer this season. Both are key pieces for any future negotiations – whether to sell for a big fee or to keep as idols.

In my view, having covered Santa Catarina football for over 20 years, Figueirense today is at one of those crossroads. Either they seize the moment with good structural conditions and passionate fan support to make a quality leap, or they'll keep flirting with the middle of the table. The Copa do Brasil comes at a great time: if they get past 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' just yet, fans can start soaking in the smell of wet grass at Orlando Scarpelli and enjoy the facilities at the CAE to warm up their voices. Because when the final whistle blows in the other games this Wednesday, all attention will turn squarely to the next black-and-white challenge. And then, my friend, get your heart ready.