Figueirense Today: The Thermometer for 'Furacão' in Série B and Lessons from the Copa do Brasil

Wednesday, 4 March 2026. While the ball gets rolling 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 supporters turn to Estreito. Figueirense aren't in action today, but the movement behind the scenes and on the pitch at 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 surge 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 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 play in front of their home crowd, their on-field performance jumps by about 30%. It's there, in the area surrounding the stadium, that the pre-match build-up 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 an absolute must-visit 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, events on matchdays, and sponsor activations are the kind of marketing move that, when well executed, boosts revenue without relying solely on results on the pitch. It's what you'd call smart monetisation that separates the clubs who just stay in Série B from those who fight at the top.

What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't grieve over: 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 the thermometer. Take the example of the Série B teams that took to the field this afternoon:

• Tuna Luso v Tocantinópolis: a clash between the North and Northeast regions that shakes up the standings for the next rounds – and, as a bonus, generates prize money that makes a difference to any club's budget.
• Favourites from Série B: as the word on the street within the competition has it, the second-division clubs went in as favourites against opponents from lower leagues. Not all will confirm that status, and that's where Figueira need to pay attention.

Why does this matter to the black-and-white fan? Simple: if Figueirense progress 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 comes through, the path could be more or less tricky. The football department, led by João Paulo Mello, has already mapped out the potential opponents. Behind the scenes at the Scarpelli, the team is working on two scenarios: facing a theoretically weaker team, but one riding high on confidence, or a Série A club that enters in the third round. In either case, gate receipts and broadcast rights revenue go up. And cash in the bank, in a long championship like Série B, is oxygen.

The commercial side of passion

It's no secret to anyone that Brazilian football lives on recurring revenue: membership schemes, player sales, TV money. But Figueirense today have a unique opportunity to attract heavyweight advertisers precisely because of their engaged fanbase 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 inhabitants.

The CAE - Centro de Artes e Espectáculos could be the bridge to that. Imagine a major drinks brand sponsoring not just the game, but an entire cultural corridor between the stadium and the events centre. Or a tour operator putting together packages for out-of-town fans. Anyone who hasn't yet spotted this as a business opportunity is losing money. And Figueira, who have always had a leaner management style, are beginning to show signs they want to ride this wave.

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

Manager Roberto Fonseca has been repeating in training at the Scarpelli that the squad needs consistency. If we look at the start of Série B, the Santa Catarina side had their ups and downs, but showed tactical evolution. Special mentions go to defensive midfielder Zé António, who has become the brains of the midfield, and to forward Wesley, the team's top scorer this season. Both are key assets for any future negotiation – whether to sell for a tidy sum, or to hold onto as icons.

In my view, as someone who's covered Santa Catarina football for over 20 years, Figueirense today are at one of those crossroads moments. Either they seize the good structural phase and the passion of the fans to make a quality leap, or they'll keep flirting with mid-table. The Copa do Brasil comes at just the right time: if they get through the first round well, it could inject around R$ 2 million into the club's coffers – money that, wisely 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 go and get a whiff of that damp grass smell at the Orlando Scarpelli and make use of the CAE facilities to warm up their vocal cords. Because when the final whistle blows in the other games this Wednesday, all attention will turn definitively to the next black-and-white challenge. And then, my friend, get your heart ready.