Figueirense today: taking the temperature of 'Furacão' in 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 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 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 is more than just a stage for games. 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. Attendance figures in 2026 show the strategy works: when Figueira play in front of their home crowd, on-field performance jumps by about 30%. It's there, 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 a 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 beginning to see this synergy as a goldmine. Partnerships with the CAE for parking, matchday events, and sponsor activations are the kind of marketing moves that, when well executed, increase revenue without relying solely on on-field results. It's what you'd call smart monetisation, the kind that separates the clubs stuck in mid-table Série B from those fighting at the top.

Out of sight, out of mind: the Série B battle heats up

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

• Tuna Luso v Tocantinópolis: a North v Northeast duel 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.
• Série B teams as favourites: as the word around the competition has it, the second division sides 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 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 more or less tricky. The football board, led by João Paulo Mello, has already scouted potential opponents. Behind the scenes at the Scarpelli, they're 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, revenue from gate receipts and broadcast rights goes up. And cash in the bank, in a long campaign like Série B, is oxygen.

The commercial side of passion

It's no secret that Brazilian football lives off recurring revenue: membership schemes, player sales, TV deals. But Figueirense today has a unique opportunity to attract major advertisers precisely because of its engaged fanbase 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 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 spotted this as a business opportunity is losing money. And Figueira, which has always had leaner management, is starting to show signs it wants 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. Looking at the start of Série B, the Santa Catarina side have been inconsistent but have shown tactical improvement. Highlights include holding 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 big fee or to hold onto as idols.

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

While the ball isn't rolling for Furacão yet, fans can go and get a whiff of the wet grass at 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, attention will turn fully to the next black-and-white challenge. And then, my friend, brace yourself.