Figueirense today: taking the temperature of 'The Hurricane' in Serie 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 in action today, but the activity behind the scenes and on the pitch at the Estádio Orlando Scarpelli sets the tone for what we can expect from 'The Hurricane' 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 knows: 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, the effort on the pitch increases by about 30%. It's there, in the stadium precinct, 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 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 who just survive in Serie B from those who fight at the top.
What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel: Serie B heating up
While Figueirense rest today, other direct competitors are in action in the Copa do Brasil. And look, the knockout tournament is quite a thermometer. Take the example of the Serie B teams that took to the field this afternoon:
- Tuna Luso vs Tocantinópolis: a North vs Northeast duel that shakes up the qualification table for the next rounds – and, as a bonus, generates prize money that makes a difference to any club's budget.
- Serie B teams as favourites: as the word around the competition has it, the second-division clubs went in as favourites against opponents from lower leagues. Not all will confirm that favouritism, and that's where Figueira need 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 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 the potential opponents. Behind the scenes at the Scarpelli, they're working with two scenarios: facing a theoretically weaker team, but one riding high on confidence, or a Serie A club entering in the third round. In either case, gate receipts and broadcast revenue increase. And cash in the bank, in a long championship like Serie B, is oxygen.
The commercial side of passion
It's no secret that Brazilian football lives on recurring revenue: membership schemes, player sales, TV rights. 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 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 match, but an entire cultural corridor between the stadium and the events centre. Or a tour operator putting together packages for out-of-town fans. Whoever hasn't seen this as a business opportunity yet 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 in the next 90 days
Coach Roberto Fonseca has been repeating in training at the Scarpelli that the squad needs consistency. If we look at the start of Serie B, the Santa Catarina team had ups and downs, but showed tactical evolution. Standout players 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 negotiation – 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 take advantage of the good structural phase and the passion of the fans to make a quality leap, 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, well spent, pays wages and refreshes the squad for the second half of the year.
While the ball isn't rolling for The Hurricane yet, fans can go and smell the 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 fully to the next black and white challenge. And then, my friend, get ready to cheer.