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

Wednesday, 4 March 2026. While the action unfolds 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 isn't in action today, but the behind-the-scenes movements and the activity on the pitch at the Estádio Orlando Scarpelli set the tone for what we can expect from 'Furacão' in the second half of the Série B campaign, and perhaps, 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. 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 for 2026 show the strategy works: when Figueira plays in front of their home crowd, the effort on the pitch increases by about 30%. It's there, in the stadium precinct, where the pre-match buzz truly comes alive – and that's where an often underestimated asset comes into play: the CAE - Centro de Artes e Espectáculos (Centre for Arts and Entertainment).

Located just a few blocks from the Scarpelli, the CAE has become an essential spot for fans before and after matches. Bars, restaurants, and cultural spaces capitalise on the flow of supporters 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 plays that, when well executed, boost revenue without relying solely on on-field results. It's what they call smart monetisation – the kind that separates the clubs stuck in the Série B from those fighting at the top.

What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel: the Série 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 a real barometer. Take the example of the Série B teams that played this afternoon:

• Tuna Luso x Tocantinópolis: a North vs. Northeast duel that shakes up the qualification standings for the next rounds – and, as a bonus, offers prize money that makes a difference to any club's budget.
• Série B teams as favourites: As the buzz backstage suggests, the second-division clubs went in as favourites against lower-league opponents. Not all will confirm that favouritism, and that's where Figueira needs to pay attention.

Why does this matter to the black and white fan? Simple: if Figueirense advances in the Copa do Brasil – and they've 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 get more or less tricky. The football department, led by João Paulo Mello, has already mapped out 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 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 pure oxygen.

The commercial side of passion

It's no secret that Brazilian football relies on recurring revenue streams: membership schemes, player sales, TV deals. But Figueirense today has a unique opportunity to attract heavyweight advertisers precisely because of its engaged fanbase and the surrounding infrastructure. When we talk about high commercial value, we're talking about brands wanting 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 could be the bridge to that. Imagine a major beverage 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 leaving money on the table. 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

Coach Roberto Fonseca has been emphasising in training at the Scarpelli that the squad needs consistency. Looking at the start of the Série B, the Santa Catarina team had some ups and downs, but showed tactical improvement. Standout players 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 assets for any future negotiations – whether for a big-money sale or to keep as fan 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 strong structural phase and the passion of the fans to make a quality leap, or they'll keep flirting with mid-table mediocrity. The Copa do Brasil comes at a good time: if they get past the first round successfully, it could inject around R$ 2 million into the club's coffers – money that, if well spent, covers wages and strengthens the squad for the second half of the year.

While the ball isn't rolling for Furacão just yet, fans can start getting a whiff of that 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 those other games this Wednesday, all attention will turn definitively to the next black and white challenge. And then, my friend, get your heart ready.