Corinthians host at Vila Belmiro after 30 years away

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Central do Timão

·17. Januar 2026

Corinthians host at Vila Belmiro after 30 years away

By Henrique Vigliotti and Larissa Beppler | Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians has agreed with Santos to hold the game against Bahia, for the Brazilian Championship debut, at Vila Belmiro, on the upcoming 28th. The change aims to ensure more rest time before the Brazilian Super Cup match against Flamengo. Initially, the match was scheduled for the 29th at Neo Química Arena, which would put Timão at a disadvantage in recovery time compared to the red-black opponent in the decision set for February 1st, at Mané Garrincha, in Brasília.

In light of this, combined with the fact that São Paulo already has another match scheduled for the same date, Corinthians decided to officially request the CBF to change the venue to Vila Belmiro. This will not be the first time Timão will play as the host at the rival's stadium: the situation has occurred on two other occasions throughout its history, both in friendly tournaments held in the last century.

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It will, therefore, be the first time the club will host an official match at Vila Belmiro. Check out, below, Corinthians' track record as a host at the Peixe stadium.

Corinthians fans at Vila Belmiro Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images

1986 – Corinthians 3 x 0 Grasshopper – International Summer Tournament

On January 17, 1986, Corinthians played in the Summer Tournament, a friendly competition, and hosted Grasshopper from Switzerland at Vila Belmiro, in front of 3,655 spectators present at the stadium. On that occasion, Timão defeated the European team 3 x 0, with goals from Édson Boaro and Lima, who scored twice. The team was fielded by then-coach Rubens Minelli as follows:

Carlos; Édson Boaro, Paulo, Edivaldo, Aílton, Biro-Biro, Casagrande (Luís Fernando), Zenon, Paulo César (Wilson Mano), Lima, and João Paulo.

1996 – Corinthians 1 x 1 Cruzeiro – Summer Tournament

Again in the Summer Tournament, this time in 1996, Corinthians hosted another match at Vila Belmiro, in a clash against Cruzeiro that ended in a 1 x 1 draw. Timão's goal was scored by Leônidas, while Marcelo scored for Raposa.

In that match, Timão faced two players who later became historical idols of the club: goalkeeper Dida, world champion in 2000 with Corinthians, and forward Dinei, three-time Brazilian champion, world champion, and São Paulo state champion in 1999 with the black-and-white jersey. On that occasion, Corinthians, under the command of Eduardo Amorim, took the field with the following lineup:

Ronaldo Giovanelli; André Santos (Luciano), Henrique (Cris), Célio Silva, Silvinho, Bernardo (Marcelinho Paulista), Júlio César, Mazinho Loyola, Leônidas, Jorginho (Silva), and João Paulo (Gláuber).

Exactly 30 years later, Corinthians will host a match at Vila Belmiro again, this time for the Brasileirão, defending an unbeaten streak as the host at Santos' stadium, with the possibility of extending the positive record and filling the rival's house.

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