São Caetano, R$ 72 million in debt, pin hopes on stadium concession | OneFootball

São Caetano are pinning survival on a long-term concession of the Anacleto Campanella. According to Globo.com, the fourth-tier Paulista club without a national berth want a 20-year deal from 2027 with up to R$ 30 million in private investment.

Owner Jorge Machado said the concession would save the club, recalling he arrived with bankruptcy 15 days away before renegotiating debts, avoiding collapse and entering judicial recovery. He said partners are needed.

The plan starts with a synthetic pitch to cut upkeep and cope with heavy use. The club aim to host shows and community events, from amateur football to schools and families.

Works would refurbish stands, dressing rooms and boxes. Capacity is forecast to rise from 6,000 to 13,000, with sections currently closed for safety and structural issues.

The ownership estimates at least 10 large events a year to help fund the professional team. Today costs are mainly covered by Machado and payments from the São Paulo federation, plus a few minor sponsors.

São Caetano carry R$ 72 million in debt and are working to homologate the judicial recovery. This season they lost in the Série A4 semi-finals and went out of the Copa Paulista to Primavera, 12-0 on aggregate.

Opened in 1955, the Anacleto Campanella is owned by São Caetano do Sul’s city hall, which had not responded at the time of publication. Twenty-five years ago it hosted the 2001 Campeonato Brasileiro final between São Caetano and Athletico-PR.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”