Corinthians set for pandemic-era crowds at Vila Belmiro opener | OneFootball

Corinthians host Bahia in the Brasileirão opener at Santos' Vila Belmiro rather than Neo Química Arena. Meu Timao notes that this switch will mean pandemic-era levels of crowd and gate receipts.

In October 2021, when capacities were limited to 30 percent, Corinthians welcomed 11,892 for a 1-0 win against Fluminense on 13 October, taking R$604.926,00. Five days earlier, 10,470 saw a 3-1 win over Bahia, for R$520.529,90.

Vila Belmiro holds 16,068. Those pandemic attendances are roughly 70 percent of that, so matchday profit is lower than at Neo Química Arena.

At Santos’ Paulista opener, 13,091 watched a 2-1 victory over Novorizontino at Vila Belmiro, with gross revenue of R$879.897,37. Corinthians’ first State game drew 36,802 and R$2.482.182,90, almost triple on both counts.

Regardless of turnout, this Vila Belmiro date will be Corinthians’ weakest home crowd and revenue since Covid-19 restrictions. Since isolation ended, the only home match under 20,000 was a 3-1 win over Vasco in 2023, when the Arena operated behind closed doors after a homophobia case during the derby against São Paulo.

The Bahia fixture was moved as part of an agreement with Santos and the CBF to bring Corinthians’ league debut forward, aligning rest days with Flamengo before the Supercopa do Brasil. Kick-off is at 20:00 this Wednesday at Vila Belmiro, then Corinthians face Flamengo at Mané Garrincha in Brasília at 16:00 on Sunday, one February.

Source: Meu Timao