Maracanã could undergo major changes

Flamengo 's board of directors has once again discussed alternatives to increase fan attendance at Maracanã. During a Deliberative Council meeting held on Monday (11), the club presented the possibility of removing seats from the North sector as a way to increase the stadium's capacity and meet the growing demand for tickets.

The idea, according to president Luiz Eduardo Baptista (BAP), is inspired by models used by other Brazilian soccer stadiums, such as Grêmio 's stadium and Neo Química Arena. Both have already adopted similar solutions, prioritizing standing fans in the most popular sections, which allows for greater compactness and, consequently, more people per square meter.

However, the removal of the seats is subject to formal approval, as Maracanã is a listed heritage site. Furthermore, the proposal isn't limited to removing the seats: the board is also considering moving the stands closer to the pitch, similar to what's done at Monumental de Núñez, River Plate's stadium. The goal is clear: to intensify the atmosphere at Flamengo matches.

During the meeting, Bap used a metaphor to illustrate the intended impact of the stadium changes. "If we create a permanent 'welcome to hell' atmosphere, it will be good," the director declared, highlighting the fans' role as an agent of pressure at home games. The information was reported by 'Coluna do Fla'.

In fact, the stadium's management, currently led by the club itself in conjunction with Fluminense , has delivered satisfactory financial results. The operating surplus reached 64% this year, compared to 31% the previous year, with targets to reach 70% by December. This scenario, in fact, contributed to the cooling of the project to build its own arena.

Despite the euphoria surrounding the figures, the board remains cautious about structural investments. As Bap explained, Flamengo does not intend to compromise its finances on bold projects. "We're not going to do anything crazy," the president stated, reinforcing that any improvements to Maracanã will be made within a framework of budgetary responsibility.

In this same context, the club is also considering installing protective netting in the section designated for visiting fans. This change could free up around five thousand new seats for the red-and-blacks, without the need for major structural changes.

Therefore, Flamengo is focusing its efforts, at least for now, on modernizing the Maracanã stadium, increasing its operational efficiency and strengthening the team's on-field support environment. A dedicated arena, for now, remains off the board's immediate radar.