Maracanã Sem Álcool

I have finally figured out what the S.A. in Maracanã S.A. stands for: sem álcool. The good news about last weekend’s Vasco x Fluminense game (aside from the result) was that there is still some life in carioca fan culture. The bad news is that this culture will likely wither on the vine as the areas around the stadium have been completely sanitized and securitized and ticket prices are going to be out of reach for the majority. The cheapest ticket was R$60 with the usual caveat that anyone with a way to squirm themselves into a half-price ticket will do so. For the upcoming Flamengo x Botafogo match this weekend, the cheapest seat is R$100. For fun, what follows is a comparison between two classicos held three years apart. While I recognize the limitations of statistical comparison based on two events, they are reflective of some general trends that have been through a more robust analysis than I care to expose my merry band of elephant hunters to.

Vasco x Fluminense, 21 July 2013

Total gate receipts R$ 1,554,000.00

Total fans: 46,860

Ratio of paying fans to non-paying: 34,634 (74%) / 12,226 (26%)

Average ticket price per person present: R$33.16

Average ticket price per paying fan: R$44.87     

Missing revenue (nonpaying fans x average paying fan price): R$584,458

Vasco x Flamengo, 1 August 2010

Total gate receipts R$ 1.368.290,00

Total fans: 60.202

Ratio of paying fans to non-paying: 50.447 (84%) / 9755 (16%)

Average ticket price per person present: R$ 22.73

Average ticket price per paying fan: R$ 27.11

Missing revenue (nonpaying fans x average paying fan price): R$ 264,430.71

Some broad generalizations can be drawn from these numbers:

45% increase in overall ticket price

65% increase in ticket price per paying fan

10% increase in gratuities

221% increase in missing revenue

23% fewer fans produced 13.5% more profit

And here are some photos to make you choke and sputter like the Popemobile in a Guaratiba mudpit.

23, 25, 26? The edge of rows all have different numbers. 

The Lords of the Rings may or may not be getting their drink on. 

The Museo do Ìndio and the Xaracanã. This area was formerly inside the walls of the Aldeia and covered with trees. When I asked the security guard if there were still Indigenous people living here he laughed sarcastically. 

Manifestation in front of the Xaracanã before the game. Aha ooho, O Maraca é Nosso!

The seats inthe middle started at R$120 and went as high as R$250. No wonder they were empty. From 50 rows up, the view of the entire field is possible. Any lower down and one wouldn´t be able to see the corner of the field. Note the absurdity of the line of security guards staring at the empty stands to prevent pitch invasions. For this game, the authorities liberated the use of traditional flags and musical instruments. Next time, who knows.