By Samindra Kunti
July 13 – The new Mineirão stadium is proving to be a hit with Atletico Mineiro fans. The club has recorded an average attendance of 49,175 at the ground so far this season, beating average Premier League and Bundesliga attendances.
Atletico Mineiro traditionally played their games at the Independência stadium in downtown Belo Horizonte, but since the opening in December 2012 of the revamped Mineirão, home ground of city rivals Cruzeiro and host of six World Cup matches, the club has played eight times at the UFO-shaped stadium.
The fans have flocked in vast numbers to the Mineirão, recording an average attendance of 49,175. The average attendance in the Premier League is 36,083, while the Bundesliga, the best attended league in the world, clocks off at 42,685 fans on average. The Copa Libertadores final against Paraguay’s Olimpia in 2013 was the best attended game with 56,557 fans in the stands cheering on the hosts.
The big crowds have brought in big gate receipts, totaling €9.2 million, with the Copa Libertadores final bringing in a staggering €3.9 million, the biggest gate receipt in the history of Brazilian club football.
Other World Cup stadiums have been less successful in keeping operations going with the national stadium in Brasilia and the Arena da Amazonia in Manuas struggling to break-even. The Maracana often fails to attract crowds in excess of 30,000.
Atletico Mineiro top the Brazilian league with 26 points after 12 matches. Fluminense are in second with 24 points. Cruzeiro are languishing in mid-table with 13 points.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1731700144labto1731700144ofdlr1731700144owedi1731700144sni@i1731700144tnuk.1731700144ardni1731700144mas1731700144