- Address: Rua Princesa Isabel, Santos
- Country: Brazil
- Capacity: 16,000
- Opened: 12 October 1916
- Main use: Football
- Tenants: Santos FC (football)
Extra stadium info – Estádio Urbano Caldeira
The stadium is nicknamed Vila Belmiro. It is the home of Santos Futebol Clube, one of the first Brazilian sports clubs with 1 million followers on its main social media page. The club was founded in 1912. Santos FC won the inaugural football match at the venue. They were crowned Brazilian football champions in 1961 for the first time in their history. Santos FC were crowned South American football champions in 1962 for the first time in their history after beating Peñarol from Uruguay.
World champions
Santos Futebol Clube won the tournament which ended as the Toyota Cup, the former world championship for football clubs, twice in the 1960s. Santos FC won the third edition of the world championship for football clubs in 1962 after beating SL Benfica from the Portuguese Republic in a two-legged tie. One year later, they won the fourth edition of the tournament after defeating the Italian side AC Milan.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, commonly known as Pelé, started his professional football career with Santos FC. He was named Athlete of the Century by the IOC. Pelé scored hundreds of goals for Santos FC before he signed with the New York Cosmos from the United States in 1975. In 1977, Pelé ended his professional football career. The Brazilian football legend died in Brazil in 2022 at the age of 82.
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, one of the first people with 100 million followers on his main social media page, also started his professional football career with Santos FC. In 2013, he left Santos Futebol Clube for FC Barcelona from Spain. Neymar moved to the French football club Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. He led PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League final in 2020. PSG lost the final against the German side FC Bayern München. In 2023, Neymar left PSG for Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia.
Relegation
In December 2023, Santos FC were relegated to the second level of Brazilian football for the first time in their history. The relegation followed after Fortaleza Esporte Clube defeated Santos Futebol Clube at the stadium named Estádio Urbano Caldeira. Santos FC supporters tried to invade the pitch after the game, forcing football players to run to the locker rooms. The police could stop the supporters. Rioting occured around the stadium after the relegation.
