Estadio Joaquim Portugal

The air at the Estádio Joaquim Portugal carries the weight of a century. It has stood since 1919. The ground sits in the Matosinhos neighbourhood, a place where the old names have fallen away. It was once Arena Unimed, then Arena Sicredi after October 2023, but the locals still call it the Coliseu.

The white building at the end of the pitch looks out over the city. Inside, the grass is green and cut short. It is natural turf. The stands are simple, with rows of seats facing the field.

The stadium has seen everything. In January 2021 it held vaccination points instead of football fans. Now it hosts the matches for Athletic Club, the side known as the Esquadrão de Aço. They have played here since returning to professional football in 2018. The capacity has grown to 6,324, though many remember when the numbers were smaller.

The last time the place was full was in October 2024, when Volta Redonda came to win the Série C title. The final score was 2-0, and the visitors left with the trophy.