Estádio Leonardo Vinagre da Silveira

The ground at Rua Porfírio Costa sits in the Cruz das Armas quarter of João Pessoa, a patch of earth that has been watching football since January 1944. For thirty years it was the city’s main stage, hosting matches until the larger Estádio Almeidão took over in 1975.

The surface changed recently. A renovation completed in early 2025 brought artificial turf to replace the natural grass, alongside new dressing rooms and LED lighting. The capacity was trimmed to fit exactly 3,000 spectators, a sharp contrast to the crowds that once packed the stands. The record attendance stands at around 7,000 people, set during a Copa do Nordeste clash between Botafogo-PB and Sport do Recife in 2002.

Three clubs call this place home now: Auto Esporte, Miramar Esporte Clube, and Flamengo Paraibano. It is a small venue, but one that holds its own history. The 2025 works were not just cosmetic; they included fire safety systems and a reduction in seating that prioritised safety over numbers. The stadium reopened in May 2025 after being closed for the duration of the project.

It is not a grand arena, but it is a working ground. It has hosted charity matches and community tournaments like the Taça das Favelas Paraíba.