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Palmeiras set to introduce standing section at Allianz Parque

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club Palmeiras is planning to introduce a standing area at Allianz Parque.

According to Globo, the so-called “setor popular” (popular sector) will offer tickets for just R$40 (£5/€6/$7), with the move designed to attract lower-income fans to matches at the São Paulo venue.

Palmeiras president Maurício Galiotte has received approval from stadium operator WTorre to open the sector, which will have a capacity for 723 fans. The space will be located in Allianz Parque’s North Stand.

The minimum price for a ticket in the league is R$40 and Palmeiras hopes that the new space will attract fans who have previously felt priced out. The cheapest general admission ticket for last weekend’s match against Internacional was R$90.

Globo reports that the space is currently being adjusted to ensure that it can facilitate standing. The space would require approval from the local police and fire departments before it can be opened.

Safe standing is set to be introduced in the top two divisions of English football from January, and it emerged earlier this month that six clubs from the Premier League and Championship had applied for their stadiums to form part of a trial.

Successful clubs will be able to offer a licensed safe-standing area as part of an early adopter programme that was announced last month.

Allianz Parque recently signed a sponsorship deal with Dutch brewing company Heineken. As part of the agreement, Heineken and Amstel will be the official beers of the 41,000-capacity stadium. The deal was signed as fans returned to Allianz Parque for Palmeiras’ match against Bragantino.

Last month, Allianz Parque agreed a deal for ordering platform Pede Pronto to become its official food and beverage application. The partnership will give fans the chance to order items via their phone from any of the restaurants and cafeterias within Allianz Parque.

Image: Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash