The stadium's pitch is named 'Gramado Pelé' in honor of the player's 18-year tenure with the club.
During the 1960s, Santos FC was arguably the best team in the world, often utilizing Vila Belmiro to host high-profile international friendlies.
The stadium was originally built on land donated by two businessmen, Erasto de Araújo and Arthur Friedenreich.
Vila Belmiro has a smaller capacity compared to many major Brazilian stadiums, contributing to its intense, pressurized atmosphere for visiting teams.
The onsite museum is one of the most visited football-themed exhibitions in Brazil, housing jerseys, trophies, and historical archives.
The stadium's neighborhood, Vila Belmiro, is named after the stadium itself, highlighting the venue's deep integration into the city's urban fabric.
Urbano Caldeira Stadium, widely known as Vila Belmiro, is the historic home stadium of Santos FC, opened in 1916 and formally inaugurated in 1918. It is renowned globally as the site where Pelé, the 'King of Football,' played the majority of his club career. The stadium features a compact, classic design where the stands are positioned extremely close to the pitch. The onsite Memorial das Conquistas museum chronicles the extensive history of the club, including the era of the 'Os Santásticos' team of the 1960s. The stadium is situated in the Vila Belmiro neighborhood of Santos. It continues to host professional matches and remains a primary destination for global football pilgrims. The venue retains an intimate character uncommon in modern, large-scale bowl stadiums.
The statue of Pelé situated near the stadium entrance and the view of the pitch from the lower grandstands.
Visit the Memorial das Conquistas museum to gain access to historical artifacts and interactive exhibits.
Check the official match calendar before visiting, as stadium access is restricted on game days for non-ticket holders.
Wear lightweight clothing as the coastal climate in Santos is humid and warm year-round.
Do not attempt to enter the locker room or pitch areas without an official guided tour permit.
Closed on match days for general tours; museum hours are generally reduced on major holidays.
Respectful behavior is expected; avoid wearing opposing team jerseys if attending a match.
