PM force grows by 60% compared to 2024

A meeting at the Rio Federation (Ferj) today defined the security scheme for the duel between Flamengo and Palmeiras in the Brasileirão. The match will see a 60% increase in the police force compared to the last time Palmeiras faced Flamengo at Maracanã in the Brasileirão. This Sunday, there will be 800 military police officers, compared to 500 in the previous Serie A match in August 2024.
The Stadium Specialized Policing Battalion (Bepe) has deployed 660 agents for the upcoming game. In addition, the Military Police will assign 140 agents from the 6th Battalion to assist in the security around Maracanã.
During Palmeiras’ last game against Flamengo in Rio in August 2024, Bepe deployed 400 agents. The jump to the current 660 agents represents a 65% increase. When combined with the 6th BPM force, there will be 800 military police officers in action this Sunday, a total increase of 60% from the Brasileirão 2024 match.
Authorities use colors to classify the risk level of the game. The Flamengo vs. Palmeiras match this Sunday will be classified between orange and red (the highest level). It will not be completely red because the surrounding streets of Maracanã will not be completely closed off.
For comparison, the Flamengo vs. Racing match next Wednesday for the Libertadores will be classified as red. The high-risk assessment takes into account the history between the supporter groups and the fact that Palmeiras’ organized fans are allies of Vasco’s supporters, rivals of Flamengo.
Other agencies, such as the Municipal Guard, Civil Police, and the Railway Police Group (GPFer), will contribute around 200 agents to the operation. On Sunday, 2,000 Palmeiras fans are expected at the match. Those coming from São Paulo will have their 80 buses escorted as usual. The Federal Highway Police will hand over the operation to Bepe near Resende, keeping the route to the stadium secret for safety reasons.
Both home and away fans will have to undergo facial biometric checks at Maracanã. There will be no ticket booths open or ticket sales on the day of the match, as the tickets are already sold out. The projection is for a full Maracanã, with an estimated crowd of 69,413 attendees.