NFL in SP features sniffer dogs, banned street vendors, and red carpet

Helicopters everywhere, sniffer dogs, and drones. The NFL Sao Paulo Game had reinforced security, just like last year, as the Public Security Department of Sao Paulo informed. In a cold night in Itaquera, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers played the 2nd game of the 2025-26 NFL season, and the LA team won 27-21. The UOL was at Neo Quimica Arena and got off at Corinthians-Itaquera station. Street vendors were only seen until the exit of Shopping Metro Itaquera. On the way to the East bleachers entrance, the report observed many volunteers to guide tourists and even Brazilians. Shirts ranged from R$ 100 to R$ 150, depending on the customer’s bargaining skills. At the official store inside the stadium, prices were much higher: a jacket for R$ 1,999, a game shirt for R$ 1,119, and a sweatshirt for R$ 670. Sniffer dogs were used for security, along with metal detectors. Fans couldn’t wear football team shirts in the stadium, including the home team Corinthians, but wide receivers Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Marquise Brown, all from the Chiefs, represented the club and wore Corinthians shirts during warm-up. Lines and red carpet as attractions The gates were supposed to open at 5 pm but the public was let in eight minutes late, causing huge lines. A red carpet was set up at the West entrance for celebrities like Alexandre Pato, Rebeca Abravanel, Odell Beckham Jr., Don Tolliver, Miguel Pupo, Matheuzinho, Rayssa Leal, Mitico, Igão, and others. Curious onlookers crowded around the barriers to see who passed by. ‘Look, there’s Neymar,’ one fan joked. However, Santos’ number 10 was not in sight. Some celebrities stopped to talk, while others passed by without comments. Seventeen-year-old skateboarder Rayssa Leal, gave an interview in English and revealed her support for the Chiefs. ‘I’m happy to be here at the Arena, I support Corinthians,’ she said. ‘Evidências’ steals the show… Again Singer Ana Castela sang the Brazilian national anthem, and the entire stadium joined in. Reggaeton phenomenon, Colombian singer Karol G, was responsible for the halftime show. As loud as the anthem was the classic ‘I Don’t Want Money’ by Tim Maia. During the game, bright bracelets given to fans put on a stunning light show, synchronized with the music and bracelet lighting. However, nothing compared to another ‘national anthem’: ‘Evidências,’ a hit by Chitãozinho and Xororó, was sung throughout the stadium for the second year in a row. During the fourth quarter of the game, the DJ played the song, and when the match resumed, the over 47,000 attendees made sure to finish the chorus, a cappella.