The Reason Why Soccer Matches in Belo Horizonte Need a Better Scheduling Plan

 The majority of Belo Horizonte root for either Atlético-MG or Cruzeiro. Both teams’ fans always make sure all games have a big base of cheer whether the matches are at the Arena MRV or Mineirão., This is especially implemented in the "clássico”, a game where the rivals play against each other. Unlike other games, clássicos can be scheduled on any day of the week... 

  It is very fun to go to a soccer match and support your favorite team with friends and family. However, it isn't so enjoyable  for everyone in BH. During these rival games, we have an even bigger rival - the traffic.

  As someone who cheers for Atlético, I enjoy watching these matches live. However, as someone who lives in Belo Horizonte and is used to the usual traffic that occurs before, during, and after “classical” games, I get really overwhelmed . I simply love the clássico, but the traffic, especially during the evening throughout the week, disturbs the entire city. 

  Students in other schools around Belo Horizonte suffer from the same issue as those who participate in after-school activities at EABH, since the traffic is mainly congested around the time they leave school. The Brazilian secondary system requires that students have classes post-lunch until 5pm, and athletes at EABH leave at 4:45pm or  later. Because of similar schedules, all these students may have trouble leaving a normal day of practice/class, all due to a gigantic traffic that seems never-ending. 

  The problem is that, at this time, the traffic is not only bad for students. Many workers  who live in nearby cities also suffer to arrive home after they leave work, since the route out of Belo Horizonte passes through Pampulha, where both stadiums are located and traffic congestion is worst. People who have to cross the city center in order to arrive home also face the same issue.

  On  weekends, when fewer people are working or studying, match scheduling is less of an issue. But throughout the week, games disturb many citizens, including the soccer fans who leave work early to watch the match on the TV, at home. This could be changed if the match was scheduled to be 1h later (20:30), when traffic is  lighter and primarily consists of soccer fans, not affecting workers and students. Even though traffic cannot be fully eliminated, it can be minimized in order to not disturb as many citizens as it does right now.