Bahia
Esporte Clube Bahia is a Brazilian professional football club based in Salvador, the capital city of Bahia state. Founded on January 1, 1931, the club competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and plays its home matches at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium with a capacity of 66,080. Known as the Esquadrão de Aço (Steel Squadron), Bahia has achieved remarkable success throughout its history, winning the Brazilian Championship twice (1959 and 1988), claiming a record 51 state titles, and capturing five Copa do Nordeste trophies. The club has also participated in the Copa Libertadores four times, reaching the quarter-finals in 1989. In 2023, the City Football Group acquired 90% of the club's shares, marking a new era in Bahia's development.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Esporte Clube Bahia is known mainly as the Esquadrão de Aço (Steel Squadron) and competes in both the Campeonato Baiano, Bahia's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest division of the Brazilian football league system. The club was founded with the motto "Nasceu para Vencer" (Born to Win) and has established itself as one of the most successful teams in northeastern Brazil.
Most recent season and achievements
The club has maintained its presence in Brazilian football's top division and continues to compete in both domestic and international competitions. After 22 years out of international competition, Bahia returned in 2012 when they qualified for the Copa Sudamericana, an achievement repeated seven more times, with the last appearance in 2021. In 2023, the club won its 50th state championship title.
History
Early years
The Esporte Clube Bahia was founded on New Year's Day of 1931 when players from two clubs decided to merge. The Associação Atlética da Bahia and the Clube Bahiano de Tênis had decided to discontinue their football divisions. The first Bahia president was Waldemar Costa, a doctor. In the club's first year, Bahia won the Torneio Inicio and Bahia State Championship. A few years later, Bahia became the most popular team in the Northeast of Brazil and was the first club to participate in Taça Libertadores da America in 1960.
Successful period
Between 1959 and 1963, and in 1968, the club represented the state of Bahia in Taça Brasil (the precursor of the Brazilian Championship), winning the title in 1959 and finishing as runner-up in 1961 and 1963. Bahia defeated Santos' Santásticos with players like Gilmar, Mauro Ramos, Mengálvio, Coutinho, Pepe and Pelé in the 1959 final. The 1980s were the best in Bahia's history, with the club winning their second national title in 1988 against Internacional from Porto Alegre. Bahia won the first leg in Salvador by 2–1, and the second leg ended in a 0–0 tie at the Beira Rio Stadium.
Crisis and recovery
In 1997, Bahia was relegated to the Série B for the first time in its history. In 2002, the bank that had sponsored the team went bankrupt, and Bahia began a descent down the Brazilian football pyramid. The club was relegated to the Série B for the second time in 2003 and to the Série C for the first time in 2005. However, Bahia finished 2007 among the first four teams of the Third Division and was promoted to the Second Division for the 2008 season. This moment is called the "Fênix Tricolor" (tricolored phoenix) amongst Bahia fans, representing the club rising from the ashes.
Current period
From 2010 to 2014, Bahia remained in the first division. In 2013, a fan takeover led the club to pursue more socially engaged politics, focusing on racism, LGBTQ rights, and other social issues. In December 2022, it was announced that City Football Group, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, had bought a majority stake of Bahia's SAF. The acquisition was completed in May 2023, as CFG officially acquired 90% of the club's shares, making Bahia the thirteenth football club to join City Football Group.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Bahia has won the Brasileirão title twice: in 1959 and 1988. The club has also won their state title a record 51 times and has claimed five titles in the Copa do Nordeste in 2001, 2002, 2017, 2021, and 2025. Additional honors include multiple Torneio Início da Bahia titles and other regional tournaments.
Continental and global competitions
The team has appeared in the Copa Libertadores four times, reaching the quarter-finals in 1989 – their best-ever performance. Bahia has also participated in the Copa Sudamericana nine times, with their best performances being quarter-final appearances in 2018 and 2020. The club has also won international friendly tournaments, including the Friendship Cup in 1959.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
Bahia's crest is based on Corinthians' design. The club's logo incorporates elements representing the merger of the original founding clubs and features the traditional colors of blue, red, and white.
Traditional home and away kits colors
The club's home uniform consists of white shirts with blue shorts and red socks. Bahia's colors are blue, red, and white. The blue color pays homage to the Associação Atlética da Bahia; white, to the Clube Baiano de Tênis; and red for the Bahia state flag.
Traditional club anthem
The club's mascot is called Super-Homem Tricolor (Tricolor Superman), created by Ziraldo in 1979 based on the club's nickname "Esquadrão de Aço" (Steel Squad) and wears a costume very similar to the original Superman's costume.
Traditional Rivals
Vitória
Bahia has a fierce long-standing rivalry with Vitória, known as Ba-Vi. This intense rivalry drew international attention in February 2018 when nine players (four from Bahia and five from Vitória) were shown the red card in a State Championship match. Bahia has won 50 State Championships, 21 more than Vitória.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
In 2002, the bank that had sponsored the team went bankrupt, leading to financial difficulties for the club. The current ownership structure includes various commercial partnerships under the City Football Group management.
Nicknames
Bahia is known mainly as the Esquadrão de Aço (Steel Squadron), which inspired the creation of their mascot Super-Homem Tricolor (Tricolor Superman).
Ownership and finances
In December 2022, City Football Group, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, acquired a majority stake in Bahia's SAF after 98.6% of club members approved the takeover. The acquisition was completed in May 2023, with CFG officially acquiring 90% of the club's shares, while the original administration kept the remaining 10% of shares, as well as full rights over club heritage items, including shirt colors and the emblem.
Traditions and culture
The club was founded with the motto "Nasceu para Vencer" (Born to Win). Despite playing in the Third Division of Brazilian football in 2007, Bahia had the largest average attendance in Brazil: 40,400 people per match. The club has consistently achieved high attendance figures throughout different divisions and has also achieved the biggest average attendance in Brazil in 2004 (Second Division), 1988 (First Division), 1986 (First Division), and 1985 (First Division).
Stadium
Bahia played at the Fonte Nova stadium from its inauguration in 1951 until November 2007. During a game against Vila Nova, a part of the stadium collapsed, killing seven people and injuring more than 30. After that episode, the state government declared that the stadium would be demolished. A new stadium was built on the site for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. With the reopening of the Fonte Nova stadium in 2013 as the Arena Fonte Nova, a modern arena built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Bahia resumed playing its matches there. The club had also played at the Joia da Princesa stadium in Feira de Santana in 2008, and from 2009 to 2013 at the Estádio de Pituaçu in Salvador.