Abstract Aim: This study contextualizes the establishment of Montes Claros Sports Square, in Minas Gerais, through the look of Gazeta do Norte newspaper, and its alignment with a nation project to be established by the government of Getúlio Vargas, who took office in 1930. He formulated actions for a ‘national reconstruction’ project, for which, from society, it was necessary to emerge both physically and morally healthy subjects, fundamental conditions for the construction of the aforementioned new nation, and which could reach the Brazilians in the hinterlands. Thus, this study aimed to narrate a history of the construction of Montes Claros Sports Square, from the end of the 1930s until 1945, during Getúlio Vargas’ first term as President of the Republic, with Benedito Valadares as Governor of Minas Gerais. Methods: The study was based on the extensive collection of data researched in Gazeta do Norte newspaper. Results: Symbol of a modern project for sports, the Sports Square was announced by the governor during his visit to the city, in January 1939, and established on the Oswaldo Cruz meadow. It is possible to verify that, notably, in the 15 years of Getúlio Vargas’ first term, the practice of sports is developed and consolidates itself as an ‘actor’ in the social space of Montes Claros. Conclusion: In this city, in addition to the construction of the Sports Square, it was necessary to educate and inform the individuals. It can be said that the newspaper Gazeta do Norte firmly contributed to Vargas’ nation project.

Resumo Este artigo objetivou analisar o contexto social associado ao lazer nos jogos do Clube Atlético Mineiro e do Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, em bares de Montes Claros (MG), em 2016/17, com o uso de observação e aplicação de questionário semiestruturado. As análises convergiram em direção aos estudos de Gastaldo (2005a, 2005b), em Porto Alegre; Azevedo e Santos (2008) e Barral (2012), em Brasília; Origuela e Silva (2013) e Origuela (2014), em Piracicaba; e Abrantes (2015), em Belo Horizonte. Apesar da distância, a assistência aos jogos foi similar. Em Montes Claros, reduto de atleticanos e cruzeirenses, o bar assemelha-se a um estádio, torna-se um local de lazer da cidade.

Abstract This article aimed to analyze the social context associated with leisure in the matches of Clube Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, in bars of Montes Claros-MG, in the years 2016/17, using observation and application of semi-structured questionnaire. The analyzes converged towards the studies of Gastaldo (2005a, 2005b), in Porto Alegre; Azevedo and Santos (2008) and Barral (2012), in Brasília; Origuela and Silva (2013) and Origuela (2014), in Piracicaba; and Abrantes (2015), in Belo Horizonte. Despite the distance, the attendance at matches was similar. In Montes Claros, a stronghold of fans of both clubs, the bar resembles a stadium, becoming a place of leisure of the city.

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar el contexto social asociado con el ocio en los partidos del Club Atlético Mineiro y del Cruzeiro Esporte Clube en bares de Montes Claros-MG, en los años 2016 y 2017, utilizando la observación y la aplicación del cuestionario semiestructurado. Los análisis convergieron hacia los estudios de Gastaldo (2005a, 2005b) en Porto Alegre; Azevedo y Santos (2008) y Barral (2012) en Brasilia; Origuela y Silva (2013), y Origuela (2014) en Piracicaba, y Abrantes (2015) en Belo Horizonte. A pesar de la distancia, la asistencia a los partidos fue similar. En Montes Claros, bastión de los hinchas de los dos clubes, el bar se parece a un estadio, pues se convierte en un lugar de ocio de la ciudad.