Brazil’s 2026 Brasileirão Feminino Série A1 Kicks Off Amid Growth and Financial Struggles

The 2026 Brasileirão Feminino Série A1 has started with an expanded format featuring 18 teams, an increase from previous seasons, and a total of 167 scheduled matches running from February to October. This growth reflects greater interest and investment, with all participating clubs also securing spots in the Copa do Brasil Feminina, which runs alongside the league. Key representatives from Rio Grande do Sul, including the Gre-Nal rivalry clubs and Juventude, have strengthened their lineups ahead of the new campaign, aiming to build on recent regional successes such as Grêmio’s consecutive Gauchão championships.

However, despite the expansion and increased prize money, significant financial challenges and structural hurdles persist within Brazilian women's football. Several clubs have disbanded or downsized their women’s teams due to funding shortages. Real Brasília withdrew from the competition after losing its main sponsor, and Fortaleza shuttered its squad following financial restructuring and missed federation deadlines. Even established clubs like Flamengo cut their women's team budgets by 40%, while Palmeiras struggles with costly match hosting at Allianz Parque. Meanwhile, Mirassol only recently established a women's team after qualifying for continental competition, underscoring inconsistent compliance with CBF mandates requiring men's elite clubs to maintain women’s squads.

CBF continues to invest in women’s football, offering financial incentives such as R$20,000 for televised matches and R$720,000 for initial phase participation. Vice-president of Internacional Ivandro Morbach emphasized that increasing visibility and revenue is vital for sustainability. Still, many call for a strategic shift in how clubs perceive women's football to ensure long-term development rather than fragile, short-term projects. Ferroviária stands out as an exception, maintaining its women's team independently of men's results.

The 2026 season thus marks a critical juncture—showcasing clear expansion and ambition but highlighting that financial stability and broader structural support remain essential for the future growth of Brazil’s women’s game.