CBF Unveils Major Reforms in 2026 Brazilian Football Calendar

The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) has announced sweeping changes to the Brazilian men's professional football calendar for 2026, aiming to streamline match scheduling and improve overall competition fairness. Key modifications include reducing the number of dates for state championships from 16 to 11, while allowing the prestigious Campeonato Brasileiro to start on January 28 and run until December 2.

The Copa do Brasil will witness substantial expansion, increasing its participants from 92 to 126 clubs, which translates to a rise in matches from 122 to 155. Moreover, the final of this tournament is set to be held as a single match on December 6, instead of the traditional two-legged format. CBF’s Director of Competitions Julio Avellar stated, "The new calendar is aimed at creating a rational and balanced schedule that gives lower-tier clubs better opportunities while accommodating the needs of the larger teams."

While most federations have supported these reforms, concerns have been raised, particularly from the São Paulo state championship's president, who expressed dissatisfaction over potential drops in revenue from reduced media rights and ticket sales. Additionally, the changes might lead to more under-20 players participating in state competitions as the CBF plans to modify player selections.

Despite mixed reactions, including fan criticism over the single-match final format and worries about the lack of a preseason, CBF President Samir Xaud underscored that these reforms are essential to revitalizing Brazilian football, emphasizing a need for investment to enhance the sport's appeal. The CBF aims for an overall budget increase to R$ 1.3 billion to support these changes, as the structure of Série C and D will also undergo adjustments alongside the introduction of new tournaments like the Copa Sul-Sudeste.