The Brazilian Série A is heading towards significant changes in the main sponsorship of up to 40% of the clubs in the 2026 season. So far, only one change has been confirmed. Cruzeiro will leave Betfair and start displaying Betnacional in the main space on its uniform. Both brands belong to Flutter Brazil, which has chosen to reorganize its strategy in the Brazilian market.
Meanwhile, Betfair is likely to leave the top division of Brazilian football. Its contract with Vasco, which guaranteed R$70 million, ended at the end of 2025 and was renewed. Therefore, the club continues its search for a new partner to occupy the prime sponsorship space on its jersey.
Why do so many clubs in the Brazilian Championship renegotiate or terminate their main sponsorship contracts?
Corinthians is among the clubs renegotiating values with their current sponsors. After Flamengo announced a contract with Betano in August worth R$ 268 million per season, the club from Parque São Jorge requested an adjustment from Esportes da Sorte.
Discussions are ongoing, and therefore there is still a possibility of a change in the main sponsor.
However, the club rejected a proposal from Responsa Gaming Brasil Limitada to create TimãoBet. The board deemed the company unreliable enough to secure a contract of such high value.
Furthermore, Corinthians is demonstrating caution after recent experiences with brands such as VaideBet and Taunsa, agreements that generated negative impacts on its institutional image.
Other clubs in the Brazilian Championship are also renegotiating their contracts. Coritiba and Chapecoense, who gained promotion to the national elite, are seeking financial adjustments to maintain their current agreements with Reals and Aurora, respectively, since the change in division has altered the commercial landscape for the teams.
What happened in the Alfa case involving Grêmio and Internacional?
Announced at the beginning of the year as the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of Grêmio and Internacional, the agreement with Alfa has turned into a problem for the clubs from Rio Grande do Sul. The contract stipulated a duration of three seasons, with a minimum transfer of R$ 50 million per year to each team.
However, payment delays led Grêmio to terminate the agreement in early December. The club played its last two Brasileirão matches displaying the EnergiaBet brand, in a one-off agreement. Currently, Grêmio is negotiating with other companies to determine who will occupy the main space on the jersey.
Internacional has not yet publicly commented on the delays from its commercial partner. According to information gathered by the Máquina do Esporte website, the club has not yet made a final decision about the future of the contract.
Which clubs maintain stability in their main shirt sponsorship?
Clubs that retain their main sponsors generally have long-term contracts. Red Bull Bragantino is the most obvious example, as Red Bull, the sponsor of the sponsorship space, owns the club. Furthermore, other teams exhibit similar stability.
Fluminense has a contract with Superbet until 2030, while Flamengo has a contract with Betano until 2028. A larger group includes Atlético-MG, Botafogo, Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Vitória, which have contracts valid until 2027 with H2bet, VBet, Sportingbet, Superbet, and 7K, respectively.
Santos seeks new partner
Next year marks the end of the contracts for Athletico-PR and Bahia, both with Viva Sorte Bet, as well as Santos, which had a contract with 7K. In the case of the São Paulo club, the termination of the agreement was brought forward.
In an official statement, the club and 7K announced that “it was decided, by mutual agreement, to terminate the main sponsorship partnership.” The club thanked the company for their collaboration during the 2025 season and clarified that “actions foreseen in the contract will still be carried out and delivered in the coming weeks.”
Among the possibilities to occupy the main space on the Santos jersey is Betano. Journalist Gabriela Arantes, who covers the club daily, initially reported that the company is showing interest in the deal. The betting company would be willing to invest R$ 70 million per season to have its brand on the Peixe’s uniform.
Finally, Mirassol remains the only club that keeps its main sponsor a secret. In the current season, the team displayed the Poty and 7K brands on its uniform. Although the betting company’s logo appears in a lower position, it is considered the main sponsor because it represents the largest financial contribution to the club.
