In recent years, the Brazilian sports market has undergone a remarkable transformation, marked by a steady influx of investment, ongoing development, and increasing professionalization. This progress has been fueled by a series of legal innovations designed to modernize the sector and attract both domestic and international investors. In the realm of soccer, the introduction of the Brazil Soccer Company (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol – “SAF”) in 2021 represented a major milestone, as it enabled private investment in clubs—a move that has fundamentally changed the landscape of Brazilian soccer. Meanwhile, sports betting platforms and online games in the fixed-odds lottery category have been subject to a comprehensive regulatory process since 2023, providing greater legal certainty for operators and investors alike.
Private equity and venture capital investments in Brazilian soccer have grown rapidly under the Soccer Corporation Law framework. Since 2021, more than one hundred SAFs have been incorporated throughout the country, now accounting for roughly one-third of all professional soccer clubs competing in Brazil’s national leagues. For comparison purposes, considering only the national first division (“Série A”), the average revenue of SAFs grew by 20% in 2024, while soccer clubs constituted as non-profit entities increased their average revenue by 6% in the same period. At the same time, large international groups are expanding their multi-club ownership (MCO) strategies within Brazil, further consolidating the nation’s status as a strategic market for the training, development, and marketing of athletes, according to the Convocados 25 report, the most prestigious publication on the Brazilian soccer sector, released by Galápagos Capital and Outfield Inc. in May 2025. This movement not only highlights Brazil’s evolution into a favorable environment for soccer investment, but also reflects the country’s unique combination of sporting talent, rising asset values, and a highly engaged and passionate fan base.
Turning to the domestic sports betting market, the outlook is equally dynamic. The Brazilian National Bank projects that the market will generate approximately $ 65 billion US dollars in revenue in 2025, underscoring the sector’s enormous potential. Several major players controlled by foreign investors, including MGM Resorts and publicly listed companies such as Entain Group (LSE) and Flutter Entertainment (NYSE), are already active participants in this regulated environment. Their involvement signals strong international confidence in Brazil’s regulatory framework and highlights the country’s growing significance as a global hub for sports betting and online gaming.
