New Serie A Structure for 2026: Libra vs LFU, TV Rights Split, and More

The 2025 season’s conclusion has brought a new dawn to Brazilian football, with the Serie A structure for 2026 undergoing a significant reorganization. The 20 clubs have been divided equally between Libra and LFU, each block now housing 10 teams.

Clubs and Their New Blocks

LFU (Liga Forte União) has welcomed Fluminense, Botafogo, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Internacional, Mirassol, Vasco, Athletico-PR, Coritiba, and Chapecoense. Meanwhile, Libra (Brazilian Football League) features Flamengo, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Grêmio, Atlético-MG, Bahia, Red Bull Bragantino, Santos, Remo, and Vitória.

Promotions and Relegations

The four clubs that secured a place in the elite – Coritiba, Chapecoense, Athletico-PR, and Remo – have reshaped the Serie A landscape. Of the promoted clubs, three hail from LFU, with Remo being the sole Libra representative making its return after 31 years. On the flip side, the relegated teams – Sport, Fortaleza, Juventude, and Ceará – are all from the LFU group.

TV Rights: A New Reality

The new structure has brought changes in television and broadcasting rights. Each block negotiates these rights separately, creating distinct exhibition calendars and media revenues:

• LFU has agreements with diverse broadcasters/streaming companies like Record, Amazon Prime Video, CazéTV, and some parts of Grupo Globo.
• Libra maintains an exclusive contract with Grupo Globo, covering open, closed, and pay-per-view TV for its members.

These changes imply different exhibition calendars and media revenues for LFU and Libra clubs. While each block enjoys greater autonomy in negotiating rights, the reorganized structure also presents unique challenges and opportunities in terms of visibility, coverage, and commercial value.

Fluminense, for instance, will experience a different exhibition calendar and media revenue than its Libra counterparts.

Autonomy and Potential

The Serie A reorganization reinforces clubs’ autonomy in negotiating rights, leading to greater management freedom and revenue potential. Despite the challenges, this shift signals the start of a new era in Brazilian football, with clubs now having the power to shape their own futures.