CBF Launches Collaborative Rulemaking for Series A and B

The Brazilian Football Confederation is handing clubs a seat at the table as it crafts the new rulebook for the country’s top two divisions, targeting the 2027 season. Starting in August 2026, ten clubs from Series A and B will meet five times, each focusing on a distinct theme such as refereeing, competition layout, licensing, match operations, and governance. This multi‑month dialogue follows an earlier summit in Rio de Janeiro, where CBF and club leaders first outlined priorities like calendar alignment, broadcast deals, and financial health. By involving the very teams that compete, the CBF aims to make the regulations more predictable, transparent, and technically sound, setting a fresh benchmark for Brazilian football. The initiative also draws on international models observed during technical trips to England, Germany, Spain and the United States, as well as during the 2026 World Cup.

Monthly Deliberation Calendar

The first gathering is slated for August 10 and will zero in on refereeing standards. September 14 brings a session on overall competition organization, while October 13 will tackle licensing and infrastructure requirements. November 9 is earmarked for match‑day operations, and the final meeting on December 7 will dive into governance, oversight, and integrity matters. Each meeting is designed to generate concrete proposals that will feed directly into the Competition‑Specific Regulations for 2027. CBF officials will publish progress updates after every stage, keeping stakeholders informed throughout the process. The structured timeline ensures that clubs can deliberate deeply on each block before the next topic begins.

• August 10 – Refereeing standards and protocols
• September 14 – Competition organization and format
• October 13 – Licensing criteria and stadium infrastructure
• November 9 – Match operations and scheduling
• December 7 – Governance, oversight, and integrity frameworks

International Benchmarks Inform the Draft

CBF executives spent weeks studying governance models in Europe and at the 2026 World Cup, noting practices from England’s Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and the U.S. MLS. Brazil’s top division ranks among the most valuable leagues worldwide, and the new rules aim to align domestic standards with global best practices. The focus is on creating clear, predictable guidelines that protect competitive integrity while supporting club sustainability. This overseas research is woven into the regulatory text to ensure the final product is both modern and competitive on the world stage.

Leadership Voices on Collaborative Governance

Samir Xaud, CBF president underscored the shift toward inclusive decision‑making: “Brazilian football needs to be built through dialogue and participation. Our administration understands that it makes no sense for important decisions to be made without listening to those who compete in the tournaments. Our way of working is for the CBF to invite the clubs to help build modern regulations aligned with the needs of our football. Regulations built collectively strengthen the competitions.”

Helder Melillo, CBF executive director echoed the sentiment, calling it a decisive moment: “This is a decisive step for Brazilian football. Together with the clubs, we are building regulations worthy of our competition — with clear, predictable rules aligned with international best practices. Decisions about the championship belong to the clubs, and it is through dialogue, responsibility, and technical quality that we will protect and enhance our product.”

Looking Ahead to the 2027 Season

Once the five meetings conclude, the drafted regulations will be finalized and are expected to take effect for the 2027 campaign. The new framework promises greater calendar stability, more transparent licensing processes, and stronger safeguards against match‑fixing attempts. Clubs anticipate that clearer rules will improve planning for players, sponsors and broadcasters alike, potentially boosting viewership and revenue. The collaborative approach also signals a cultural shift, moving away from top‑down mandates toward joint stewardship of Brazil’s most prized competitions. Fans and industry insiders will watch closely as the CBF turns its vision of participatory governance into concrete policy.