Flamengo leads Brazil’s fanbases in 2025, São Paulo overtakes Palmeiras

Brazil’s passion for soccer remains vibrant, and a recent AtlasIntel survey, released on June 27, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, reveals the country’s largest fanbases. Flamengo maintains its dominance with 20.6% of national preference, followed by Corinthians at 13.9%. São Paulo, with a significant jump to 10.1%, has surpassed Palmeiras, which recorded 7.8%. Conducted between June 20 and 25 with 2,069 respondents, the survey highlights shifts in fanbase rankings, such as Botafogo’s rise and Santos’ decline. Carried out via digital recruitment across 619 municipalities, the study reflects soccer’s cultural strength and the regional dynamics shaping fan preferences.

The AtlasIntel survey, renowned for its accuracy, captured Brazilians’ devotion to the nation’s most popular sport. Flamengo, with an estimated fanbase of over 42 million, solidifies its lead, particularly in the North and Northeast regions. Meanwhile, São Paulo, driven by stable management and strong performances, has gained ground in the Southeast, where it competes with Corinthians and Palmeiras.

• Key changes in the ranking:
  • São Paulo overtakes Palmeiras by 2.3 percentage points.
  • Botafogo rises to 3.6% after 2024 titles.
  • Santos drops to 3.1%, losing two positions.

Brazilian soccer, beyond a sport, is a social phenomenon uniting generations and regions. The data shows how recent achievements, marketing strategies, and digital engagement influence club popularity.

Flamengo’s national dominance

Flamengo remains unchallenged as Brazil’s most popular club, with a fanbase spanning regional boundaries. In the North and Northeast, the Rio-based club achieves 29% and 25% preference, respectively, reflecting its cultural strength. The emotional connection with fans is fueled by stars like Gabigol and management that balances on-field success with off-field initiatives. In 2025, Flamengo faces Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup, an event set to further boost its global visibility.

Beyond sporting performance, the club heavily invests in digital strategies. With over 60 million social media followers, Flamengo gained 463,000 new subscribers on digital platforms in January 2025 alone. This online presence strengthens its brand and attracts sponsors, solidifying its lead in engagement.

Flamengo’s fanbase also stands out for its strong opinions. AtlasIntel data indicates that 64.3% of Flamengo fans reject adopting the Soccer Corporation (SAF) model, favoring the associative structure that has delivered recent titles. This resistance reflects the club’s identity, valuing its history and closeness with supporters.

São Paulo on the rise

São Paulo is the standout of the 2025 survey, with a 2.5-percentage-point increase from 2024, reaching 10.1% of national preference. This growth stems from consistent management, strategic signings, and strong showings in competitions like the Brazilian Championship and Copa Libertadores. The Tricolor fanbase, known for its loyalty, responded enthusiastically, especially in the Southeast, where the club competes with historic rivals.

The modernization of the Morumbi stadium, a club symbol, and a gain of 272,000 social media followers in January 2025 bolster the brand’s strength. São Paulo has also attracted younger fans, who identify with the club’s new phase.

• Factors boosting São Paulo:
  • Stable management and strategic planning.
  • Impactful market signings.
  • Morumbi stadium and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Growing digital engagement.

São Paulo’s rise in the rankings also brings commercial benefits. The increase in popularity raises the value of advertising contracts and attracts new sponsors, according to sports marketing experts. The club, once a management benchmark in the 2000s, appears to be reclaiming its national prominence.

Corinthians holds strong, faces challenges

With 13.9% preference, Corinthians remains Brazil’s second-largest fanbase but saw a slight drop from 14.5% in 2024. The fanbase, nicknamed Fiel, is among the most engaged, gaining nearly 1 million new social media followers in 2025. Winning the Paulista Championship early in the year boosted the club’s popularity, but inconsistent Brasileirão results have sparked criticism.

Resistance to structural changes is another concern. About 34.1% of Corinthians fans oppose adopting the SAF model, despite the club’s financial struggles. Still, fan loyalty remains unshaken, with 80% declaring exclusive support for Corinthians, per AtlasIntel.

In the Southeast, the club leads with 14% preference, surpassing Flamengo’s 13% in the region. This regional strength, combined with passionate support, keeps Corinthians a cornerstone of Brazilian soccer.

Palmeiras loses ground, remains solid

Palmeiras, with 7.8% preference, fell to fourth after being overtaken by São Paulo. Despite winning the 2024 Brasileirão, the club faces criticism for its conservative stance on SAF, with 48.7% of fans opposing the change. Nevertheless, Palmeiras maintains a loyal fanbase and leads in positive image among Brazilian clubs, according to a 2023 AtlasIntel survey.

The Palmeiras fanbase, primarily in the Southeast, remains engaged, but the 2.3-percentage-point gap to São Paulo raises concerns. The club must balance its tradition with strategies to expand its fanbase, especially among younger generations.

Botafogo: champions’ leap

Botafogo is enjoying a surge, rising from 2.9% to 3.6% in the fanbase ranking after winning the Libertadores and Brasileirão in 2024. The Rio-based club, set to face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup round of 16 in 2025, reaps the rewards of efficient SAF management, praised by 33% of respondents.

Qualifying for the Club World Cup increased Botafogo’s visibility, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, where it competes with Flamengo and Vasco. Though smaller in absolute numbers, the Alvinegro fanbase is growing steadily, driven by on-field success and modern management.

• Reasons for Botafogo’s growth:
  • Libertadores and Brasileirão titles.
  • Successful SAF management.
  • Club World Cup visibility.
  • Attracting new fans in Rio.

Cruzeiro and Vasco: stability in the top 5

Cruzeiro and Vasco, both with 6% preference, share fifth place. Cruzeiro, Minas Gerais’ largest fanbase, grew by 0.6 percentage points, benefiting from better management and a return to Brazil’s soccer elite. The Celeste fanbase remains strong in the Southeast and Midwest, where the club has deep roots.

Vasco, however, faces challenges after unstable seasons. Still, its fanbase remains loyal, with a strong presence in Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast. The club’s history, marked by titles and a passionate base, ensures its national relevance.

Regional trends and other clubs

In the South, Grêmio leads with 4.6% preference, followed by Internacional, which rose to 3.3%. In the Northeast, Sport solidifies its position as the region’s largest fanbase at 2.4%, ahead of Bahia and Fortaleza, at 2.4% and 1%, respectively. Vitória, with 1.7%, reenters the ranking after returning to Série A, showing the impact of on-field results on popularity.

Clubs like Santos, at 3.1%, and Fluminense, at 2.6%, saw declines, reflecting unstable periods. Other teams, such as RB Bragantino and Mirassol, didn’t score, indicating limited national reach. About 6.2% of respondents support clubs outside the ranking, highlighting Brazilian soccer’s diversity.

Methodology behind the numbers

The AtlasIntel survey used Random Digital Recruitment (RDR), collecting anonymous responses across 619 municipalities. Covering fans of various ages, genders, and regions, the study has a 2% margin of error. The methodology ensures representativeness and minimizes biases, providing an accurate snapshot of Brazilian preferences.

AtlasIntel, recognized for its precision, was named the most accurate U.S. pollster in 2024 by Nate Silver. Its “Diamond” seal from The New York Times reinforces its credibility, making the 2025 data a reliable benchmark for Brazil’s sports landscape.

Social media’s role in engagement

Social media has been a key driver of club popularity. Flamengo, Corinthians, and Palmeiras dominate digital engagement, accounting for half of new followers in 2024, per IBOPE Repucom data. São Paulo, with its recent growth, also benefits from this trend, attracting younger fans and expanding its online presence.

Brazilian soccer, fueled by these numbers, remains a cultural force uniting millions. The AtlasIntel survey not only highlights the largest fanbases but also reveals how achievements, management, and digital strategies shape the future of clubs in the country.