Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill, which establishes the Federal University of Sport (UFEsporte), a flagship initiative launched by President Lula da Silva in late 2025 through the Ministry of Sport.
The proposal now advances to the Federal Senate for further consideration.
Headquartered in Brasília, the new public institution will be the first university in the Americas dedicated exclusively to sport.
According to the Government, UFEsporte is designed to strengthen academic training, scientific research, innovation and public policy development in the sector, consolidating sport as a structured state policy rather than a sporadic program.
The university will operate as a public, tuition-free and inclusive institution, developed in partnership between the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Education.
Its statute will define governance structures, academic organization and admission mechanisms, while observing constitutional principles linking teaching, research and extension.
Courses are expected to include undergraduate, technological and postgraduate programs in areas such as Sports Management, Physical Education, Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Sports Psychology, Sports Law, Data Analytics in Sport and Paralympic Sport and Inclusion.
The proposal also provides research centers focused on biomechanics, performance analysis, sports technology and health.
Funding will include federal assets allocated for its installation, agreements with national and international organizations and a portion of revenue from fixed-odds betting allocated by the Ministry of Sport.
This reflects the debate over how betting-related resources should be distributed within Brazil’s sports ecosystem, including recent discussions in Congress on image rights payments to athletes.
“The Federal University of Sport will place Brazil on a new level,” stated Sports Minister André Fufuca.
“This is a structural and permanent investment that strengthens the training of athletes, teachers, researchers, and managers, expands the sporting base, and consolidates sport as a state policy.”
In 2026, 12 Série A clubs feature betting companies as their main shirt sponsors, down from 18 in 2025, a 33% reduction in active deals in Brazil
