Introduction to the article, focusing on providing information about the start date of the Brazilian League and the anticipation surrounding the beginning of the season.
The Brazilian football league – best known as the Campeonato Brasileiro – starts its new season on April 13. After a battle for last year’s title took things to the wire, attention will be laser-focused on the restart.
League Kick-off Date
The league kicks off again on April 13, with a full slate of fixtures:
- Vasco da Gama vs. Grêmio
- Internacional vs. Bahia, Vitória vs. Palmeiras
- Atlético-PR vs. Cuiabá
- Atlético Goianiense vs. Flamengo
- Corinthians vs. Atlético Mineiro
- Criciúma vs. Juventude
- Fluminense vs. Bragantino
- Cruzeiro vs. Botafogo
- São Paulo vs. Fortaleza
The focus will be on Palmeiras as they attempt to score a hat-trick of titles with manager Abel Ferreira.
Team Preparations and Expectations
Palmeiras have made three big signings this summer, bringing in defensive midfielder Anibal Moreno from Racing Club, left winger Bruno Rodrigues from Tombense, and left-back Paulista from Fluminense. After two consecutive league titles, they will be gunning for a third.
Runners-up Gremio added Cristian Pavon from Atletico-MG to play on the left, centre-back defender Rodrigo Ely from Almeria, and centre forward Diego Costa from Botafogo. They will hope to go one better this season.
Third-placed Atletico Mineiro also made some significant signings: Gustavo Scarpo returned from the Premier League as he departed Nottingham Forest, Ecuador’s Brahian Palacios joined from Atlético Nacional, and on the other flank, left winger Paulinho arrived on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. If they can improve significantly then they can be serious contenders for the title.
Key Storylines and Players to Watch
The focus will not just be on Palmeiras’ pursuit of their third back-to-back triumph, but on their teenage striker Endrick. Fourteen goals last season was a hint of his talent, but the 17-year-old could be given the chance to lead his team all the way into July and become a hero, or he could be shunted aside as they plan for life without the Real Madrid-bound forward.
Yannick Bolasie will also draw attention, as the veteran winger tries his luck in Brazil with Criciúma, after leaving Europe for the first time after a peripatetic career.
In what could be his final season, former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa may want to show that he can still cut it at 35 at Botafogo. He is just five goals from his 200-goal milestone.
Fan Anticipation and Support
There’s a huge season coming up, and many of the standout performers will be looking to win a trophy. That means for Palmeiras, they will have their eyes set on No. 3, while Gremio, Atletico Mineiro, Flamengo and Botafogo will be hoping to overhaul the dominant side in order to taste success themselves.
There are also three big teams who failed to impress much at all last season: São Paulo, Corinthians and Santos. If they struggle once more, expect their respective fan bases to let their displeasure be known.
Broadcast and Coverage Information
There are a number of options to watch games in Brazil, while there are a host of broadcasters for viewers around the world. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the Brazilian league in 2024.
- Brazil – TV Globo, SporTV, TNT, Premiere and Caze TV
- International – Fanatiz
- Latin America – Star+ and ESPN
- Caribbean – Flow Sports
- Andorra – La Liga Plus
- Argentina – Fox Sports
- Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland – Sportdigital
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia – Arena Sport
- China – PP Sports,
- Cyprus – Cablenet Sport
- France – DAZN
- Hong Kong and Macau – M Plus
- Israel – Sport 1
- Italy and San Marino – Sportitalia
- Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – Q Sport
- Middle East and North Africa – SSC Channels and Shahid
- Poland – Polsat Sport
- Portugal – Canal 11
- Russia — Match TV
- Spain – La Liga Plus
- Sub-Saharan African – Startimes Sports
- Turkey – D-Smart
- Ukraine – Sport1
- United States – Paramount+ and VIX+
- Japan – Abema
