The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will relaunch its eBrasileirão esports tournament in 2025, featuring eFootball and Rocket League, with a prize pool exceeding R$100,000 (approximately $18,500)—the largest in the event’s history. The competition, now in its ninth edition, underscores the federation’s commitment to bridging football and digital gaming.
Operations and production will be handled by HB Company (HB&CO), a newly formed holding uniting Hero Base, Level8, and Arcode. The group is tasked with not only running the tournament but also managing broadcasts, community activations, and promotional campaigns.
Also read: Hero Base launches HB Company holding
The tournament will include up to four undisclosed established esports organisations in Rocket League, joining teams representing 40 Brazilian Série A and B football clubs. A “Reverse Draft” system, allowing players to pick clubs in descending order of performance, introduces an unconventional twist designed to boost competitive balance. Registrations open on 12 September.
“The eBrasileirão reaffirms the CBF’s commitment to developing sport in its diverse forms,” said CBF president Samir Xaud, framing the event as both a talent incubator and a digital engagement strategy targeting younger audiences.
In terms of audience engagement, the competition will leverage multiple digital strategies to maximise reach. Playoffs and finals will be fully streamed on CBF’s official YouTube channel, complemented by co-streams from esports influencers and partner channels. The tournament also aims a strong presence on social media, providing daily updates, highlights, and interactive content. According to HB Company, this approach aims to “create experiences that value players, clubs and the gaming community.”
While the 2025 edition will not serve as a qualifier for international events, it is in tune with the global esports calendar ahead of the FIFAe Finals in Riyadh. The partnership with HB Company signals a professionalisation of esports operations under the CBF umbrella, and could set a model for how traditional sports federations leverage esports infrastructure to expand reach and visibility, particularly in markets where football and gaming audiences overlap.
