Datafolha survey shows Flamengo’s national lead and widening gap over Rio rivals | OneFootball

Datafolha’s 22-23 July 2026 poll, margin of error two per cent, maps Brazil’s fanbases and puts Flamengo top on 22 per cent, about 47.3 million in a country of roughly 215 million.

Corinthians follow on 14 per cent, then Palmeiras on 7, São Paulo on 6 and Cruzeiro on 4. Vasco and Grêmio sit on 3. The rest register 2 or less, with Fluminense on 2 and Botafogo 1.

Nationally, Flamengo’s support is 7.33 times Vasco’s, and 11 and 22 times Fluminense’s and Botafogo’s. The findings reflect the moment, with no projection, yet the gap is striking and was smaller in the recent past.

When Rio de Janeiro was Brazil’s capital and Rádio Nacional broadcast nationwide, local clubs built followings beyond state borders. Television and the internet later spread influence more evenly across the country.

From 1906 to 2026 there were 130 Campeonato Carioca editions, due to dual champions in eight seasons and two tournaments in 1979, both won by Flamengo. Flamengo have 40 state titles, Fluminense 33, Vasco 24 and Botafogo 21.

Adding Brazilian leagues, domestic cups, Libertadores and world titles, the disparity widens. The same applies to state fan counts, average gates, head-to-head records, sponsorship, ticket income and budgets. Bigger bases and revenues often prevail, a trend mirrored abroad.

Across 34 Premier League seasons, Manchester United 13 and City 8, plus Chelsea 5 and Arsenal 4, account for 30 titles. The other 4 went to Liverpool 2, Blackburn and Leicester.

Even so, it remains 11 v 11. Training, rest, effort, strategy and a slice of fortune still decide matches.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”