Dominance and full coffers: why the Carioca matters for Flamengo in 2026 | OneFootball

When Does Flamengo Debut in the 2026 Carioca?

Flamengo will make its debut in the Campeonato Carioca this Sunday (11), against Portuguesa. Therefore, Coluna do Fla details the importance of the competition for the Rubro-Negro amid major national and international tournaments.

Hegemony in Rio de Janeiro

First of all, the importance of the 2026 Campeonato Carioca for Flamengo is linked to the hierarchy in the competition, especially regarding recent history. That’s because the Most Beloved has won five of the last seven state championships.

This streak began in 2019, when Abel Braga was still the coach. Since then, Flamengo has won the Campeonato Carioca in 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Meanwhile, Fluminense took the trophy in 2022 and 2023.

Million-Dollar Prize for the 2026 Carioca Title

Furthermore, it’s worth highlighting that the Campeonato Carioca will once again award a prize to the champion. In previous seasons, Flamengo won the title but didn’t even get a ‘whiff’ of the money.

However, in the 2026 season, FERJ has guaranteed that the champion of the Carioca will receive R$ 10 million, not counting the amount the club will earn by advancing through the stages. Finally, the Most Beloved will also receive a fixed fee of R$ 10 million for broadcast rights.

Total Amount Flamengo Can Receive and Debut Date in the Carioca

Flamengo, therefore, has the chance to increase its hegemony in Rio de Janeiro and earn over R$ 20 million with the title of the 2026 Campeonato Carioca. The debut in the competition, it’s worth remembering, is scheduled for Sunday (11), against Portuguesa, at 6 p.m. (Brasília time), at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, in Volta Redonda.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.