Brazil launches first federal university dedicated to sport

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Law 15.457/2026, establishing the Federal University of Sport (UFEsporte). The new public university will be linked to the Ministry of Education and headquartered in Brasília, with the possibility of expanding to other states.

UFEsporte will focus on teaching, research, extension and innovation in sport science. Its mandate includes training professionals for sports management and public‑policy agencies, preparing athletes, promoting Paralympic sport, and advancing gender and racial equity, inclusion of athletes in transition, and the development of women’s sport. Funding will come from the federal budget, contracts, partnerships and revenues from fixed‑odds betting allocated to the Ministry of Sport.

The law, approved by Congress under urgency procedure (PL 6.133/2025) with Senator Leila Barros reporting, provides for temporary appointment of a rector and vice‑rector, who must submit the university’s statutes and regulations to the ministry within 180 days. The creation marks Brazil’s first higher‑education institution devoted exclusively to the scientific and professional aspects of sport.