Only the Copa do Brasil final saves Corinthians' budget hole in 2025

Facing a severe financial crisis, with a debt of R$2.5 billion, Corinthians sees the Copa do Brasil not only as a chance to win another national title, something it hasn't done since 2017, but also as a way to shore up the club's finances. This Wednesday, the team takes to the field at Neo Química Arena to face Athletico Paranaense in the second leg of the tournament's quarterfinals. With a 1-0 victory in Curitiba, a draw will secure the São Paulo team a spot in the next round.

Corinthians' financial plan for 2025 included reaching at least the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. With that goal accomplished, the club now dreams of a spot in the final to avoid the "deep hole" caused by elimination from the Copa Libertadores.

Corinthians dreams of a place in the Copa do Brasil final to avoid a hole in their accounts.

Photo: Alex Silva/Estadão / Estadão

Adding up their Copa do Brasil and Libertadores hopes, Corinthians expected to close the year with at least R$38.2 million in prize money. So far, the club has accumulated R$22.5 million, and if they reach the semifinals, they'll reach R$32.4 million.

Having advanced to the quarterfinals, Corinthians has already accumulated R$10.6 million in prize money from the Copa do Brasil. If they eliminate Athletico and secure a spot in the semifinals, they will pocket an additional R$9.9 million, reaching R$20.6 million.

If the club reaches the Copa do Brasil final, beating Cruzeiro or Atlético-MG in the semifinals, it can secure at least an additional R$33 million, the amount paid to the runner-up, resulting in a cumulative R$65.4 million. If it wins a potential final, it will earn an additional R$77.1 million, bringing its total to R$109.1 million.

Reaching the finals of the Copa do Brasil is crucial for Corinthians to not only reach, but practically double the financial target set for the knockout competitions, even with the early exit in the Libertadores.

Corinthians' plans were to reach at least the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, thus securing US$5.3 million (R$27.6 million) in prize money. After being eliminated in the third round, they only took home US$1.1 million (R$6.3 million).

One way to make up for the Copa Libertadores elimination would be to reach the Copa Sudamericana final, which would have earned Corinthians at least US$5 million (approximately R$25.5 million). However, the team fell in the group stage and pocketed only R$1.1 million, ending its continental campaign in 2025 with R$11.9 million in prize money.

See the amount paid in each phase of the Copa do Brasil