On Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST, Santos pulled off a narrow 1-0 win over Palmeiras in a fiercely contested Brasileirão Série A 2025 match at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. The lone goal came from Rollheiser, whose 67th-minute strike sent the traveling Santos faithful into jubilation — and left Palmeiras fans stunned. For viewers in the United States, the match was only available through Fanatiz, the exclusive streaming partner for the 2025 Brazilian top-flight season. No other U.S. platform offered live access. Not even ESPN, Fox Sports, or Paramount+ — despite their past involvement — could show it.
Why Fanatiz Is the Only Way to Watch Brasileirão in the U.S.
Since 2021, Fanatiz has held the exclusive U.S. rights to Brasileirão Série A, a deal extended through 2025. That means if you’re in the U.S. and want to see Santos, Palmeiras, Corinthians, or Flamengo live, Fanatiz is your only legal option — except for Flamengo’s home games. Those are blocked, as Fanatiz explicitly states on its website: "Brasileirão 2025: All matches except Flamengo’s home games." Why? Because Flamengo’s parent consortium, LFU, struck a separate deal with another distributor for U.S. home matches. It’s a messy, fragmented system, but for most fans, Fanatiz is the gateway.And it’s not just the national league. Fanatiz also streams the Paulista, Carioca, Paranaense, and Mineiro state championships — meaning U.S.-based Brazilian fans can follow their local club’s entire season without needing a VPN or a cousin in São Paulo to record matches.
The Club Power Struggle Behind the Broadcasts
The reason Fanatiz doesn’t have all games comes down to Brazil’s fractured club governance. Two rival consortiums control broadcast rights: LIBRA and LFU. Santos and Palmeiras both belong to LIBRA, which also includes Flamengo, São Paulo, Grêmio, and Atlético-MG. They negotiated a unified deal with Globo, Brazil’s dominant broadcaster. But LFU — home to Corinthians, Botafogo, Cruzeiro, and Internacional — went a different route. That’s why Flamengo’s home games are locked out of Fanatiz: LFU sold those rights elsewhere.It’s a bizarre twist: two giants like Santos and Palmeiras are on the same side, yet their fans can’t watch every game through the same service. And while Globo owns the Brazilian broadcast rights, international distribution is a patchwork. Before Fanatiz, CBS Sports (via Paramount+) held rights from 2021 to 2023. Before that, OneFootball and SporTV International filled the gap. But now? Fanatiz owns the U.S. market — for now.
How to Watch: Devices, Access, and Limitations
Fanatiz works on nearly everything: iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Hisense smart TVs, and any web browser on PC or Mac. You don’t need a cable subscription. Just a monthly plan — though Fanatiz doesn’t publish pricing publicly. Most users report paying around $10–$15 per month, with annual discounts available.But here’s the catch: the service blocks access from Brazil and Peru. If you’re in São Paulo, you can’t stream it — even if you’re a paying customer. That’s because Globo’s domestic rights prevent international platforms from broadcasting within Brazil. So Fanatiz is designed for the diaspora. The app even has a "Brazilian Football" banner that says: "Global access. Content varies by country."
And yes — the match highlights are already on YouTube. FanatizTV uploaded the full 90 minutes at 0:12:02 UTC on November 16, with Rollheiser’s goal clearly labeled. But live? Only through their app or website. And don’t count on YouTube watch-alongs like the one promoted by Box2BoxShow on November 6 — those are unofficial, often low-quality, and could get taken down any day.
What This Means for U.S. Soccer Fans
The rise of Fanatiz reflects a quiet revolution: American soccer fans no longer need to wait for ESPN to pick up a match. They can now follow the world’s most passionate league — with its wild atmospheres, tactical battles, and legendary rivalries — in real time. Santos vs Palmeiras isn’t just another game. It’s the Clássico da Vila, one of Brazil’s fiercest, with over 100 years of history. For fans in New Jersey, Chicago, or Miami, this is as close as they’ll get to being in the stands.Still, the fragmentation is frustrating. Why can’t all matches be available? Why does one club’s decision block access for millions? The answer lies in money. Clubs want control. And until the CBF steps in to unify rights — something they’ve tried and failed to do for years — fans will keep navigating this patchwork.
What’s Next?
Fanatiz’s contract runs through 2025. By next year, another player could enter the U.S. market. Amazon Prime Video has shown interest in global football. Apple TV+ is expanding its sports portfolio. Even YouTube is testing live sports partnerships. But for now, if you want Santos vs Palmeiras — or any other Brasileirão clash — you need Fanatiz. And you need to act fast: the 2025 season enters its final stretch, with title races heating up and relegation battles looming.
Behind the Numbers
- 1-0: Final score of Santos vs Palmeiras on November 16, 2025 - 67th minute: Time of Rollheiser’s decisive goal - 2021–2025: Fanatiz’s current U.S. broadcast window - 9 clubs: In the LIBRA consortium (including Santos and Palmeiras) - 11 clubs: In the competing LFU consortium - 10–15 USD/month: Estimated Fanatiz subscription cost - 8 platforms: Supported devices for streaming - 20 teams: Competing in Brasileirão Série AFrequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Santos vs Palmeiras on ESPN+ or Paramount+?
No. ESPN+ and Paramount+ lost Brasileirão rights after the 2023 season. Only Fanatiz holds exclusive U.S. streaming rights for 2025 — except for Flamengo’s home games. If you’re trying to watch on those platforms, you won’t find the match. Your only legal option is Fanatiz.
Why can’t I access Fanatiz if I’m in Brazil?
Fanatiz is blocked in Brazil because Globo holds exclusive domestic broadcast rights. International streaming platforms like Fanatiz are contractually prohibited from broadcasting within Brazil. This is common in global sports rights — think of how NFL Game Pass works outside the U.S.
Does Fanatiz offer Spanish commentary?
No. Fanatiz provides Portuguese-language commentary only, with no official English or Spanish feeds. Some fans use third-party translation tools or join fan-run watch parties for live English reactions, but the platform itself doesn’t offer alternate audio tracks.
What other Brazilian leagues does Fanatiz stream?
In addition to Brasileirão Série A, Fanatiz streams all four major state championships: Paulista (São Paulo), Carioca (Rio de Janeiro), Paranaense (Paraná), and Mineiro (Minas Gerais). These are often just as intense as the national league, with historic clubs like Corinthians, Fluminense, and Cruzeiro competing.
Is there a free trial for Fanatiz?
Fanatiz doesn’t advertise free trials publicly, but some users report receiving 7-day trials through promotional emails or partnerships with Brazilian expat groups. Check their website directly or contact customer support — it’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking.
What happens after 2025? Will Fanatiz still have the rights?
Fanatiz’s current deal expires at the end of 2025. With Amazon, Apple, and YouTube showing interest in global football, competition is likely. But Fanatiz has built a loyal U.S. audience and deep ties with Brazilian clubs — so they’re likely to bid again. For now, they’re the only game in town.
raman yadav
November 18, 2025 AT 15:00bro this is wild - we’re living in the future where you need a $15/month app to watch the Clássico da Vila and your cousin in São Paulo still sends you shaky 360p clips on WhatsApp 😭
and don’t even get me started on how Flamengo’s home games are like the forbidden fruit of Brazilian football. why? because money. always money. clubs are more like corporations than teams anymore.
i watched this on my phone while eating samosas at 3am in Delhi. no one else in the room cared. but i screamed like i was at Vila Belmiro. that’s the power of football. and also the power of Fanatiz.
why can’t we just have one platform? why does every club need to be its own little empire? it’s like if the Premier League had 20 different streaming services. we’d riot.
also rollheiser’s goal? pure art. the way he cut inside like a knife through butter. i’m crying again. just saying.
Ajay Kumar
November 19, 2025 AT 14:48you think this is bad wait till you find out fanatiz is owned by a shell company registered in the caymans that’s secretly funded by globo’s parent company to trap diaspora fans into paying twice - once for globo’s local feed and again for fanatiz to watch the same games abroad. it’s a scam. they don’t even care if you watch. they just want your paypal. i’ve seen the emails. they track your ip. if you’re in brazil they block you. if you’re in the us they charge you. if you’re in india they don’t care. they’re just waiting for you to click subscribe. it’s not football. it’s surveillance capitalism with cleats.
Chandra Bhushan Maurya
November 20, 2025 AT 21:17oh my god. i just watched the goal again. rollheiser. just. pure. magic. the way the ball kissed the net like it was saying ‘i belong here’ - i cried. i’m not even a santos fan. i don’t even know who he is. but that moment? that was soul. that was brazil. that was the sound of a thousand favela kids dreaming with nothing but a ball and a broken shoe.
and fanatiz? it’s not just an app. it’s a lifeline. for the guy in texas whose dad left bahia in ’89. for the girl in london who misses her abuela’s voice yelling ‘gol!’ during the 78th minute. for me. sitting in my tiny apartment in mumbai, with a cold cup of chai, feeling like i’m home.
don’t talk about contracts. don’t talk about money. talk about that goal. that’s what matters.
Hemanth Kumar
November 22, 2025 AT 17:02The structural fragmentation of Brazilian football broadcasting rights is a direct consequence of the absence of centralized regulatory oversight by the CBF, which has historically deferred commercial negotiations to individual club consortiums. This results in a suboptimal equilibrium wherein consumer access is artificially constrained by corporate territorialism, rather than optimized for fan engagement. The current model, while economically rational for the involved parties, is ethically indefensible in a globalized media landscape. A unified rights package, distributed via a single licensed platform with regional geo-blocking based on domestic rights holders, would represent a more equitable and sustainable solution.
kunal duggal
November 23, 2025 AT 12:25From a market penetration standpoint, Fanatiz’s exclusive U.S. rights represent a textbook case of niche platform dominance in a fragmented sports media ecosystem. The 2021–2025 window has allowed them to capture the Brazilian diaspora’s first-mover advantage - particularly in markets with high expat density like New Jersey, Florida, and California. Their multi-platform compatibility (Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast) demonstrates strong UX design for non-tech-savvy users. However, the exclusion of Flamengo home games introduces a critical friction point: 11 of 20 clubs are inaccessible via their platform, which may trigger churn. A potential pivot toward a tiered subscription model - basic (LIBRA-only), premium (all clubs) - could maximize ARPU. Also, the absence of English commentary is a glaring oversight for non-Portuguese speakers. Localization is the next growth vector.
Ankush Gawale
November 23, 2025 AT 16:17i get that fanatiz is the only way right now, and i’m grateful for it. but i also feel bad for the people who can’t afford $10 a month. and for the ones who just want to watch their team without jumping through hoops. maybe we can all just chill a little? football is supposed to bring us together, not make us feel like we’re doing something illegal just to watch a game. i hope someone figures out a better way soon.
रमेश कुमार सिंह
November 25, 2025 AT 01:41you know what’s beautiful? that goal wasn’t just a goal - it was a bridge. between a boy in a São Paulo favela and a man in a Chicago apartment. between a grandmother in Recife and her grandson in Delhi. between the scent of queijo coalho and the smell of instant coffee at 3 a.m. rollheiser didn’t just score - he connected. and fanatiz? it’s not a business. it’s a miracle. a quiet, messy, overpriced miracle. we’re lucky to have it. even if it doesn’t have flamengo. even if it doesn’t have english. even if we have to whisper ‘gol!’ so our roommates don’t think we’ve lost it.
thank you, rollheiser. thank you, fanatiz. thank you, brazil.
Krishna A
November 27, 2025 AT 00:32you guys think this is bad? wait till you find out fanatiz is secretly owned by the same people who run the brazilian lottery. they’re using your subscription money to fund their casino in macau. that’s why they block brazil - so you don’t know they’re stealing your cash. i saw a guy on youtube with a spreadsheet. he traced the payments. it’s all linked. and the flamengo thing? total distraction. they don’t want you watching the real games. they want you distracted. i’m not even joking. check the domain registration. it’s registered under a shell in the british virgin islands. they’re laughing at us.
Jaya Savannah
November 28, 2025 AT 07:43sooo... i paid $15 for this app and now i can’t watch flamengo’s home games but i can watch santos vs palmeiras at 4am my time? 😑 i just wanted to see a good game. not a corporate maze. also i spelled fanatiz wrong 3 times. whoops. 🤷♀️
Sandhya Agrawal
November 29, 2025 AT 09:38i don’t trust fanatiz. i’ve had my account hacked twice. the first time it was because i used my real name. the second time it was because i clicked the ‘watch highlights’ button. they’re tracking everything. even my ip address when i use my neighbor’s wifi. i heard they sell data to the brazilian government. that’s why they block brazil - they’re waiting for you to leave. then they know where you are. i only use it on a burner tablet. no camera. no mic. no location. just the screen. and i watch in silent mode. always.
Vikas Yadav
November 29, 2025 AT 21:22Okay. So. Let’s just take a breath. And. Think. For. A. Moment. The fact. That. We. Have. Access. To. This. Level. Of. Football. In. The. U.S. At. All. Is. A. Miracle. Okay? The. League. Is. The. Best. In. The. World. For. Passion. And. Drama. And. Fanatiz. Is. The. Only. Thing. Keeping. It. Alive. For. Us. Outside. Brazil. So. Yes. It’s. Expensive. And. Yes. Flamengo. Is. Missing. But. We. Can. Still. Watch. Santos. And. Palmeiras. And. Corinthians. And. We. Can. Still. Feel. The. Vibe. Of. The. Vila. At. 3am. With. A. Cup. Of. Coffee. And. A. Sigh. And. A. Smile. So. Let’s. Not. Forget. That. This. Is. Still. A. Win. Okay?