Walking Football Brasil

What Walking Football Brasil does

Walking Football Brasil (WFB) is a São Paulo-based non-profit civil association founded in 2018 that organizes, regulates, and disseminates walking football — a walking-variant of conventional football designed for people aged 60+ — across Brazil. The organization operates as the official national representative of FIWFA (Federation of International Walking Football Associations) in Brazil, with affiliation to the WFA in England. WFB directly maintains 16 training centers (nuclei) primarily in the São Paulo metropolitan region (Itapevi, Guarulhos, Jundiaí, Cajamar, São Paulo) and has extended its reach to 47 cities across all five Brazilian regions through the WFB Academy professional certification program, impacting more than 2,500 participants in 2025.

The organization's core capability is not software or hardware but a proprietary four-step social-sport methodology (Synergy, Connection, Step by Step, Reflection) adapted to the Brazilian 60+ population, grounded in the WHO Active Ageing framework and aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Product lines include the core Walking Football modality, WFB Academy (free certification for physical education professionals), Geração 6.0 (digital inclusion and financial empowerment for seniors), Rede WFB (national nuclei network), and official events including Brazilian national team competitions and international friendlies. Women represent 66% of participants in the Sport for Life category.

WFB is funded through Brazilian public incentive laws (Lei de Incentivo ao Esporte, Fundo da Pessoa Idosa), corporate social investment from at least 14 named partners (Itaú, Ambev, BTG Pactual, B3, Pfizer, Bayer, Arteris, Dexco, Manserv, Mapfre, Mag Seguros, Too Seguros, Simpress HP, Instituto Center Norte, OCQ), and individual donations via PIX. All programs are free for participants. The organization has accumulated significant recognition including Best NGO in Sport in Brazil (2024), the Grassroots Award International Organisation of the Year from WFA England (2025), the FGV Social Responsibility Award (2025), and inclusion in the TheDotGood Brazil 75 SGOs ranking (2025).

Name

Walking Football Brasil

Legal name

Associação Walking Football Brasil

Website

https://wfb.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walking Football Brasil is a São Paulo-based non-profit founded in 2018 that organizes and disseminates walking football for people aged 60+ across Brazil, operating 16 training centers and a 47-city professional certification network funded by Brazilian public incentive laws and corporate social investment from major Brazilian companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Community Sports Programs

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Senior sports programs
• Adapted football training
• Active aging initiatives
• Social-sport projects
• Elderly community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public Investment via Lei de Incentivo ao Esporte: WFB raises funds for sport dissemination projects by offering tax deduction opportunities to corporate donors under Brazil's Federal Sports Incentive Law. Corporate sponsors receive visual identity placement, digital content, events, and audiovisual deliverables as counterparties.
2. Fundo da Pessoa Idosa (Elderly Fund): Projects funded through the Elderly Fund, targeting municipalities and civil society organizations, providing elderly participants with walking football sessions plus complementary workshops on well-being, digital inclusion, and financial empowerment.
3. Private Social Investment / Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners (Arteris, Bayer, Ambev, B3, BTG Pactual, Dexco Deca, Itaú, Pfizer, etc.) provide ongoing sponsorship, often channeled through社会责任/ESG mandates. Counterparties include brand visibility on uniforms, banners, and digital channels, as well as employee volunteering programs.
4. Individual Donations: Direct donation mechanism via PIX and online donation links for individuals who wish to support the organization's mission.
5. Professional Training Certification Fees: WFB Academy provides free certification programs for physical education professionals in exchange for integration into the WFB Network; the program is publicly funded through incentive laws, not charged to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Walking Football Brasil organizes and disseminates walking football (futebol caminhando) — a walking-variant of football adapted for people aged 60+ — through socio-sport projects, training sessions at nuclei/community centers, the WFB Academy professional certification program, the Geração 6.0 digital inclusion and financial empowerment initiative, and competitive events including national team tryouts and international friendlies. The organization operates as the official Brazilian representative of FIWFA and serves seniors across all five Brazilian regions, with programs delivered free of charge and funded through public incentives, corporate social investment, and donations.

Product overview

Walking Football Brasil is a social organization that represents, organizes, and disseminates the Walking Football modality in Brazil. The core offering is the Walking Football sport itself—a walking-variant of conventional football designed for people 60+ to promote inclusive, low-impact physical activity. Supporting products include WFB Academy (professional certification and training program), Geração 6.0 (digital inclusion initiative), Rede WFB (network of community nuclei), and WFB Events (official competitions and festivals). The portfolio spans competitive sport (Esporte de Competição) and participatory sport for life (Esporte para a Vida), with the methodology aligned to the WHO Active Aging agenda.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Walking Football Academy: Training program for physical education professionals to become certified in the walking football methodology, present in 47 Brazilian cities across all five regions.
• Geração 6.0
• Rede WFB
• Walking Football Academy

Products and services

• Walking Football (core sport program) Walking Football is a variant of conventional football played walking instead of running, designed for people aged 60+ to promote inclusive sports participation with lower physical impact. Originated in England and represented in Brazil by Walking Football Brasil, delivered as Sport for Life (participatory) and Competitive Sport formats.
• WFB Academy (Professional Certification Program) WFB Academy is a free training and certification program for physical education professionals in the Walking Football methodology, delivered across Brazil's five regions. Graduates establish new WFB nuclei in their localities and integrate into the Rede WFB network.
• Geração 6.0 (Digital Inclusion and Empowerment) Geração 6.0 is a socio-educational project promoting digital inclusion, financial empowerment, and awareness about active aging for people aged 60+. It is delivered as a complementary program to walking football across WFB nuclei and partner organizations.
• Rede WFB (WFB Network) Rede WFB is the nationwide network of WFB nuclei/community centers that implement Walking Football programs, maintained in partnership with social organizations, NGOs, and elderly community centers across multiple Brazilian cities. It functions as the operational backbone of WFB's direct delivery model.
• WFB Events (Official Competitions and Festivals) WFB Events are the official events of the Walking Football modality in Brazil, including festivals, championships, national team tryouts (Brazilian 60+ male and female selections), and international representation (e.g., 2025 friendly with the English national team).

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,500 people impacted in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FIWFA (Federation of International Walking Football Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB is the official national representative of FIWFA in Brazil. FIWFA is the international governing body for walking football responsible for managing and guiding the global walking football landscape, promoting social and physical well-being. This affiliation gives WFB authority to certify professionals, organize national competitions, and represent Brazil at international events.
• WFA England (Walking Football Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFA England organizes the Grassroots Awards — considered the 'Oscar' of walking football — which WFB won as International Organisation of the Year. WFA England also facilitated the 2025 international friendly between Brazilian and English national teams.
• Machado Meyer AdvogadoscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOne of Brazil's leading law firms provided specialized support for WFB's legal constitution as a civil society organization and serves as an ongoing institutional partner in social responsibility. This partnership gave life to the organization at its founding.
• PfizerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPfizer is a corporate social investment partner and has conducted employee volunteer programs with WFB. Pfizer's portal features WFB content as part of its responsibility social initiatives.
• BTG PactualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBTG Pactual has conducted employee volunteer activities with WFB participants as part of its social investment program.
• Civi-co (Impact Hub)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB is a member of Civi-co, a social impact hub that provides networking, capacity building, and visibility for impact organizations in Brazil.
• REMS (Rede Esporte pela Mudança Social)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB participates in the Sport for Social Change Network (REMS), a collective of organizations using sport as a tool for social development.
• Museu do FutebolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Football Museum (Núcleo Educativo) is a key institutional partner co-hosting digital events and hosting the English national team during the 2025 international friendly in São Paulo. WFB conducts joint programming with the museum's senior education programs.
• UNICAMP (Universidade Estadual de Campinas)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB conducted the 2025 international friendly match with the English national team at the UNICAMP physical education complex. WFB also collaborates on research publications with UNICAMP faculty (Prof. Júlia Barreira).
• UFES (Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research cooperation on walking football and active ageing.
• UDESC (Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research cooperation on walking football methodology.
• Revivendo Memórias (Hospital das Clínicas da USP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB partners with the Revivendo Memórias program of the Cognitive Neurology Group at Hospital das Clínicas da USP, which studies cognitive health in seniors and collaborates on research about walking football benefits.
• ILC Brazil (International Longevity Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFB is part of ILC Brazil's ecosystem, specifically in the Sport and Ageing hub. Dr. Alexandre Kalache, former WHO director and ILC Brazil president, has publicly endorsed WFB. CEO Ricardo Leme integrates ILC Brazil.
• Walking Football PortugalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational peer organization for walking football cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Liga SolidáriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing social partner whose elderly participants engage in WFB activities. Liga Solidária's director, Cristiane Felipe, serves on WFB's Advisory Council.
• Prefeitura de JundiaícoreOthersJundiaí municipal government partners with WFB for walking football programming. In 2025, WFB and the Prefeitura discussed expansion and maintenance of the sport in the municipality. Programs funded through Lei de Incentivo ao Esporte.
• Prefeitura de CajamarcoreOthersCajamar was one of the first municipalities to launch walking football in 2019. WFB partners with multiple secretariats (Sports, Social Development, Elderly Affairs) for program delivery.
• Prefeitura de ItapevicoreOthersItapevi hosts a WFB nucleus and was the venue for the 2025 international friendly match with the English national team at the municipal stadium.
• Prefeitura de GuarulhosminorOthersGuarulhos municipal government partners through the Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Social for WFB programming.
• Prefeitura de BarueriminorOthersBarueri municipality hosted inter-generational walking football events at the Parque da Maturidade, in partnership with Simpress HP and WFB.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ILC Brazil (International Longevity Centre): Brazilian active-ageing ecosystem organization with which WFB partners via the Sport and Ageing hub. Comparable as a Brazil-focused NGO promoting longevity, with overlapping target population (60+) and similar public-policy, research, and corporate-partnership model.
• Walking Football Association (WFA): The English governing body that originated walking football in 2011 and runs the Grassroots Awards (which WFB won). Directly comparable as a national-level walking football federation operating competitions, certification, and methodology standards.
• REMS (Rede Esporte pela Mudança Social): Brazilian Sport for Social Change Network of which WFB is a member. Directly comparable as a Brazilian third-sector organization using sport as a vehicle for social development, sharing WFB's NGO positioning and corporate partnership model.
• FIWFA (Federation of International Walking Football Associations): International governing body of which WFB is the official Brazilian affiliate. Directly comparable as the umbrella federation coordinating national walking football associations, competitions, and rules across member countries.

Others

• Liga Solidária: Brazilian social-assistance organization whose elderly participants engage with WFB. Comparable as an adjacent third-sector organization serving the same senior demographic in Brazil with overlapping programming.
• Civi-co (Impact Hub): Brazilian social-impact hub of which WFB is a member. Comparable as ecosystem infrastructure supporting social organizations with capacity building, networking, and visibility — analogous to WFB's positioning among Brazilian third-sector NGOs.

Regional players

• Walking Football Australia: Australian national body for walking football with state-level affiliates running competitions and community programs. Comparable federation structure, similar senior-focused health-and-social agenda in an English-speaking federation context.
• Walking Football Scotland: Scottish national body governing walking football — one of the sport's earliest established markets. Operates a similar federation model organizing leagues, training certifications, and senior programming across Scotland.
• Walking Football Portugal: Portuguese counterpart organization explicitly listed by WFB as an international peer for cooperation and knowledge exchange. Operates in a similar regulatory environment (Iberian market) and serves as a regional model for Lusophone walking football expansion.

Emerging players

• Sydney Walking Football Club: Active grassroots walking football operator in Sydney running regular sessions and competitive teams. Comparable as a community-delivery layer within a national federation, mirroring WFB's nuclei-network model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/brasil_walking
• YouTubeyoutube.com/walkingfootballbrasil
• Facebookfacebook.com/walkingfootballbrasil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walking-football-brasil
• Instagraminstagram.com/walkingfootballbr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Walking Football Brasil