The 2026 State Championships are set to kick off in Brazil, with the majority of them kicking off in January. With the 2026 World Cup happening in the summer, there’s been a significant revamp to the calendar in Brazilian football for the year, which will see the Brasileirão run simultaneously with the State Championship, meaning rotation and squad depth will be more important than ever, and it could be a huge chance for youngsters to get more game time than before.
In 2024only one side were crowned State Champions for the first time, and that would repeat in 2025 as Primavera, who were only founded in 2022, lifted the Campeonato Mato-Grossense with a penalty shootout victory over Cuiaba.
The four biggest State Championships to watch out for are;
Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo): Often considered the most prestigious due to the financial clout and historical success of clubs like Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos. São Paulo state is the economic heart of Brazil, and the championship attracts significant attention both nationally and internationally.
Carioca Championship (Rio de Janeiro): Featuring famous clubs such as Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Vasco da Gama, the Campeonato Carioca has a rich history and passionate fanbases. With Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense becoming champions of South America in the last few years, the battle for the Carioca is certainly hotting up.
Minas Gerais Championship (Minas Gerais): Dominated by Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro, this championship showcases strong local rivalries and consistently produces teams that perform well in national competitions.
Gaucho Championship (Rio Grande do Sul): Home to Grêmio and Internacional, whose rivalry known as “Gre-Nal” is one of the fiercest in Brazil.
Acre Championship
Alagoano Championship
Defending Champions: Clube de Regatas Brasil (35)
Record winners: Centro Sportivo Alagoano (40)
Amapá Championship
Defending Champions: Club Sports Train (10)
Record winners: Macapá (16)
Amazonense Championship
Defending Champions: Amazonas (2)
Record winners: National (43)
Bahia Championship
Defending Champions: Bahia (51)
Record winners: Bahia (51)
Ceará Championship
Defending Champions: Ceará (47)
Record winners: Ceará (47)
Ceará’s triumph in 2025 saw them become record champions.
Brasiliense Championship
Defending Champions: Gama (14)
Record winners: Gama (14)
Capixaba Championship
Defending Champions: Rio Branco (39)
Record winners: Rio Branco (39)
Goiano Championship
Defending Champions: Vila Nova (16)
Record winners: Goiás (28)
Maranhão Championship
Defending Champions: Maranhão (18)
Record winners: Sampaio Corrêa (37)
Mato Grosso Championship
Defending Champions: Primavera (1)
Record winners: Mixed (24)
Sul-Mato-Grossense Championship
Defending Champions: Worker (14)
Record winners: Worker (14)
Minas Gerais Championship
Defending Champions: Atlético Mineiro (50)
Record winners: Atlético Mineiro (50)
Paraense Championship
Defending Champions: Remo (48)
Record winners: Paysandu (50)
Paraibano Championship
Defending Champions: Sousa (4)
Record winners: Botafogo PB (30)
Paraná Championship
Record winners: Coritiba (39)
Pernambuco Championship
Defending Champions: Sport Recife (45)
Record winners: Sport Recife (45)
Piauí Championship
Defending Champions: Piauí (6)
Record winners: River Atlético Clube (32)
Carioca Championship
Defending Champions: Flamengo (39)
Record winners: Flamengo (39)
Potiguar Championship
Defending Champions: América Futebol Clube (RN) (39)
Record winners: ABC Futebol Clube (57)
Gaucho Championship
Defending Champions: International (46)
Record winners: International (46)
Rondoniense Championship
Defending Champions: Porto Velho (5)
Record winners: Ferroviário Atlético Clube (17) Dissolved in 1990*
Roraimense Championship
Defending Champions: Grêmio Atlético Sampaio (2)
Record winners: Baré (26)
Santa Catarina Championship
Defending Champions: Avaí (19)
Record winners: Avaí (19)
Avaí’s victory in 2025 saw them become record champions.
Paulista Championship
Record winners: Corinthians (31)
