CBF unveils new 2026 Brazilian football calendar, major changes ahead | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on the morning of this Wednesday (1st) the new national football calendar starting from the 2026 season. The announcement was made at an event led by the entity's president, Samir Xaud, who highlighted the intention to introduce a new culture in Brazilian football, aiming for greater organization and enhancement of the product.

Among the main changes is the alteration in the period of the Brazilian Championship Serie A, which will now be held from January to December, with a break during the World Cup. Serie B will also have an extended calendar, taking place from March to November.

Serie A and Serie B

Serie A: will start in January and end in December, with a break during the World Cup period.

Serie B: will be held from March to November, also pausing during the World Cup.

Series C and D

Serie C: will maintain its format in 2026. The competition will gradually increase the number of clubs: there will be 28 starting in 2028. Between 2026 and 2027, only two clubs will be relegated. Like other competitions, it will grant a spot in the 3rd phase of the Copa do Brasil.

Serie D: will be expanded to 96 clubs, with the inclusion of 32 new teams, maintaining the promotion ratio. Six teams will move up to Serie C.

Copa do Brasil

The main national cup will also have new features. Starting in 2026, all Serie A clubs will enter the 5th phase of the tournament, which reduces between one and three dates in the calendar for elite teams. The number of participants will increase from 92 to 126 in 2026 and to 128 in 2027. Another highlight is the decision in a single match, following a model already adopted in international competitions.

Regional Cups and New Competition

The calendar also brings changes and creations at the regional level:

Copa do Nordeste: will be reduced from 13 to 10 dates, in addition to expanding to 20 clubs in the main phase. It will not include teams participating in Conmebol competitions. The champion will have a guaranteed spot in the 3rd phase of the Copa do Brasil.

Copa Verde: will continue with 10 dates and 24 clubs, without the participation of teams involved in continental tournaments. It will also grant a spot in the 3rd phase of the Copa do Brasil.

Copa Sul-Sudeste: will be the new national competition, with 12 participating clubs, in 10 dates. Like the others, clubs involved in Conmebol tournaments will not participate. The champion will also have a spot in the 3rd phase of the Copa do Brasil.

State Championships

The state championships remain preserved in the calendar, with a limit of up to 11 dates and held between January and March.

With these changes, the CBF seeks to align the Brazilian calendar with the main leagues in the world, while expanding the number of participating clubs in national and regional competitions. The expectation, according to the entity, is to increase competitiveness, strengthen the club base throughout the country, and make the Brazilian football product more attractive to the market, media, and fans.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.