Looking Ahead To Brazil’s 27 State Championships In 2025 | OneFootball

By Louis Smith.

The 2025 State Championships are set to kick off in Brazil, with the majority getting under way in January, reigniting fierce local rivalries as each team competes for bragging rights.

Unlike 2023, which saw three teams win their first titles, last year featured only one new champion. Grêmio Atlético Sampaio claimed their first-ever title, lifting the Campeonato Roraimense.

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.

Campeonato Carioca (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.

Campeonato Mineiro (Minas Gerais): Dominated by Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro, this championship showcases strong local rivalries and consistently produces teams that perform well in national competitions.

Campeonato Gaúcho (Rio Grande do Sul): Home to Grêmio and Internacional, whose rivalry known as “Gre-Nal” is one of the fiercest in Brazil.

Campeonato Acreano

Start Date: 25/01/2025

Defending Champions: Independência (12)

Record winners: Rio Branco (49)

Campeonato Alagoano

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Clube de Regatas Brasil (34)

Record winners: Centro Sportivo Alagoano (40)

Campeonato Amapaense

Start Date: 08/03/2025

Defending Champions: Trem Desportivo Clube (9)

Record winners: Macapá (17)

Campeonato Amazonense

Start Date: 24/01/2025

Defending Champions: Manaus (6)

Record winners: Nacional (43)

Campeonato Baiano

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Vitória (30)

Record winners: Bahia (50)

Campeonato Cearense

Start Date: 18/01/2025

Defending Champions: Ceará (46)

Record winners: Fortaleza/Ceará (46)

Campeonato Brasiliense

Start Date: 18/01/2025

Defending Champions: Ceilândia (3)

Record winners: Gama (13)

Campeonato Capixaba

Start Date: 18/01/2025

Defending Champions: Rio Branco (38)

Record winners: Rio Branco (38)

Campeonato Goiano

Start Date: 15/01/2025

Defending Champions: Atlético Goianiense (18)

Record winners: Goiás (28)

Campeonato Maranhense

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Sampaio Corrêa (37)

Record winners: Sampaio Corrêa (37)

Campeonato Mato-Grossense

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Cuiabá (13)

Record winners: Mixto (24)

Campeonato Sul-Mato-Grossense

Start Date: 12/01/2025

Defending Champions: Operário (13)

Record winners: Operário (13)

Campeonato Mineiro

Start Date: 18/01/2025

Defending Champions: Atlético Mineiro (49)

Record winners: Atlético Mineiro (49)

Campeonato Paraense

Start Date: 18/01/2025

Defending Champions: Paysandu (50)

Record winners: Paysandu (50)

Campeonato Paraibano

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Sousa (3)

Record winners: Botafogo PB (30)

Campeonato Paranaense

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Record winners: Coritiba (39)

Campeonato Pernambucano

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions:Sport Recife (44)

Record winners: Sport Recife (44)

Campeonato Piauiense

Start Date: 12/01/2025

Defending Champions: Atlética de Altos (4)

Record winners: River Atlético Clube (32)

Campeonato Carioca

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Flamengo (38)

Record winners: Flamengo (38)

Campeonato Potiguar

Start Date: 12/01/2025

Defending Champions: América Futebol Clube (RN) (37)

Record winners: ABC Futebol Clube (57)

Campeonato Gaúcho

Start Date: 22/01/2025

Defending Champions: Grêmio (43)

Record winners: Grêmio (43)

Campeonato Rondoniense

Start Date: 01/02/2025

Defending Champions: Porto Velho (4)

Record winners: Ferroviário Atlético Clube (17) Dissolved in 1990*

Campeonato Roraimense

Start Date: TBC

Defending Champions: Grêmio Atlético Sampaio (1)

Record winners: Baré (26)

Campeonato Catarinense

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Criciúma (12)

Record winners: Avaí FC/Figueirense FC (18)

Campeonato Paulista

Start Date: 15/01/2025

Defending Champions: Palmeiras (26)

Campeonato Sergipano

Start Date: 11/01/2025

Defending Champions: Confiança (22)

Record winners: Sergipe (37)

Campeonato Tocantinense

Start Date: 01/02/2025