Carioca kicks off: format, prizes and more, Flamengo chase 40th title | OneFootball

Carioca Championship begins this Sunday (11), with Flamengo and Portuguesa

The Carioca Championship kicks off with Flamengo and Portuguesa, this Sunday (11), in Volta Redonda. The most successful team in the competition, the Most Beloved is aiming for its 40th trophy. The trophy, in 2026, is named after a former coach of the Rubro-Negro, Washington Rodrigues, known as Apolinho, a radio legend in Rio de Janeiro.

Do you already know what the regulations will be in 2026? And the prize, are you aware that this year the teams will receive money? Discover this and other information about the most charming state championship, the Carioca, which will have fewer dates this season.

WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS FOR THE 2026 CARIOCA CHAMPIONSHIP?

The competition has 12 teams, divided into two groups. In Group A: Bangu, Fluminense, Portuguesa, Sampaio Corrêa, Vasco, and Volta Redonda. In Group B: Boavista, Botafogo, Flamengo, Madureira, Maricá, and Nova Iguaçu. Teams from one group face those from the other.

The top four from each group advance to the quarterfinals. That is, the first from one group faces the fourth from the other, the second faces the third, and so on. The quarterfinals will be a single match, but the semifinals will have home and away legs. On the other hand, the final will be a single match.

Quarterfinals:

The semifinal matchups will be decided by a draw. Unlike other years, the competition will overlap with the Brasileirão. After all, the national tournament starts in January, and the Carioca ends on March 7 or 8, 2026.

WILL THERE BE PRIZES IN THE CARIOCA CHAMPIONSHIP?

Unlike recent years, the Carioca Championship will have prizes. Flamengo will receive a participation fee of R$ 10 million, higher than its rivals. Additionally, the champion will receive R$ 10 million and the runner-up will pocket R$ 5 million.

WHO BROADCASTS THE CARIOCA CHAMPIONSHIP?

Grupo Globo will be responsible for broadcasting the Carioca Championship. That is, the open channel Globo, the cable TV SporTV, the pay-per-view Premiere, and geTV on YouTube will broadcast the competition. Flamengo's debut against Portuguesa will be on Globo and Premiere.

WHO HAS WON THE CARIOCA?

The current two-time champion, Flamengo, is seeking its seventh Carioca three-peat in history. Not only that: if they win the trophy, the Most Beloved will reach their 40th state title. Following in the rankings are Fluminense (33), Vasco (24), and Botafogo (21).

WHEN DOES FLAMENGO DEBUT IN THE CARIOCA?

The first match of Flamengo against Portuguesa is brought forward from the fifth round. This is because the match was scheduled for January 31. However, on February 1, the Rubro-Negro will compete in the Supercopa do Brasil against Corinthians in Brasília.

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