Looking Ahead To Brazil’s 27 State Championships In 2026 | OneFootball

By Louis Smith.

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 2024, only 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.

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: 12/01/2026

Campeonato Alagoano

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Clube de Regatas Brasil (35)

Record winners: Centro Sportivo Alagoano (40)

Campeonato Amapaense

Start Date: 07/02/2026

Defending Champions: Trem Desportivo Clube (10)

Record winners: Macapá (16)

Campeonato Amazonense

Start Date:  10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Amazonas  (2)

Record winners: Nacional (43)

Campeonato Baiano

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Bahia (51)

Record winners: Bahia (51)

Campeonato Cearense

Start Date: 06/01/2026

Defending Champions: Ceará (47)

Record winners: Ceará (47)

Ceará’s triumph in 2025 saw them become record champions.

Campeonato Brasiliense

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Gama (14)

Record winners: Gama (14)

Campeonato Capixaba

Start Date: 13/01/2026

Defending Champions: Rio Branco (39)

Record winners: Rio Branco (39)

Campeonato Goiano

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Vila Nova (16)

Record winners: Goiás (28)

Campeonato Maranhense

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Maranhão (18)

Record winners: Sampaio Corrêa (37)

Campeonato Mato-Grossense

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Primavera (1)

Record winners: Mixto (24)

Campeonato Sul-Mato-Grossense

Start Date: 18/01/2026

Defending Champions: Operário (14)

Record winners: Operário (14)

Campeonato Mineiro

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Atlético Mineiro (50)

Record winners: Atlético Mineiro (50)

Campeonato Paraense

Start Date: 24/01/2026

Defending Champions: Remo (48)

Record winners: Paysandu (50)

Campeonato Paraibano

Start Date: 17/01/2026

Defending Champions: Sousa (4)

Record winners: Botafogo PB (30)

Campeonato Paranaense

Start Date: 06/01/2026

Record winners: Coritiba (39)

Campeonato Pernambucano

Start Date: 09/01/2026

Defending Champions: Sport Recife (45)

Record winners: Sport Recife (45)

Campeonato Piauiense

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Piauí (6)

Record winners: River Atlético Clube (32)

Campeonato Carioca

Start Date: 11/01/2026

Defending Champions: Flamengo (39)

Record winners: Flamengo (39)

Campeonato Potiguar

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: América Futebol Clube (RN) (39)

Record winners: ABC Futebol Clube (57)

Campeonato Gaúcho

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Defending Champions: Internacional (46)

Record winners: Internacional (46)

Campeonato Rondoniense

Start Date: 17/02/2026

Defending Champions: Porto Velho (5)

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

Campeonato Roraimense

Start Date: TBC

Defending Champions: Grêmio Atlético Sampaio (2)

Record winners: Baré (26)

Campeonato Catarinense

Start Date: 06/01/2026

Defending Champions: Avaí (19)

Record winners: Avaí (19)

Avaí’s victory in 2025 saw them become record champions.

Campeonato Paulista

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Record winners: Corinthians (31)

Campeonato Sergipano

Start Date: 10/01/2026

Campeonato Tocantinense

Start Date: 17/02/2026