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)
Some websites State that the 1956 state championship was won by Trem which would take their total titles to ten, however, other sites have the winner as Macapa.
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
Defending Champions: Athletico Paranaense (28)
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)
Record winners: Corinthians (30)
Campeonato Sergipano
Start Date: 11/01/2025
Defending Champions: Confiança (22)
Record winners: Sergipe (37)
Campeonato Tocantinense
Start Date: 01/02/2025
Defending Champions: União (2)
Record winners: Palmas (8)
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