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
Defending Champions: Independência (13)
Record winners: Rio Branco (49)
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
Defending Champions: Operário (2)
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
Defending Champions: Corinthians (26)
Record winners: Corinthians (31)
Campeonato Sergipano
Start Date: 10/01/2026
Defending Champions: Confiança (23)
Record winners: Sergipe (37)
Campeonato Tocantinense
Start Date: 17/02/2026
Defending Champions: União (3)
Record winners: Palmas (8)
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