Brasileirão

Brasileirão, officially named the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, is the top level of professional football in Brazil. It is organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The competition traces its roots to the Taça Brasil of 1959 and, in its modern form as the national league, has been contested since the early 1970s. It stands as the premier national competition for Brazilian clubs and is a central feature of the country’s football calendar.

Format and competition structure: The league typically features 20 teams. They play in a double round-robin format, facing each other once at home and once away for a total of 38 matches. Standard points are used: three for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned champion. The bottom teams are relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, with promoted teams joining the following season. The season generally runs from May to December, with occasional calendar adjustments.

International qualification: The top finishers earn places in Brazil’s primary continental competitions, notably the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, with the exact allocations determined by the regulations of each year.

History and clubs: The Brasileirão has been dominated at different times by clubs such as Palmeiras, Flamengo, Santos, Corinthians and São Paulo. The league is known for its competitiveness, producing many notable players and contributing to the development of Brazilian football talent.

Administration and branding: The league is administered by the CBF and has undergone reforms to modernize calendar, media rights, and sponsorship. It enjoys broad domestic broadcast coverage and significant international interest through various platforms.