With the tight calendar of Brazilian football, the CBF plans changes in the formula of Northeast Cup from 2026. According to journalist Fernando Graziani, from the newspaper O Povo, among the most discussed proposals internally so far is the expansion of the regional competition to 20 clubs.
The new model foresees three representatives of Bahia and three from Ceará, as well as two clubs from each of the other seven participating states.
Why should the Northeast Cup change format? THE Sporting News Explain.
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Why will the CBF reformulate the Northeast Cup?
The entity’s main goal is to rearrange the dates of all national and international competitions involving clubs in the country, avoiding the accumulation of matches and the short time between them, as has occurred in 2025.
Still according to Graziani, the Northeast Pre-Cup should be extinguishedsince the current calendar does not allow extra qualifying rounds.
The distributions of the 20 participating teams are being analyzed. There are two alternatives on the agenda: one with four groups of five clubs and one with five groups of four teams.
Once this definition is completed, the classification criteria and initial confrontations will be adjusted to find out if they will take place in round trip games.
Relevant change in the national calendar
One of the definitions already forwarded is that the Northeast Cup will no longer be played in parallel to the state championships. With this, these tournaments will be held in January, with the current format maintained, and only after the finish will begin the Northeast Cup.
This change will push the Northeastern dispute for a more disputed calendar period: the first round of the four divisions of the Brazilian Championship.
In addition, the dates imposed by FIFA and Conmebol should also be considered for the games of selection and continental tournaments.
It is important to note that the previous CBF management was criticized for conducting the regional tournament. The proposed changes currently have the promise of rescuing prestige and maintaining the importance of competition for the region.
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How is the Northeast Cup shape in 2025?
This year, the Northeast Cup is structured in two distinct stages. The first is a preliminary eliminatory tournament, known as “Northeast Pre-Copa”divided into two knockout phases. The second is Northeast Cupwhich has four phases: Group phase, Quarterfinals, Semifinal e Final.
Na first phase16 clubs are grouped in eight clashes played in a single game, with the best ranking teams according to the 2024 CBF ranking. The draws are decided on penalties, and the winner of each confrontation advances.
Na second phasethe eight classifieds face each other again in unique duels. With the eight winning clubs of the elimination stage added to those already qualified, the Northeast Cup follow with 16 teams divided into two groups (a and b) of eight teams each.
Each team faces all of the group itself in a single shift in seven rounds. You First four places of each group advance.
Nas quarterfinals e semifinalsthe teams play unique games, with the best classified team. Draws are decided on penalties.
Na finalthe two finalists play round trip matches. The best campaign team has the benefit of playing the second game at home.
