Changes reduce state dates, expand national knockout and include the South-Southeast Cup, which will be disputed by clubs in these regions that do not dispute Libertadores or South American
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officialized this Wednesday (1st) the new calendar of national football for the Quadrennium 2026-2029. The changes involve the reduction of state championships, the anticipation of the beginning of the Brazilian Championship, the reformulation of the Brazilian Cup and the creation of a new regional competition.
Main changes
- State: will have at most 11 dates from 2026, disputed between January 11 and March 8.
- Brasileirão: will be disputed January 28 to December 2occupying practically the whole year. There will be a five -week break during the 2026 World Cup, between June 11 and July 19.
- Copa do Brasil: extended from 92 to 126 clubs in 2026 and 128 in 2027. The tournament will have FINAL IN SINGLE GAMEon the day December 6in headquarters to be defined. The teams of the series will only enter the fifth phase.
- Regional: will be kept to Northeast Cup and Green Cup (which will be dismembered in north and midwest, with ending between the champions), and created South-Southeast Cupgathering 12 clubs from SP, RJ, MG, PR, SC and RS. All will be disputed between March and June. Clubs classified for Libertadores and South American will not play regional tournaments.
- C series: will have gradual expansion, reaching 28 clubs in 2028when it will be played in two groups of 14 teams.
- Series D: It will increase from 64 for 96 teams until 2028.
CBF justifications
The entity’s president, Samir Xaud, said the new model seeks to balance the game load for elite clubs and expand the national calendar for teams that are inactive for much of the year. “It is a matter of sports justice, sustainable development and balance. We had to cut in the flesh itself, but I believe we will harvest fruits in the future,” he said.
According to CBF, in 2024 Serie A clubs played, on average, 67.4 games, compared to 57.2 of the main teams of foreign leagues. Change is expected to reduce the number of elite matches by up to 15% and increase the number of clubs with national calendar by 26%. The director of competitions, Julio Avellar, also stressed that the expansion of international tournaments of Conmebol and FIFA required adjustments in the Brazilian calendar.
Palmeiras President Leila Pereira supported the changes: “Palmeiras agrees with the reduction of state and the new model of the calendar. CBF has taken a very important step to respect the integrity of athletes and value Brazilian football”.
Upcoming measures
The CBF also announced that in November it will present the rules of the FAIR PLAY FINANCIALwhich will aim to control expenses, reduce debt and give more sustainability to the management of clubs.
📌 New calendar summary (from 2026):
- State: 11 dates, from 11/01 to 08/03
- Brasileirão Series A: 28/01 a 02/12
- Series B: 21/02 a 28/11
- C series: 05/04 to 25/10 (20 clubs in 2026, until 28 in 2028)
- Series D: 05/04 to 13/09 (64 for 96 clubs)
- Copa do Brasil: 02/18 to 06/12, single end, 126 clubs in 2026
- Northeast Cup: 20 clubs, 03/25 to 07/06
- Green Cup: 25/03 to 07/06, with “conference” format
- South-Southeast Cup: 12 clubs, 03/25 to 07/06
- Super Cup do Brasil: 01/24, inaugural departure of the calendar
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
