The FPF (São Paulo Football Federation) announced on Tuesday night (11) the division of groups and the new format for the 2026 Paulista Championship.
With 11 dates starting from the next edition, under the new CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) calendar, compared to 15 until this year, the state tournament is expected to start on January 11th, ending on March 8th.
Inspired by the new Champions League format, Paulista divided the 16 participating teams into four pots, based on technical criteria.
In addition to facing three opponents from the same pot, each team will also play against five teams from other pots, with the clashes being determined through a draw.
In Group A, there are Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos and São Paulo. In B, São Bernardo, Novorizontino, Red Bull Bragantino and Mirassol, respectively fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth placed in the 2025 Paulista.
Group C is made up of Ponte Preta, Guarani, Velo Clube and Portuguesa, who finished the last edition between 9th and 12th position. And D brings together Botafogo-SP and Noroeste, 13th and 14th placed in 2025, and Capivariano and Primavera, which moved up from Paulista A2.
At the end of the first phase, the best eight advance to the quarterfinals, in a single game, with ties decided on penalties.
The semi-finals will also be a single match, with the decision scheduled for the 8th. The last two placed at the end of the first phase will be relegated to the second division.
Record, TNT, HBO Max and CazéTV will broadcast the state matches.
