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Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A is the top division of men’s professional football in Brazil.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A is the top division of men’s professional football in Brazil. Governed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), it features 20 teams competing in a league system. Clubs earn points for wins and draws, with the champion determined by the highest point total at season's end.

Format

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A is played as a league competition where clubs accumulate points over the course of a season. The ranking system uses total points as the primary criterion, followed by tiebreakers of wins, goal difference, and goals scored. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.

History

The competition is the established national top tier of Brazilian football. Its modern league structure serves as the basis for determining the national champion each season.

Standings

League tables order clubs by points and related tiebreakers. Standings determine not only the champion but also continental qualification and relegation places. Current standings vary by season and are updated during the campaign.

Promotion and relegation

The bottom-ranked teams in Série A are relegated to Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, while successful clubs from Série B earn promotion to the top division. This system links Brazil’s two highest professional football divisions.

Key facts

  • The competition is Brazil’s premier men’s football league.
  • Teams are ranked by points, then by wins, goal difference, and goals scored.
  • The club with the most points at the end of the season is champion.
  • The league uses promotion and relegation with Série B.
  • The current standings vary by season and are updated during the campaign.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may follow the league because it features players, coaches, and transfer markets that connect to North American football coverage, and its standings are often reported by international sports outlets.

Frequently asked questions

What is Campeonato Brasileiro Série A?
It is Brazil’s top division of men’s professional football and the country’s main national league.
How are teams ranked in the standings?
Teams are ranked by total points, then by wins, goal difference, and goals scored.
How many teams play in the league?
The league has 20 teams.
How is the champion decided?
The club with the most points at the end of the season is crowned champion.
Is there relegation?
Yes. The league has promotion and relegation with Campeonato Brasileiro Série B.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Brasileiro_S%C3%A9rie_A
    Supports: League format, points system, ranking criteria, and promotion/relegation.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/standings/_/league/bra.1
    Supports: Current season standings structure and ranking presentation.
  3. BBC Sport — https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/brazilian-league/table
    Supports: Current standings and league-table format.