Brazilian Serie C 2026 Fixtures, Results & Standings

About Campeonato Brasileiro Série C

The Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, commonly referred to as Brazilian Série C, is the third tier of the Brazilian football league system. Organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), it serves as a crucial bridge between regional leagues and the upper professional tiers (Série B and Série A).

Série C features intense competition among historic clubs, emerging teams, and ambitious regional sides aiming to climb into the higher ranks of Brazilian football.

Competition Format

• Number of teams: 20
• Initial Phase: Single round-robin (each team plays 19 matches)
• Top 8 teams: Advance to the Second Phase (Group Stage)
• Second Phase: 2 groups of 4 teams each (home & away)
• Top 2 from each group: Promoted to Série B
• Group winners: Play Série C Final to determine the champion

Relegation

• The bottom 4 teams in the First Phase are relegated to Série D

Promotion Path

• Top 4 teams (2 from each second-phase group) are promoted to Série B
• Successful campaigns in Série C are often stepping stones to elite national exposure

Notable Clubs

Série C often includes clubs with historic significance and passionate fanbases, such as:

• Paysandu, Remo, Figueirense, Botafogo-SP, Náutico, América-RN

These clubs frequently attract strong attendance and competitive matches, especially in Northern and Northeastern Brazil.

Defending Champions

The most recent Série C champion is Botafogo PB, who lifted their first national trophy after a strong campaign.

League Tier & Organization

• Série C is the third tier in Brazil’s national league structure
• It sits below Série A and Série B, and above Série D, where teams are selected based on regional qualifiers
• Organized by Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF)

Season Calendar

• The competition typically runs from April to November
• Schedule may vary slightly depending on calendar adjustments by the CBF

Stadiums & Attendance

• Stadium capacities in Série C vary widely — from large regional arenas to intimate home grounds
• While average attendance is lower than Série A or B, fan passion remains strong, particularly in local derbies and promotion battles

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When does the Série C season start and end?
A: The Brazilian Série C usually begins in April and ends in November.

Q: How many teams compete in Série C?
A: There are 20 teams in the league, coming from across all Brazilian states.

Q: How many teams get promoted from Série C?
A: The top 4 teams (2 from each second-phase group) are promoted to Série B.

Q: How many teams are relegated?
A: The bottom 4 teams from the first phase are relegated to Série D.

Q: What is the format of the final?
A: The two group winners in the second phase play a two-legged final to determine the Série C champion.

Q: Is there VAR in Série C?
A: As of recent seasons, VAR has been partially implemented, particularly in decisive promotion matches and finals.

Q: Where can I watch Série C matches?
A: Série C is available on DAZN, Canal GOAT, and streaming platforms associated with the CBF or individual clubs.

Q: Which club has the most Série C titles?
A: Clubs like Oeste, Atlético Goianiense, and Sampaio Corrêa have had strong performances in Série C history.