Brasileirão

The 2026 season

The Brasileirão runs on the calendar year, opening in late January and closing in early December, which sets it apart from every European league on this site and means it is at its midpoint when they are starting.

Twenty clubs, 38 rounds, and four relegated. The wider relegation zone is the defining feature: a fifth of the division goes down each year, and clubs with continental commitments regularly find themselves in it because the fixture calendar gives them no room.

The clubs to know

Palmeiras, Flamengo, Corinthians, São Paulo, Santos, Grêmio and Internacional make up the group that expects to compete, and between them they carry most of the league's history and almost all of its support. Flamengo claim the largest fanbase in Brazil and one of the largest in world football.

The derbies are city affairs and they are loud: Palmeiras against Corinthians and São Paulo in São Paulo, Flamengo against Fluminense and Vasco in Rio, Grêmio against Internacional in Porto Alegre. A Brazilian derby is a different event from a European one and the television coverage does not fully convey it.

What makes the Brasileirão different

The calendar, first. This league runs January to December on the calendar year rather than across two, so it is at its midpoint when the European seasons are starting. That is why its season is labelled with a single year.

Then the fixture load. Brazilian clubs play state championships, domestic cups and continental competition alongside the league, and it falls unevenly. A side deep in the Copa Libertadores will field a rotated team in Série A, so a table position in June says less here than it would in Europe at the same stage. And four clubs are relegated rather than three, which keeps a fifth of the division in a survival fight into November.

Following the season week to week

Rounds fall midweek and at weekends, kicking off late in the evening local time. From Europe that means most matches land between ten at night and one in the morning; from North America the timing is ordinary evening viewing.

The table updates as results are confirmed and the round preview covers each matchday with form and recent results. The viewing guide covers the North American rights and explains why European coverage is harder to pin down.

Brasileirão: common questions

When does the Brazilian Série A season run?

On the calendar year, from late January to early December. That is why the season is labelled with a single year rather than two, and why the league is at its midpoint while the European seasons are starting.

How many clubs are relegated from the Brasileirão?

Four, from a division of twenty. That is one more than the European leagues relegate and it keeps a fifth of the division in a survival fight into November.

How many matches are in a Brasileirão season?

380, with 38 for each of the twenty clubs, played alongside state championships, domestic cups and continental competition.

Where can I watch Brasileirão matches?

TV Globo Internacional holds the North American rights and carries up to nine matches a round. European coverage has moved between broadcasters and we have not confirmed this season's holders, so the CBF's own listings are the route we would use.

What time do Brazilian matches kick off for European viewers?

Late. Most fall between 22:00 and 01:00 in western Europe, which is the main practical reason the league has a smaller European following than the standard of play deserves. From North America the timing is ordinary evening viewing.

What should you know before betting on the Brasileirão?

The fixture calendar, above everything. Clubs play state championships, cups and continental competition alongside the league and the load falls unevenly, so a side deep in the Copa Libertadores will field a rotated team and the price will not always reflect it. Home advantage also runs stronger here, partly because a club can fly four hours between rounds.

Not sure where a match is on? The viewing guide lists the confirmed rights holders by country.