Campeonato Brasileiro Série A


The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, commonly referred as Brasileirão, is a Brazilian professional league for men's football clubs. At the top of the Brazilian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B.
Due to historical peculiarities and the large geographical size of the country, Brazil has a relatively short history of nationwide football competitions. Only in 1959, with the advancements in civil aviation and air transport and the need to appoint a Brazilian representative to the first edition of the Copa Libertadores was a nationwide tournament created, Taça Brasil. In 1967, the Torneio Rio-São Paulo was expanded to include teams from other states, becoming the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, which was also considered a national tournament. The first Campeonato Brasileiro with that name was held in 1989. Prior to this, only the seasons post-1971 were regarded as Campeonato Brasileiro. In 2010, the national tournaments from 1959 and 1970 – Taça Brasil and Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa – were unified by the Brazilian Football Confederation in the Brazilian championship history but cataloging these with their original name in the statistics, indeed they confer the same title, that of Brazilian champion, despite being different competitions.
The Campeonato Brasileiro is one of the strongest leagues in the world; it contains the most club world champions titles, with 10 championships won among six clubs, and the second-most Copa Libertadores titles, with 19 title's won among 10 clubs. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics ranked the league fourth in strength for the 2001–12 period after the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A. The Campeonato Brasileiro is the most-watched football league in the Americas and one of the world's most exposed, broadcast in 155 nations. It is also one of the world's richest championships, ranked as the sixth most valuable with a worth of over US$1.43 billion, generating an annual turnover of over US$1.17 billion in 2012.
Since 1959, a total of 156 clubs have played in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Seventeen clubs have been crowned Brazilian football champions, twelve of which have won the title more than once. Palmeiras is the most successful club of the Campeonato Brasileiro, having won the competition ten times, followed by Santos with eight titles, Corinthians with seven titles, and Flamengo and São Paulo with six titles each. Santos' Os Santásticos won five consecutive titles between 1961 and 1965, a feat that remains unequaled. The state of São Paulo is the most successful state, amassing 31 titles among five clubs.

History

The Taça Brasil was introduced in 1959, and ran until 1968. The Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa was competed for between 1967 and 1970. In 2010 the CBF announced that these were to be regarded as Brazilian championships.
In 1968, the delay in closing the 1968 Taça Brasil made CBD use the Robertão to determine the Libertadores representants. With the extinction of the Taça Brasil, the Robertão, officially named by CBD as "Taça de Prata" remained the top Brazilian championship the following two years.
Following Brazil's third world title at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, president Emílio Médici decided to better organize Brazilian football. In a reunion with the CBD and the club presidents in October 1970, it was decided to create the following year a Brazilian championship contested by twenty teams, inspired by the national tournaments in the European nations. The first edition of the named "Campeonato Nacional", was held in 1971. The top division was named "Divisão Extra", while a newly created second division earned the "Primeira Divisão" name.
In 1987, CBF announced it was not able to organize the Brazilian football championship, a mere few weeks before it was scheduled to begin. As a result, the thirteen most popular football clubs in Brazil created a league, The Clube dos 13, to organize a championship of their own. This tournament was called Copa União and was run by the 16 clubs that eventually took part in it. CBF initially stood by the Club of the 13 decision. However, weeks later, with the competition already underway, and under pressure from football clubs excluded from the Copa União, CBF adopted a new set of rules, which considered the Copa União part of a larger tournament, comprising another 16 teams. According to that new set of rules, the Copa União would be dubbed the Green Module of the CBF championship, whereas the other 16 teams would play the Yellow Module. In the end, the first two teams of each Module would play each other to define the national champions and the two teams that would represent Brazil in the Copa Libertadores in 1988. However, that new set of rules was never recognized by the Club of the 13 and largely ignored by most of the Brazilian media, who concentrated their attention in the independent league, eventually won by Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. The eventual final tourney was set to have Sport and Guarani, from the yellow module, and Flamengo and Internacional from the green one. It never materialized, however, as Flamengo and Internacional refused to partake in it. As a result, Sport and Guarani played each other, with the first one winning the Championship for 1987 and both going on to represent Brazil in the Copa Libertadores in 1988. Although Flamengo has attempted to gain ownership of the championship multiple times through the justice system, Sport remains recognized by both CBF and FIFA as 1987 Champions.
In 2010, CBF decided to recognize the champions of both Taça Brasil and Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa as Brazilian Champions, creating some controversy as there was a two-year period when both tournaments were held, thus Palmeiras was awarded two times for winning both in 1967 and both Santos and Botafogo were recognized as champions in 1968 as each tournament was won by one of them.

Competition format

Competition

There are 20 clubs in the Brasileirão. During the course of a season each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 38 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, victories, goal difference, and goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal between two or more clubs, the rules are:
A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Brasileirão and the Série B. The four lowest placed teams in the Brasileirão are relegated to Série B, and the top four teams from the Série B promoted to the Brasileirão.

Qualification for international competitions

Since 2016, the top six clubs in the Brasileirão qualify for the following Copa Libertadores. The top four clubs directly enter the group stage whilst the fifth and sixth-placed clubs enter in the second round. The number of teams qualifying for the Libertadores may increase depending on who wins the Copa do Brasil, Copa Sudamericana or Copa Libertadores.
Clubs from seventh to twelfth place qualify for the following Copa Sudamericana, although as above the numbers can depend on other competitions.

Champions

Seventeen clubs are officially recognized to have been the Brazilian football champions.
ClubWonRunner-upYears wonYears Runner-up
Palmeiras1041960*, 1967*, 1967^, 1969^, 1972, 1973, 1993, 1994, 2016, 20181970^, 1978, 1997, 2017
Santos881961*, 1962*, 1963*, 1964*, 1965*, 1968^, 2002, 20041959*, 1966*, 1983, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2016, 2019
Flamengo721980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 2009, 20191964*, 2018
Corinthians731990, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015, 20171976, 1994, 2002
São Paulo661977, 1986, 1991, 2006, 2007, 20081971, 1973, 1981, 1989, 1990, 2014
Cruzeiro451966*, 2003, 2013, 20141969^, 1974, 1975, 1998, 2010
Vasco441974, 1989, 1997, 20001965*, 1979, 1984, 2011
Fluminense401970^, 1984, 2010, 2012—
Internacional361975, 1976, 19791967^, 1968^, 1988, 2005, 2006, 2009
Botafogo231968*, 19951962*, 1972, 1992
Grêmio231981, 19961982, 2008, 2013
Bahia221959*, 19881961*, 1963*
Atlético Mineiro1519711977, 1980, 1999, 2012, 2015
Guarani1219781986, 1987
Atlético Paranaense1120012004
Coritiba101985—
Sport101987—
São Caetano02—2000, 2001
Fortaleza02—1960*, 1968*
Náutico01—1967*
Bangu01—1985
Bragantino01—1991
Vitória01—1993
Portuguesa01—1996

Nomenclature and sponsorship

The Campeonato Brasileiro had its official name changed often before settling on Campeonato Brasileiro in 1989.
IdentityEnglish nameYearsOfficial Sponsor
Taça BrasilBrazil Cup
1959–1968
-
Torneio Roberto Gomes PedrosaRoberto Gomes Pedrosa Tournament
1967–1970
-
Campeonato NacionalNational Championship
1971–1973
-
Copa BrasilBrazil Cup
1974–1979, 1984, 1986
-
Taça de OuroGolden Cup
1980–1983, 1985
-
Copa BrasilBrazil Cup*
1987–88
-
Copa João HavelangeJoão Havelange Cup
2000
-
Campeonato BrasileiroBrazilian Championship
1989–1999, 2001–

2001: TAM

2002: Visa

2005: Nestlé
2009–2012: Petrobras

2014–2017: Chevrolet

2018–2019: :pt:Assaí Atacadista|Assaí Atacadista

The Brasileirão had total club revenues of US $1.17 billion in 2012. This makes the Brasileirão the highest revenue football league in the Americas, and the highest outside of Europe's "big five."
The Brasileirão is also one of the world's most valuable football leagues, having a marketing value and worth over US $1.24 billion in 2013. The total worth of every club in the 2013 Brasileirão is US $1.07 billion.
The Brasileirão's television rights were worth over US $610 million in 2012; that accounts for over 57% of Latin America as a whole.
Corinthians is the 16th most valuable club in the world in 2013, worth over US $358 million.

Clubs

The following 20 clubs are competing in the Série A during the 2019 season.
ClubPosition
in 2018		First season in
top division		Top
division
titles		Last top
division title
Athletico Paranaense7th195912001
Atlético Mineiro6th195911971
Avaí3rd in Série B19740N/A
Bahia11th195921988
Botafogo9th196221995
Ceará15th19620N/A
Chapecoense14th19780N/A
Corinthians4th196772017
Cruzeirob8th196042014
CSA2nd in Série B19590N/A
Fortaleza1st in Série B19590N/A
Flamengoa, b2nd196462019
Fluminense12th196042012
Grêmio4th195921996
Goiás4th in Série B19730N/A
Internacional3rd196231979
Palmeiras1st1960102018
Santosa, b10th195982004
São Pauloa, b5th196762008
Vasco da Gama16th196042000

a: Unrelegated clubs

b: Clubs that never played outside the top division

All-time Campeonato Brasileiro table (1959–2019)

The All-time Campeonato Brasileiro table is an overall record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in the Brazilian League since its inception in 1959. The table is accurate as of the end of the 2019 season. Teams in bold are part of the 2020 season.
1Internacional122663818188
2Grêmio122633821176
3Palmeiras120614118174
4Corinthians121584617173
5Cruzeiro121564718171
6Atlético Mineiro121583627168
7Flamengo122593231164
8São Paulo121544324163
9Vasco da Gama1214127158750
10Botafogo120444927147

1Flamengo2281127046308
2Vasco da Gama2141016449287
3Atlético Mineiro2091006742281
4São Paulo206986543274
5Grêmio216956556267
6Fluminense2032038761248
7Santos201826752241
8Internacional199776557237
9Corinthians201796557234
10Cruzeiro179676250205

1Palmeiras2351235953368
2Corinthians2351066564329
3Santos235996769320
4São Paulo235986473305
5Atlético Mineiro224906371300
6Vasco da Gama225867069297
7Cruzeiro218865775282
8Flamengo231856482280
9Botafogo225875880276
10Internacional217806275274

1São Paulo3651859585650
2Santos36816292114578
3Cruzeiro36216773122574
4Internacional36216181120564
5Athlético Paranaense36615185130538
6Fluminense368140104124524
7Flamengo36213994129511
8Palmeiras31613478104480
9Grêmio32513277116473
10Corinthians33012685119463

1Corinthians38017011397623
2Grêmio380174100106622
3Flamengo380161111108594
4São Paulo380163101116590
5Santos38016399118588
6Atlético Mineiro38016093127573
7Cruzeiro38015898124572
8Fluminense38015394133553
9Palmeiras34214589108524
10Internacional34214096106516

Media coverage

SeasonPrice
1987–89$3.4 millionGlobo
1990–94not availableGlobo
1994–96$31.4 millionGlobo
1997–2003$50 millionGlobo
2003–05$390 millionGlobo
2005–08$900 millionGlobo
2009–11R$1.9 billionGlobo
2012–15R$2.96 billionGlobo
2016–19R$4.11 billionGlobo

Currently, the money of television represent a significant share in the finances of clubs in Brazil. The league broadcasting rights are total exclusivity of Grupo Globo, which distributes the live matches for its television stations: Rede Globo, SporTV, and the Premiere FC, where subscribers have the privilege to follow all 380 annual league matches. Globo, first cited, displays the League first time in 1987, when was created the Clube dos 13, trading tool of clubs with the television. The first television contract was negotiated in 1987, with only conveying the Green Module of the Copa União, organized by the Clube dos 13, the television rights were sold for $3.4 million to Rede Globo. And only with the conveying of the championship final, SBT broadcast the game instead, a blow to the Rede Globo, who says today that the Green Module would be the league itself, and then was prevented from entering the Ilha do Retiro. In 1990, only Rede Bandeirantes acquired the broadcast rights. This edition marked the first national title of Corinthians, second most popular team in the country. Both the final transmission, as the other games, attracted the attention of the public, causing the network to acquired an Ibope Rating of 53 points in the deciding game. This led to the Rede Globo prioritize the League from the next edition, in 1991.
In 1997, began to be restricted games live in cities where the matches are held. The Clube dos 13 closed the contract with Rede Globo's television rights as the holder of the Brasileirão for $50 million, and resolves itself split the rights with Rede Bandeirantes during this period. It was the first edition to be shown on pay-per-view. In addition, the first games shown on pay television were courtesy of SporTV, after a controversial signing contract of Clube dos 13 with Globosat. Previously, in 1993, the Club of the 13 an CBF had signed a contract with TVA, a company in which ESPN Brazil was part. However, that decision was declined.
In 2000, the broadcasting rights of the Copa João Havelange, organized by the Clube dos 13, were sold to Rede Globo for $50 million. However, the final of this competition in 2001, was marked by an unusual situation. Vasco da Gama, a finalist against São Caetano, graced the logo of SBT, the second largest television station of Brazil, a direct rival to Globo. This situation was somewhat embarrassing for Globo, which transmitted the final exclusively, and which was seen by an estimated audience of 60 million people. Despite the large number of spectators in the final match, this edition was marked by low ratings, what did the Rede Globo to cancel the broadcast of a few matches.
In 2001, Clube dos 13 defines four divisions of transmission quota, with Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Vasco in group 1, Santos in group 2, Fluminense, Botafogo, Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro, Internacional and Grêmio in group 3, and Bahia, Goiás, Sport Recife, Portuguesa, Coritiba, Atlético Paranaense, and Vitória in group 4. In 2003, the value was expanded by a considerable amount, for the first time surpassing the three digits, after the adoption of the new format of accrued points. The contract of $130 million per year was signed again by TV Globo. In 2005, C13 renews with Globo for the 2006–09 period in a deal worth $300 million.
In 2009, for the first time, the sale of broadcasting rights of the Brazilian Championship were made via open bidding. Media organisations were invited to bid for TV packages open, closed, PPV, internet and broadcast abroad. Rede Globo subsequently won the largest TV contract in the history of Brazilian football ;$1.4 billion for 2009–2011.
In the early part of 2011, the majority of Clube dos 13 indicated they would be negotiating the 2012–2014 league rights independently.
In 2012, the final league rights amounts are uncertain. However, I t is known that the clubs were divided into four groups: Group 1: Flamengo and Corinthians receiving 84 to 120 million reals; Group 2: São Paulo, Palmeiras, Santos and Vasco receiving 70 to 80 million reais; Group 3: Gremio, Cruzeiro, Atlético Mineiro, Fluminense and Botafogo ; Group 4: other first division clubs.
In 2013, SporTV made a deal with Fox Sports, giving up the rights of Campeonato Brasileiro in exchange for live coverage of the Copa Libertadores.
In 2016, Bandeirantes ended the partnership with Globo and ceased showing league matches, leaving Globo with exclusive rights. However, the channel of Turner Group, Esporte Interativo made a deal with Atlético-PR, Bahia, Ceará, Coritiba, Internacional, Joinville, Paysandu, Sampaio Corrêa, Santos, Criciúma, Fortaleza, Paraná, Ponte Preta and Santa Cruz for the broadcasting rights on cable television between 2019 and 2024, opposing Globo's SporTV channel. A decision on whether Palmeiras will be joining these teams is awaited.
Flamengo and Corinthians, the two most supported teams in Brazil, receive approximately 25% of all revenue from television. Flamengo has the biggest budget,, and Figueirense the smallest.

Match Ball

Currently, the official match ball is provided by Nike. For the 2019 season, the CBF Merlin match ball is used.

Attendance

The audience of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A is low if put into consideration the popularity of football in the country. Since the first data record, in 1967, each year the average attendance has fluctuated, more down than up, having the season of 1983 as the largest, averaging 22,953, and 2004 as the smallest, with a very low average of 7,556. The league is the second largest in attendance in South America, behind Argentina, with 18,817.
In comparison to other football league attendance, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A figure only in fourteenth position, being overcome by the lower divisions in England and Germany. The smallest attendance ever was a game between Juventude and Portuguesa in 1997 with 55 fans, the largest was Flamengo and Santos in 1983 with 155,523.
The attendance of 2014 season was 16,337 with average occupation of 40%. In this same year, the average price of the ticket was $12.82, taking the games with an average income of $204,799.
The spectator figures for the league since 2009:
SeasonOverallAverageBest supported clubAverageHighest attendance
20096,764,38017,801Flamengo41,55378,639
20105,638,80614,839Corinthians27,44676,205
20115,572,67314,664Corinthians29,32863,871
20124,928,82713,148Corinthians25,22262,207
20135,681,55114,951Cruzeiro28,91163,501
20146,208,19016,337Cruzeiro29,67858,627
20156,376,69317,050Corinthians34,15067,011
20165,975,92615,809Palmeiras32,68454,996
20176,238,79716,418Corinthians40,04350,116
20187,584,44419,959Flamengo50,96562,994
20198,067,66321,230Flamengo55,02565,649

Players

Player records

RankPlayerApps
1Fábio593
2Rogério Ceni575
3Leonardo Moura490
4Paulo Baier429
5Zinho369
6Clemer368
6Ramon368
8Harlei347
9Cléber337
10Roberto Dinamite328

RankPlayerGoals
1Roberto Dinamite190
2Fred 156
3Romário155
4Edmundo153
5Zico135
6Túlio129
7Serginho Chulapa127
8Washington126
9Luis Fabiano117
10Dada Maravilha113

Notes:
is the league's official award. Placar magazine's Bola de Ouro is the oldest award, while the Troféu Osmar Santos and the Troféu João Saldanha are awards given by the newspaper Lance!.