The Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, the fourth division of national soccer, is a competition based on the essence of passion and diversity in Brazilian soccer. Created to give visibility and opportunities to lesser-known clubs from all regions of the country, the Série D is a veritable breeding ground for talent and a stage for exciting stories of overcoming and achievement. In this article, we’ll explore all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, from its history and rules to the greatest champions, records and curiosities. Get ready for a complete journey through the fascinating universe of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie D.
Read on and find out more about this very important tournament for the national scene.
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All about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D: what is it?
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série D is the fourth division of national soccer, created to increase access to national competitions for clubs from all regions of Brazil. This league provides an opportunity for emerging and lesser-known teams to compete at a national level, seeking promotion to the higher divisions.
History of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série D was created by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in 2009 as part of a reformulation of the national competition system.
The creation of the Série D was motivated by the need to offer a structured pathway for clubs that did not have access to the higher divisions, promoting a broader integration of Brazilian soccer.
In the first edition, 39 clubs took part, with São Raimundo-PA becoming the first champions.
Since then, the Série D has grown in importance, becoming a crucial stepping stone for smaller clubs to aspire to higher levels on the national stage.
Rules of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D
To understand all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, it’s essential to master some of its rules, including those relating to the access and relegation of teams.
But first, let’s take a look at the general rules of the tournament, such as the format and scoring.
Remember that the matches follow the standards established by the CBF, with some specificities due to the nature of the competition.
How the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D works
Following the guide with all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, the tournament is divided into group and knockout stages. In the initial phase, the clubs are grouped regionally to minimize travel costs. In the first phase, the 64 clubs are divided into eight groups of eight participants.
In each group, the top four qualify for the second phase of the tournament, which will have a total of 32 teams.
In this second phase, the format is classic knockout and the 16 winners advance to the round of 16 and quarterfinals.
The winners of the quarter-finals are the four clubs that go on to the semi-finals and gain access to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C.
How does a team get into Serie D?
Serie D is the last division of the Brazilian Championship, so it’s common to have doubts about how a team enters the competition.
First of all, it’s important to say that the four worst-placed teams in Serie C are relegated to Serie D.
However, in addition to this path, for a team to enter the 4th division of the Brazilian Championship, it must follow a specific qualification process, which mainly involves performance in the state championships and other criteria defined by the CBF.
So that you can understand all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D , here are some rules for a club to enter the tournament.
1. Performance in state championships
The main route to Serie D is performance in the state championships.
Each state soccer federation is allocated a specific number of places for Serie D, which are usually for the best-placed teams in the state championship who are not guaranteed a place in the higher divisions (Serie A, B or C).
Read also: All about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: rules and how does it work?
2. National ranking of clubs
In addition to the places guaranteed by the state championships, the CBF uses the National Ranking of Clubs to distribute additional places in Serie D.
Clubs with a good position in the ranking who have not qualified directly through the state championships can be invited to take part.
3. Additional criteria and invitations
In some situations, the CBF may allocate additional places to clubs that have shown a good performance in previous competitions or are from less represented regions, thus ensuring a more even distribution of teams from all parts of Brazil.
4. Moving up a division
As we mentioned above, by presenting all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, the four teams that reach the semi-finals of Série D earn the right to play in Série C the following year. This creates a continuous cycle of ascension and renewal between the divisions.
Curiosities about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D
Major champions of the Brazilian Série D Championship
Ferroviário is the biggest winner of the Série D, with two titles. In addition, over the years several clubs have stood out, winning the title and succeeding in ascending to the higher divisions. Among the greatest champions are:
- Botafogo-SP: champions in 2015, Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto showed their strength and tradition on the national stage.
- São Caetano: in 2019, the São Paulo club, which has already had moments of glory in Serie A, won Serie D, marking its recovery.
- Brusque: champions in 2019, the Santa Catarina club consolidated its position as an emerging force in Brazilian soccer.
Another well-known team in the elite of Brazilian soccer is Atlético-GO, who have already won Serie D and in recent years have been competing in Serie A alongside the best teams in Brazil.
Read also: Champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C: who are the biggest winners + complete list
What is the prize money for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D?
In 2024, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) made a record investment in the competition, offering R$35 million in prizes to the teams. In the first phase of the tournament alone, all the clubs will receive R$400,000 for their participation, and the finalists will win R$1.2 million.
See below the amounts distributed:
- First stage (participation fee): R$400,000 (64 clubs);
- Second stage: + R$150,000 (32 clubs);
- Round of 16: + R$150,000 (16 clubs);
- Quarter-finals (Serie C access match): + R$150,000 (4 clubs);
- Semi-finals: + R$150,000 (4 clubs);
- Final: + R$200,000 (2 clubs).
As we’ve seen throughout this article with everything about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, the awards of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D involve not only trophies and medals, but also financial incentives and, of course, access to the Série C.
In view of this, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, although it is the last division of national soccer, plays a fundamental role in the structure of Brazilian soccer, promoting inclusion, competitiveness and opportunities for clubs and players from all over the country.
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