If you’re a fan of a Serie A team, Serie C might seem a long way off. But the truth is that several clubs that are currently part of the day-to-day life of the biggest clubs in Brazil came through the Série C and managed, in a few years, to climb up to the Série A, among them Atlético Goianiense and Goiás. This is one of the reasons why you should get to know all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C.
We’re talking about a super balanced competition, with teams from different regions of the country and with a thirst for victory;
The dream of progressing to Serie B and reaching Serie A is the driving force behind exciting and challenging matches;
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All about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C: what is this?
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série C is the third division of professional soccer in Brazil. Organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the tournament is an important platform for clubs from different regions of the country looking to rise to higher divisions, reaching the elite, consolidating their bases and revealing new talent.
History of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
Serie C was established in 1981, but took on a regular format in 1988. Initially, the championship had a variable number of teams and a format that changed frequently;
It wasn’t until 2009 that the competition adopted a more structured format, with clearly defined rules and a more consistent competition system, which we’ll look at in more detail below.
Nowadays, the Série C has become a competition of great relevance, serving as a bridge for aspiring clubs looking to reach the Brazilian Série B Championship and, eventually, the Série A.
Brazilian Championship Series C rules
Like the Série A and Série B tournaments, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C has 20 teams.
However, unlike the top two series, which take place using the straight points format, the tournament has a unique format, which you need to know in order to understand all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C.
In the first phase of Série C, the 20 clubs play a single round, facing each other over 19 rounds.
The eight best teams advance to the second phase, where they are divided into two groups of four teams each;
Each group plays round-robin matches, and the two best-placed teams in each group guarantee promotion to Serie B in 2025;
The leaders of each group face each other in the final, which will be decided in two return matches to determine the season’s champion.
Scoring rules
Following the rules of football, in the main leagues in Brazil and the world, in Serie C, the position is as follows:
- Vitória: 3 pontos
- Empate: 1 ponto
- Derrota: 0 pontos
Tie-breaker
Another important aspect to understand about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C is the tiebreaker criteria in the event of a draw in the overall score. In this case, in order to determine who progresses to the next stages, it is necessary to evaluate the comparison:
- Número de vitórias
- Saldo de gols
- Gols marcados
- Confronto direto
- Menor número de cartões vermelhos
- Menor número de cartões amarelos
- Sorteio
Relegation and ascension
In the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, the relegation and promotion scheme works as follows:
- Direct Promotion: The top two finishers in each group in the second phase automatically guarantee promotion to the following year’s Serie B.
- Relegation: The last four finishers in the first phase of Serie C are relegated to Serie D of the Brazilian Championship.
How does the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C work?
The competition begins with the group stage, where the teams play 19 matches each. The four best teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played in back-to-back matches.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals are guaranteed a place in Serie B the following year.
Biggest Champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
Some of the clubs that have excelled in Serie C over the years are:
- Vila Nova: Won in 1996, 2015 and 2020
- Atlético Goianiense: Champions in 1990 and 2008.
- Ituano: Champions in 2003 and 2021.
Sampaio Corrêa, on the other hand, have only won one edition, but they did so undefeated in 1997. The team is also a regular in the finals, with two runner-up finishes to their name.
In all, there are ten titles for teams from São Paulo, three for teams from the state of Rio de Janeiro and two for Minas Gerais;
Curiosities about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
To understand all about the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, there’s no better way than knowing some of the tournament’s historical averages. Read on and find out some of the figures that make the third division so exciting.
Highest average goals per game
- Atlétic (MG) – 1.64 goals per game (23 goals in 14 games)
- CSA, Sampaio Corrêa and Remo – 1.60 goals per game (32 goals in 20 matches)
- Confiança – 1.46 goals per game (22 goals in 15 games)Tombense – 1.45 goals per game (16 goals in 11 matches)
- Tombense – 1,45 gol por jogo (16 gols em 11 partidas)
Worst average goals per game
- Ypiranga-RS – 0,76 gol por jogo (10 gols em 13 partidas)
- São José-RS – 0,91 gol por jogo (11 gols em 12 partidas)
- Ferroviária-SP – 0,94 gol por jogo (16 gols em 17 partidas)
- Náutico – 0,95 gol por jogo (22 gols em 23 partidas)
Lowest average goals conceded per game
- Botafogo-PB – 0,62 gol por jogo (15 gols sofridos em 24 partidas)
- Ferroviária-SP – 0,64 gol por jogo (11 gols sofridos em 17 partidas)
- São Bernardo – 0,78 gol por jogo (11 gols sofridos em 14 partidas) e Náutico – 0,78 gol por jogo (18 gols sofridos em 23 partidas)
Highest average goals conceded per game
- Volta Redonda – 1.66 goals per game (20 goals conceded in 12 matches)Londrina – 1.53 goals per game (20 goals conceded in 13 matches)Caxias – 1.31 goals per game (21 goals conceded in 16 matches)
- Londrina – 1,53 gol por jogo (20 gols sofridos em 13 partidas)
- Caxias – 1,31 gol por jogo (21 gols sofridos em 16 partidas)
Also read: How to bet on soccer at Betano: tips, competitions, odds and more
What is the prize money for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C?
According to the CBF, in 2024 the teams in Serie C of the Brazilian Championship will receive a record award. The organization will distribute R$ 26.5 million to the clubs between prizes and quotas. The amount is 47% higher than in 2023;
The CBF also announced that it will invest around R$ 45 million in organizing the competition, including the cost of transport, accommodation, food, refereeing and doping costs, among other expenses for the matches.
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série C is a competition full of excitement, challenges and opportunities. Since its inception, it has played a crucial role in the development of Brazilian soccer, providing a platform for clubs and players to excel. With a well-defined format, clear rules and a rich history of champions and records, the Série C remains a vital part of Brazil’s soccer scene.
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