The Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, also known as the third division of national soccer, is the scene of intense competition and stories of overcoming obstacles. Since its creation, the tournament has been the platform for smaller clubs to show their worth and earn a place in the sun in Brazilian soccer. After all, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C champions have the chance to compete in the Série B and seek access to the elite of national soccer.
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Biggest Campeonato Brasileiro Serie C champions
The biggest winners of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C are Vila Nova, who have lifted the trophy three times, in 1996, 2015 and 2020. Atlético-GO have won twice, in 1990 and 2008, and Ituano in 2003 and 2021.
Vila Nova (GO) have also won the league three times, with a 3rd place in 2007 and a 4th place in 2013.
A few years ago, the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie C champions won the opportunity to compete in the following year’s Série B.
According to the rules, the top two teams in each group in the second phase of the tournament are automatically guaranteed promotion. The four worst-placed teams in the championship are relegated to Serie D.
In 2023, the four teams that achieved promotion to the Série B of the Brazilian Championship were: Brusque, São Bernardo, Amazonas and Paysandu.
Relegation and promotion format for the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie C champions
This format for relegating and promoting teams from the Série C began in 2006, when the Série B began to be played on a straight points basis.
With this change, each season four teams are relegated from Série B to Série C, while another four clubs rise from the third to the second division.
This means that 12 teams remain in Serie C; four come through relegation from the previous year’s Serie B and another four come through access from Serie D.
Teams with the most appearances in Serie C
Below are the clubs that have played the most in the Brazilian Championship’s Série C (from 1981 to 2024).
| Clubs | Participation |
| Confiança | 22 |
| Botafogo-PB | 20 |
| Caxias | 17 |
| Ferroviário | |
| Tupi | 16 |
| Volta Redonda |
List of all Campeonato Brasileiro Série C champions by year
Here’s a list of all the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C champions by year, from its first edition in 1981 until 2023.
| YEAR | TEAM |
| 1981 | Olaria |
| 1982 | There was no dispute |
| 1983 | There was no dispute |
| 1984 | There was no dispute |
| 1985 | There was no dispute |
| 1986 | There was no dispute |
| 1987 | There was no dispute |
| 1988 | União São João |
| 1989 | There was no dispute |
| 1990 | Atlético-GO |
| 1991 | There was no dispute |
| 1992 | Tuna Luso |
| 1993 | There was no dispute |
| 1994 | GE Novorizontino |
| 1995 | XV de Piracicaba |
| 1996 | Vila Nova |
| 1997 | Sampaio Corrêa |
| 1998 | Avaí |
| 1999 | Fluminense |
| 2000 | There was no dispute |
| 2001 | Paulista |
| 2002 | Brasiliense |
| 2003 | Ituano |
| 2004 | União Barbarense |
| 2005 | Remo |
| 2006 | Criciúma |
| 2007 | Bragantino |
| 2008 | Atlético-GO |
| 2009 | América-MG |
| 2010 | ABC |
| 2011 | Joinville |
| 2012 | Oeste |
| 2013 | Santa Cruz |
| 2014 | Macaé |
| 2015 | Vila Nova |
| 2016 | Boa Esporte |
| 2017 | CSA |
| 2018 | Operário-PR |
| 2019 | Náutico |
| 2020 | Vila Nova |
| 2021 | Ituano |
| 2022 | Mirassol |
| 2023 | Amazonas |
To date, 29 clubs from 13 different federations have won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, while another eight states have had representatives in the top four at least once.
In terms of municipalities, Goiânia leads the way with five trophies, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Belém, Recife and Itu, each with two titles.
Now that you know who the champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C are, you’re ready to follow the tournament with more background on its history.
As we said above, the top four finishers in 2023 are in Serie B, but another four teams made it to Serie D:
- Athletic Club
- Caxias
- Ferroviária-SP
- Ferroviário-CE
In addition, four other teams were relegated from Serie B:
- ABC
- Londrina
- Tombense
- Sampaio Corrêa
Read also: List of all 34 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B champions [by year]
2024 Série C teams
The following clubs are currently in the running to be crowned champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C:
- Aparecidense
- Botafogo-PB
- Confiança
- CSA
- Figueirense
- Floresta
- Náutico
- Remo
- São Bernardo
- São José-RS
- Volta Redonda
- Ypiranga-RS
- Athletic Club
- Caxias
- Ferroviária-SP
- Ferroviário-CE
- ABC
- Londrina
- Tombense
- Sampaio Corrêa
So, will we have a new champion of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, or will some team repeat the feat from years ago? What’s your guess?
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