League system
State championships are organised by the respective football federations of each state. They run from late January to May.
National championships are organised by the Brazilian FA (CBF). The Brazilian Serie A consists of 20 teams — the top six qualify for the Copa Libertadores (with the top four teams directly entering the group stage) and the bottom four are relegated into Serie B. The season runs from May to December.
Wins by club: Palmeiras (9), Santos (8), São Paulo (6), Corinthians (6), Flamengo (5), Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense (4), Internacional (3), Botafogo, Grêmio and Bahia (2), Atlético Mineiro, Guarani, Atlético Paranaense, Sport and Coritiba (1).
The Brazilian Cup is a knockout competition played by 86 teams. The winner qualifies for the next year's Copa Libertadores. Nowadays it runs from March to November.
Wins by club: Grêmio (5), Cruzeiro (5), Flamengo, Corinthians and Palmeiras (3), Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Santos, Atlético Mineiro, Internacional, Sport, Criciúma, Juventude, Paulista, Santo André (1).
Standings (2018)
As of 13th April.
'
Fanbase
1) Flamengo 16.5%
2) Corinthians 13.6%
3) São Paulo 7.9%
4) Palmeiras 5.6%
5) Vasco 4.5%
6) Cruzeiro 4%
7) Grêmio 3.3%
8) Santos 3.2%
9) Atlético Mineiro 2.8%
10) Internacional 2.6%
11) Bahia 1.8%
12) Fluminense 1.6%
13) Sport 1.5%
Defending Champions
Last year Corinthians clinched their seventh Brazilian and Cruzeiro won the Brazilian Cup for record-tying fifth time.
Broadcasters
BT Sport (UK and Ireland)
Sportitalia (Italy)
Movistar Fútbol (Spain)
SIC Radical (Portugal)
GOL TV (The Americas)
beIN Sports (North Africa, Middle East and Oceania)