The Paulistão 2026 will have an unprecedented format, inspired by… UEFA Champions League. The change was officially made by Sao Paulo Football Federation (FPF) during Technical Council It was held on the night of this Tuesday, the 11th of this month, at exactly 1:00 p.m Mercado Liver Arena PacaembuIts main objective is to adapt the calendar following the deadlines set by the state Brazilian Football Confederation.
With the new model, the 16 participating clubs were divided into four pots. In the first stage, teams face each other inside the pot and also play against five outside opponents, decided by a draw.
During the explanation, the Union also made sure that all the classics, such as Corinthians x Palmeiras, were Sao Paulo S Santos And even the Derby Campinero, played between Guarani and Ponte Preta.
Paulisto 2026 is coming!
Check out each team’s opponents!#Paulistao2026 pic.twitter.com/Qz7QKJzLxH
-Paulistaw (@paulistaw) November 12, 2025
Each team will play eight matches in the preliminary stage, and the eight best-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals, which, like the semi-finals, will be played in single matches. Whether the 2026 Paulistão tournament will be two-legged or single-leg matches has yet to be decided. It will depend on the final classification of the Sao Paulo team for the preliminary stage of the tournament Copa Libertadores Or negotiate with CBF.
The Federation confirmed that the new format seeks to increase competitiveness, ensure major confrontations, and reduce the total number of tournament dates, in a way that meets the requests of the clubs and the Brazilian Federation.
FPF: Check out the Big Four duels
- Saints: Palmeiras, São Paulo, Corinthians, RB Bragantino, Novorizontino, Filo Club, Guarani and Norosti
- Palm trees: Santos, Sao Paulo, Corinthians, Novorizontino, Mirasol, Guarani, Portuguesa and Botafogo SP
- Sao Paulo: Santos, Palmeiras, Corinthians, Mirasol, Sao Bernardo, Portuguese, Ponte Preta and Primavera
- Corinth: Santos, Palmeiras, Sao Paulo, RB Bragantino, Sao Bernardo, Velo Club, Ponte Preta and Capifariano
The Popular Liberation Front will release the order of clashes and the full schedule in the coming days.
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