The countdown has begun for football fans across São Paulo as the Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) unveiled the complete schedule for the 2025 Campeonato Paulista, which kicks off on January 15, 2025. This year, 16 teams will battle for the prestigious title, including fan favorites like Palmeiras, Corinthians, Santos, and São Paulo.
The opening match will see Novorizontino face off against Ponte Preta on January 15 at 18:30 at the Estádio Doutor Jorge Ismael de Biasi. That same evening, reigning champions Palmeiras will begin their title defense at home, taking on Portuguesa at 21:35.
According to the official announcement by the FPF, the first round will consist of multiple matches across two days, concluding on February 10 with São Paulo meeting Inter de Limeira, as the Tricolor will have delayed their start due to pre-season commitments abroad.
The tournament will employ the same format as previous seasons, with teams divided across four groups:
- Group A: Corinthians, Inter de Limeira, Botafogo-SP, Mirassol
- Group B: Santos, Portuguesa, Guarani, Red Bull Bragantino
- Group C: São Paulo, Água Santa, Noroeste, Novorizontino
- Group D: Palmeiras, Ponte Preta, Velo Clube, São Bernardo
Each team's goal will be to finish as one of the top two from their group after 12 rounds of matches, which will allow them to advance to the knockout phase. The quarterfinals are set to be held on March 1, followed by the semifinals on March 9. The final matches will take place on March 16 and 27, with two games determining the overall champion.
This season promises to be exciting, especially with the historic rivalries at play. On January 26, fans will look forward to the first derby of the year as Corinthians will take on São Paulo at the Morumbi Stadium. The anticipation is building for both classic confrontations and the thrilling matches yet to come.
For those eager to catch the action live, the matches will be broadcast on multiple platforms, including TV Record, TNT Sports, and Max. Fans can also watch through online streaming services like CazéTV.
Among the notable matches, Palmeiras will face off against long-time opponent Santos on February 16, which is expected to bring heightened excitement for the supporters.
Participation from each club's management has been evident; adjustments were made to accommodate pre-season schedules. São Paulo, for example, requested their first match to be rescheduled due to their international commitments.
The tournament's structure, beloved by many fans, maintains the tradition of the Campeonato Paulista, with its blend of historical and contemporary significance within Brazilian football. With teams aiming to secure their place not only for glory but also for financial and regional pride, the 2025 season is shaping up to draw immense attention.
Overall, the anticipation for the Campeonato Paulista of 2025 is palpable, and fans are already marking their calendars for the key dates. A blend of strategy, passion, and history ensures this season will be one for the books.