The Série C of the Campeonato Brasileiro kicked off on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with a highly anticipated match between Figueirense and Ponte Preta at the Orlando Scarpelli Stadium in Florianópolis. This season marks the 35th edition of the tournament, featuring 20 clubs vying for four coveted spots in Série B for 2026.
In this year's competition, the Northeast region continues to dominate, boasting eight representatives, while the South has six teams, the Southeast has five, and the Midwest has only one. Notably, this edition is the first without any clubs from the North region, following Remo's promotion to Série B.
The format of the Série C involves a single round-robin in the first phase, where each team plays 19 matches. The top eight teams will advance to the second phase, while the four lowest-ranked teams will be relegated to Série D. In the second phase, the eight qualifying teams will be split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group earning promotion to Série B. The group leaders will then compete in a final to determine the champion of Série C.
This season also features a historic matchup: Guarani and Ponte Preta, both relegated from Série B in 2024, will face each other in the Campinas derby for the first time in Série C history. The derby, known as one of the oldest rivalries in Brazilian football, adds an exciting narrative to an already competitive league.
Figueirense entered the match against Ponte Preta with a strong squad and a payroll of approximately R$ 750,000, the largest investment the club has made in five years. The team has bolstered its roster with 18 new signings, including experienced players such as Kayke, the top scorer of Série C 2024, and goalkeeper Fabrício, who previously played in Série A with Internacional.
On the other side, Ponte Preta returns to Série C after a 35-year absence, looking to make an immediate impact. The team, under the guidance of coach Alberto Valentim, has maintained a solid core from their Paulistão campaign, where they finished fourth overall but fell short of the quarterfinals.
As the match began, Figueirense's coach Thiago Carvalho faced challenges with some players not fully fit, including Gabriel Santiago, who was still in physical transition. Meanwhile, Ponte Preta was set to feature new signing Wanderson in their starting lineup, although Emerson and Jeh were confirmed absences.
The excitement surrounding the Série C extends beyond just the matches; it also includes significant broadcasting agreements. Band has partnered with Trinta Sports to air at least one game per round, focusing on the interior of São Paulo and the Northeast, where the league has a passionate following. The first match aired was the Figueirense versus Ponte Preta clash, showcasing the commitment to regionalize programming and highlight clubs from the interior of Brazil.
Rodolpho Neves, executive director of Band Campinas, expressed enthusiasm about the new broadcasting deal, stating, "Having this championship reinforces Band's commitment to regionalize its programming and speak to all accents. The games of Série C will now be highlighted, giving the great clubs from Brazil's interior the attention they deserve."
For this inaugural weekend, another match featured Retrô facing Tombense, with a security detail of 175 agents deployed at the Arena de Pernambuco to ensure a safe environment for fans. The police operation, coordinated by the 20th Battalion of the PM, included coverage of both the internal and external areas of the stadium, as well as major access routes.
As the first round of the Série C unfolds, clubs are eager to establish their presence and aim for promotion. For teams like ABC, which has faced early eliminations in several competitions this season, the pressure to succeed is mounting. The club's coach, Evaristo Piza, is working hard to turn around the team's fortunes after disappointing exits from the Copa do Brasil and the state championship.
Meanwhile, Anápolis, which finished as runner-up in the Goiano championship, is optimistic about its debut in this format of Série C. Coach Ângelo Luiz, who has been with the club since its promotion, is focused on building a solid campaign despite losing some key players post-state championship.
Botafogo-PB, another team with a storied history in the division, is looking to capitalize on its experience, having participated in Série C more times than any other club since the competition expanded to 20 teams in 2014. With 12 participations, the team is eager to secure a promotion that has eluded them since 2014.
As the season progresses, fans can expect thrilling matches, fierce rivalries, and the potential for surprising upsets. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Série C of the Campeonato Brasileiro promises to deliver an exciting journey for teams and supporters alike. The final is scheduled for October 26, 2025, and all eyes will be on which clubs can rise to the challenge and secure their place in the next tier of Brazilian football.
