CBF starts work with clubs on new Serie A and B regulations

The Brazilian Football Confederation is launching an unprecedented process of collectively building the new Regulations for the Brazilian Championship Series A and B, with a view to the 2027 season. Throughout the second half of 2026, clubs from both divisions will take part in a series of meetings dedicated to debating and deciding, topic by topic, the rules of the country's main competition.

The initiative continues the dialogue opened in April, in Rio de Janeiro, when the CBF and the clubs from Series A and B began discussing the creation of the Brazilian Football League. On that occasion, the priority areas for strengthening Brazilian football were identified — including the calendar, playing time, stadiums, broadcasting, clubs' financial sustainability, and regulation governance. Improving the regulations is part of the structural foundations that lay the groundwork for stronger football and a possible league model.

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The work will be organized into five monthly meetings, from August to December 2026, each dedicated to a thematic block: the first meeting, scheduled for August 10, will be devoted to refereeing. Meetings are also planned for September 14, to discuss competition organization; October 13, to address licensing and infrastructure; November 9, on match operations; and December 7, when governance, oversight, and integrity will be discussed.

The series of meetings aims to promote qualified debate on issues relevant to the competition and gather contributions to improve the Competition-Specific Regulations for the 2027 season.

Samir Xaud, CBF president: "Brazilian football needs to be built through dialogue and participation"Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

The drafting of the new regulations incorporates international references studied by the CBF during technical immersion visits carried out in Europe and during the 2026 World Cup, when the organization's executives became familiar with governance and management models used by leagues and federations in England, Germany, Spain, and the United States. Brazil's top division ranks among the most valuable leagues in the world, and the goal is to bring its regulatory structure closer to global best practices.

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The competition's rules will be developed jointly with predictability, transparency, and technical quality, establishing clear standards for competitive integrity, licensing, and sustainability — essential foundations for enhancing the product and strengthening Brazilian football.

For CBF president Samir Xaud, the joint development of the regulations represents another step in changing the culture of the relationship between the organization and the clubs.

"Brazilian football needs to be built through dialogue and participation. Our administration understands that it makes no sense for important decisions to be made without listening to those who compete in the tournaments. Our way of working is for the CBF to invite the clubs to help build modern regulations aligned with the needs of our football. Regulations built collectively strengthen the competitions," said Xaud.

CBF executive director Helder Mellilo highlighted that the initiative represents progress in the governance of national competitions.

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"This is a decisive step for Brazilian football. Together with the clubs, we are building regulations worthy of our competition — with clear, predictable rules aligned with international best practices. Decisions about the championship belong to the clubs, and it is through dialogue, responsibility, and technical quality that we will protect and enhance our product," added Melillo.

The CBF will publish updates on the progress of the deliberations at each stage. The new Series A and B Regulations will come into force in the 2027 season.

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