Maranhense (Brazil) 2026/27

Campeonato Maranhense is the premier professional football league in the Brazilian state of Maranhão. Organized by the Federação Maranhense de Futebol (FMF), it occupies the top tier of the national pyramid. The competition traces its origins to 1918, when it was founded as the Liga Maranhense de Sports, making it the oldest state championship in this part of Brazil. For decades, the league underwent several administrative name changes, including periods under AMEA and FMD, before settling on the FMF in 1994.

The current structure features eight teams in Série A. The regular season follows a single group format with a double round-robin system, spanning 14 rounds. After the league phase concludes, the top four teams progress to a knockout stage. This elimination period consists of two-legged semifinals leading to a two-legged final. The side with the strongest record during the regular season is awarded the Taça Cidade de São Luís. At the end of the campaign, the bottom-placed team is relegated to Série B, while the Série B champion gains direct promotion.

Historically, success has been concentrated among clubs based in the capital, São Luís. Sampaio Corrêa holds the record with 37 titles, followed by Moto Club with 26, and Maranhão with 16. While the capital’s dominance is well established, notable exceptions exist. In 1996, Bacabal became the first interior team to win the title, breaking the monopoly held by the capital’s clubs. Imperatriz followed a similar path in 2005. Beyond the league itself, the Copa FMF serves as a crucial qualifier for the national Copa do Brasil and Série D, adding another layer to the state’s football calendar.