Recopa Catarinense (Brazil) 2026/27

The Recopa Catarinense stands as the opening fixture for the football season in Santa Catarina. Organised by the Federação Catarinense de Futebol, the tournament serves as a state super cup, pitting the champions of the main league against the winners of the domestic knockout cup. The competition was formally added to the official calendar in September 2018, with its inaugural edition taking place in 2019 after a preparatory friendly match earlier that year.

The format is straightforward and decisive: a single match played in January, which traditionally marks the start of the calendar year for the confederation. If the game ends in a draw, the victor is determined by penalty kicks. The venue is selected by the governing body and may be a neutral ground or one of the participating clubs' stadiums. The winner receives the "Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo" trophy.

In its eight editions up to 2026, the title has been shared among several sides. Figueirense, Brusque, and Criciúma have each claimed the prize twice. The inaugural final saw Figueirense defeat Brusque, while subsequent years produced victories for Joinville and Brusque. Criciúma secured back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 before Avaí claimed the most recent edition in March 2026. Avaí arrived at the final as the league champion, having beaten Figueirense, who qualified as the cup winner.

The tournament sits at the top of the regional pyramid, acting as a high-stakes conclusion to the previous year’s campaigns. While the Campeonato Catarinense features twelve teams progressing through group stages and knockout rounds, the Recopa offers an immediate resolution to the rivalry between the season's top performers. The competition provides a curtain-raiser for the new campaign, focusing on a single decisive encounter rather than a prolonged series of fixtures.