How the 2025 Copa do Brasil Draw Works: A Complete Guide
The Copa do Brasil 2025, officially named the Copa Betano do Brasil, marks the 37th edition of the football tournament organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Featuring 92 clubs vying for the trophy, a record-breaking prize of approximately R$77,175,000, and a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, the competition is one of the most anticipated events in Brazilian football. But how does the draw that determines the matchups work? In this article, we provide a detailed explanation of the 2025 Copa do Brasil draw, including pots, criteria, phases, and dates. Check out the complete 2025 Copa do Brasil table for more details and bookmark this page for updates!
What is the 2025 Copa do Brasil?
The 2025 Copa do Brasil began on February 18 and will conclude on November 9, featuring 92 clubs from all 27 Brazilian state federations. The tournament follows a knockout format, with 80 clubs competing in the first phase and 12 entering directly in the third phase (e.g., Botafogo, Flamengo, Palmeiras). Known for its surprises, such as Retrô-PE’s 1–1 draw against Fortaleza in the third phase, and its substantial prize money (e.g., R$3,638,250 for the round of 16 and R$4,740,750 for the quarterfinals), the draw is a critical element in shaping the matchups.
How Does the 2025 Copa do Brasil Draw Work?
The 2025 Copa do Brasil draw is conducted by the CBF in multiple stages, with specific rules for each phase. Below, we outline how the draw operates for each stage, based on the official regulations and the calendar released on December 5, 2024.
First and Second Phases: Draw with Pots
The first two phases involve 80 clubs, divided into eight pots (A to H) with ten teams each, based on the CBF National Club Ranking (RNC). The pots are organized by ranking, with the highest-ranked teams in pots A to D and the lower-ranked teams in pots E to H. The draw, held on February 7, 2025, at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, determines matchups with the following pairings:
- Pot A vs. Pot E
- Pot B vs. Pot F
- Pot C vs. Pot G
- Pot D vs. Pot H
First Phase Rules: Matches are single-leg, hosted by the lower-ranked team. In case of a draw, the tie is decided by penalties, a change from previous editions where the higher-ranked team advanced on a draw. Examples of pots include:
| Pot | Example Teams |
|---|---|
| Pot A | Atlético-MG, Athletico-PR, Fluminense, Grêmio |
| Pot E | Sousa, Tocantinópolis, Maringá, Águia de Marabá |
| Pot B | Ceará, Vitória, Coritiba, Sport |
| Pot F | Humaitá, Trem, Inter de Limeira, Maranhão |
Source: CBF, February 7, 2025.
Second Phase: The 40 teams advancing from the first phase play single-leg matches, with the home team determined by the initial draw’s bracketing. Ties are resolved by penalties. The February 7 draw also sets the second-phase matchups, ensuring predictable pairings.
Third Phase: Entry of Giants and New Draw
In the third phase, the 20 teams advancing from the second phase are joined by 12 clubs entering directly, including the 2025 Libertadores participants (Botafogo, Palmeiras, Flamengo, São Paulo, Internacional, Fortaleza, Bahia, Corinthians), the Série B champion (Santos), the Copa Verde champion (Paysandu), the Copa do Nordeste runner-up (CRB), and Cruzeiro (via Série A). The draw, held on April 9, 2025, divides the 32 clubs into two pots:
- Pot 1: The 16 highest-ranked teams (e.g., Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense).
- Pot 2: The 16 lower-ranked teams (e.g., Retrô-PE, Aparecidense).
Matchups are determined by drawing Pot 1 against Pot 2, with home and away legs also decided by the draw, ensuring teams from the same city do not play on the same day for security reasons. Matches are played over two legs (April 30 and May 21–22), with penalties deciding ties in case of an equal aggregate score. Examples include Palmeiras 3–0 Ceará and Fortaleza 1–1 Retrô-PE.
Round of 16: Unrestricted Draw
The round of 16, scheduled for July 29–31 and August 5–7, features the 16 teams advancing from the third phase, such as Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense, Atlético-MG, Bahia, and surprises like Retrô-PE and CSA. The draw, held on June 2, 2025, at 3:30 PM at CBF headquarters, places all teams in a single pot with no matchup restrictions, allowing for state derbies (e.g., Corinthians vs. São Paulo). Home and away legs are determined by the draw, with matches played over two legs and penalties resolving ties in case of an equal aggregate score.
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final
For the quarterfinals (August) and semifinals (October), new draws are conducted by the CBF, using a single pot with no restrictions, determining matchups and home/away legs. The finals, set for November 2 and 9, 2025, have only the home/away legs decided by a draw, with matches played over two legs and penalties settling ties. The champion earns a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores and the 2026 Supercopa Rei.
2025 Copa do Brasil Draw and Phase Calendar
To help you stay on track, here’s the calendar for the draws and phases of the 2025 Copa do Brasil:
| Phase | Draw Date | Match Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Phase | February 7, 2025 | February 22 and 29 |
| Second Phase | February 7, 2025 (bracketing) | March |
| Third Phase | April 9, 2025 | April 30 and May 21–22 |
| Round of 16 | June 2, 2025 | July 29–31 and August 5–7 |
| Quarterfinals | TBD | August |
| Semifinals | TBD | October |
| Final | TBD (home/away legs) | November 2 and 9 |
Source: CBF, December 5, 2024.
Why the Draw Matters
The draw shapes each team’s path to the title, influencing strategies and expectations. Powerhouses like Flamengo, the reigning champion, and Palmeiras, with four titles, may face underdogs like Retrô-PE or CSA, as seen in the third phase. The lack of restrictions in the round of 16 increases the likelihood of high-stakes derbies, such as Flamengo vs. Fluminense, heightening excitement for fans.
How to Follow the Draws and Matches
Draws are broadcast live on SporTV, CBF TV (YouTube), and covered in real-time by sites like ge.globo.com. To follow matches and results, check:
- The complete 2025 Copa do Brasil table.
- The list of top players, such as Estevão and Ganso.
- The official CBF website.
- Globo, SporTV, and Premiere for live broadcasts.
Stay Tuned!
The 2025 Copa do Brasil draw is the first step in defining the matchups that could shape the tournament’s outcome. Revisit this page for updates after each draw and share it on social media. Who do you think will face the toughest path? Leave your predictions in the comments and cheer for your team!
