Campeonato Sul-Mato-Grossense

The Football championship of Mato Grosso do Sul, also known as Campeonato Sul-Mato-Grossense, is the top soccer division for the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The championship has been held since 1979, when Mato Grosso do Sul became a state. Curiously, the Mato Grosso do Sul Football Federation (FFMS) was created before Mato Grosso do Sul became a state. The FFMS and the Brazilian Football Confederation sanction the tournament.

The competition sees ten teams battling from January to April for the title. The ten teams in the league are drawn into two groups of five, where they will be playing eight matches during the regular season (two against each rival). The top four in each group reach the finals, while the 5th-ranked team gets relegated to Serie B.

The next stage sees all eight teams paired up in Quarterfinal ties, with the top team in each group facing the fourth from the other lot. Meanwhile, those ranked second face those who finished third in the other groups. Home and away games are played to determine those who reach the next round until the final, where the team with the better record in the regular season gets home-field advantage for the decisive game. The winner of the competition is granted a spot in Serie D of the Brazilian championship, and as a bonus, both finalists are included in the subsequent year’s Copa do Brasil.

There have been many dominant teams in this competition, but one that has stood out is Operario, the only team in this league to win more than ten titles. Their success has not been consistent over the years, as they have only won the championship three times in the 21st century.