The 2026 Paulistão season is set to deliver an unprecedented run of rivalry matches, as a new tournament format guarantees frequent clashes between São Paulo‘s biggest clubs. A shift to a Champions League-style structure,with 12 matchdays and teams grouped by qualifying pot,means fans can expect heightened drama and intensity throughout the first phase of the competition. The schedule features key matchups like Corinthians vs. São Paulo and the Campineiro derby between Guarani and ponte Preta, promising a thrilling start to the state championship.
The sixth round will be the only one with two classics. São Paulo x Santos and Guarani x Ponte Preta will be held during it.
Much of this is due to the new regulations and the change in the calendar. With only 12 dates for the state championship, the FPF (Paulista Football Federation) decided that the Paulistão would have a format similar to the European Champions League, with eight rounds being played between the teams in the first phase, with the mandatory confrontation of teams from the same pot.
This means that Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Santos — all in pot 1 — will have to face each other until the end of the first phase. The same happens with Ponte Preta and Guarani, both from Campinas and who were in pot 3.
The old format was different. With the teams divided into groups, but not being able to face rivals from the same group, the classics happened, but were more spread out over the 12 rounds of the first phase.
UOL considered the list the classics between the four big teams (Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Santos) and the Campineiro derby, between Guarani and Ponte Preta.
Classic Schedule
January 14 – Palmeiras x Santos – 7:30 PM – 2nd round
January 18 – Corinthians x São Paulo – 4:00 PM – 3rd round
January 22 – Santos x Corinthians – 7:30 PM – 4th round
January 24 – Palmeiras x São Paulo – 6:30 PM – 5th round
January 31 – Guarani x Ponte Preta – 4:00 PM – 6th round
January 31 – São Paulo x Santos – 8:30 PM – 6th round
February 8 – Corinthians x Palmeiras – 8:30 PM – 7th round
The Paulistão is set to deliver a thrilling run of six consecutive matchdays featuring at least one major rivalry game.
The packed schedule of classic clashes is a direct result of a revamped tournament format and calendar adjustments. With only 12 matchdays allocated for the state championship, the Paulista Football Federation (FPF) has adopted a structure mirroring the UEFA Champions League. This new system features eight rounds of play in the first phase, mandating that teams within the same qualifying pot face each other.
This means fans can expect intense battles between Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, and Santos – all drawn into Pot 1 – throughout the opening stage. Similarly, the Campinas derby between Ponte Preta and Guarani, both placed in Pot 3, will be a recurring fixture.
The previous format offered a more spaced-out distribution of these key matchups. While classics still occurred, teams were divided into groups and prevented from facing rivals within the same group, leading to a less concentrated period of high-stakes games.
UOL identified the rivalries between the four major São Paulo clubs – Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, and Santos – as well as the heated Campineiro derby between Guarani and Ponte Preta as the defining classics of the competition.
Classic Schedule
January 14 – Palmeiras x Santos – 7:30 PM – 2nd round
January 18 – Corinthians x São Paulo – 4:00 PM – 3rd round
January 22 – Santos x Corinthians – 7:30 PM – 4th round
January 24 – Palmeiras x São Paulo – 6:30 PM – 5th round
January 31 – Guarani x Ponte Preta – 4:00 PM – 6th round
January 31 – São Paulo x Santos – 8:30 PM – 6th round
February 8 – Corinthians x Palmeiras – 8:30 PM – 7th round
