The Campeonato Baiano (English: Baiano Championship), also known as the Baianão (Big Baiano), is the state football league of the Brazilian state of Bahia. The championship has been played since 1905 without interruption and is organized by the Federação Bahiana de Futebol (FBF). 10 clubs contest the Campeonato Baiano, typically from January to April, for the title of state champion.
10 teams are included in one group, playing once only against all teams in the group. The four best teams qualify to the semifinals, while the last-placed team is relegated to the Second Level.
Final stage
The four best teams play in a two-legged knockout tie, with the first facing the fourth and the second facing the third placed. The winner of each Semifinal qualify for the Finals, which occur in the same way. The winners of the finals are the champions. In case that two teams end tied after a round, those with the best record in the first stage qualify. The champion qualify for the Copa do Nordeste and the Copa do Brasil of the next year, while the second and the third-placed teams also qualify for the national cup. The second place for the Copa do Nordeste goes to the best placed team in the CBF ranking, while the third place in the regional cup also goes according to the CBF ranking. The three best-placed in the competition also qualify for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, if not in any division above it.
