Guide to the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro: tips and the best odds for the state championship of Minas Gerais!

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The 2026 Campeonato Mineiro has already kicked off and promises thrills from the opening rounds. The competition brings together 12 teams fighting for the trophy, and this complete guide explains everything from tournament regulations to how to bet responsibly. Check it out.

When does the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro start?

The 112th edition of the Campeonato Mineiro (Módulo I) began on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The group stage runs until February 14, with the semifinals held afterward as two-legged ties. The grand final will be played in a single match on March 7, hosted by the FMF (Minas Gerais Football Federation).

What is the format of the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro?

The 12 participating teams were divided into three groups of four (A, B, and C). In the first phase, teams only face opponents from the other groups, totaling eight matches per club.

The semifinalists will be the winners of each group and the best second-placed team across the three groups. Semifinals will be two-legged, with the team with the better campaign hosting the second leg.

The final will be a single match, and if tied, the title will be decided on penalties. The bottom two teams in the overall standings (11th and 12th) will be relegated to Módulo II in 2027. The tournament also includes the Taça Inconfidência, contested by the clubs finishing between 5th and 8th.

Which teams will play the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro?

In total, 12 clubs will compete in Módulo I. Three come from the capital, Belo Horizonte: América-MG, Atlético-MG, and Cruzeiro. The remaining teams represent inland cities. The tournament blends tradition, with historic state champions, and renewal, with clubs that have been growing and gaining space in recent seasons.

Who was promoted to Módulo I?

Two clubs earned promotion to Módulo I and will debut in the top tier in 2026, based on their campaigns in Módulo II in 2025: North Esporte Clube, founded only three years ago, and URT (União Recreativa dos Trabalhadores), from Patos de Minas.

Who was relegated to Módulo II?

The two relegated clubs in the 2025 edition of the Campeonato Mineiro were Sport Club Aymorés, based in Ubá, and Villa Nova, from Nova Lima, which finished last.

What to expect from each team in the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro?

América-MG

The Coelho are one of the state’s most traditional clubs and one of Belo Horizonte’s representatives, seeking to end a state title drought that has lasted since 2016. The club finished runners-up in 2025 and is revamping its roster to return to championship contention.

Manager

Alberto Valentim

Stadium

Independência

Titles

16 (1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1948, 1957, 1971, 1993, 2001 and 2016)

Key Players

The squad includes Fernando Elizari, who renewed his contract through November 2026, along with forwards Everton Brito and Paulo Victor. América-MG also brings in Lecce and Jhonatan Lima, standouts from the club’s campaign in the U-20 Brazilian Cup.

Expectations

With odds of 8.00 to win the title, América-MG is seen as the third favorite, though notably behind its two main rivals. The expectation is a steady campaign with a strong chance of reaching the later stages of the tournament.

Athletic

The Steel Squadron from São João del Rei aims to consolidate its presence in the top division and match — or surpass — its performances from recent years. Now operating as a SAF (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol), the club has ambitious projects.

Manager

Rui Duarte

Stadium

Joaquim Portugal

Titles

Runner-up (Módulo II 2020)

Key Players

The team has not yet announced any new signings for 2026, but goalkeeper Glauco — who earned recognition at Athletic Club in 2023 — is expected to stay for another season. The main highlight, however, is midfielder David Braga, who recorded 10 goals and 4 assists in 2025.

Expectations

Priced at 30.00, Athletic is among the clubs with longer odds compared to the rest, though not as long as the outsiders. This indicates that a championship title is highly unlikely. The expectation is a campaign focused on staying in Módulo I and possibly fighting for a semifinal spot.

Atlético-MG

The defending champion — holder of 50 state titles — enters the competition seeking another trophy. Even starting the tournament with a rotated squad, the Galo remains one of the leading favorites to win.

Manager

Jorge Sampaoli

Stadium

Arena MRV

Titles

50 (1915, 1926, 1927, 1931, 1932, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024)

Key Players

Even though there is still uncertainty regarding whether top scorer Hulk will renew his contract, Cuello and Dudu performed well in 2025 and are players who excite the fan base. The club also features several young prospects, including U-17 top scorers João Teixeira and Cauã Soares.

Expectations

With odds of 2.30, Atlético-MG ranks among the clear favorites in the competition. The price reflects the strength of the defending champion, and expectations are for the club to fight for the title until the end.

Betim

After a surprising 2025 campaign, the Cidade Team returns to the elite with the goal of establishing itself. The club will also compete in Série D of the Brazilian Championship this year.

Manager

Emerson Ávila

Stadium

Arena Vera Cruz

Titles

1 (Módulo II 2024)

Key Players

The biggest highlight is the club’s new head coach — Emerson Ávila — who promises to keep the team in the top division, avoid the relegation battle, and secure more wins.

Expectations

With odds at 60.00, Betim sits among the teams with the longest prices, though with lower risk of relegation compared to others. Expectations point to a fight for survival in Módulo I, finishing near the bottom but staying above the drop zone.

Cruzeiro

With the arrival of coach Tite and the retention of the core squad, the Raposa’s primary objective is to end the dominance of rival Atlético-MG and win the state championship once more, something it has not done since 2019.

Manager

Tite

Stadium

Mineirão

Titles

38 (1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2019)

Key Players

The club brings major reinforcements, including Gerson — signed from Zenit in Russia — and former Flamengo goalkeeper Matheus Cunha. Another standout addition is forward Kaio Jorge, top scorer of the 2025 Brasileirão with 21 goals.

Expectations

Leading the market with odds of 2.00, Cruzeiro is widely regarded as the top favorite for the 2026 title. Analysts expect a dominant run, with a high probability of reaching and winning the final, breaking Atlético-MG’s recent streak.

Democrata

The Pantera from Governador Valadares — now a SAF — aims to do more than simply survive in the top flight and dreams of either reaching the knockout stage or delivering a strong Taça Inconfidência campaign.

Manager

Wladmir Araújo

Stadium

Mamudão

Titles

2 (Módulo II 2005 and 2016)

Key Players

The squad is mostly composed of last season’s roster, with additions including defender Halls and Elton Martins and Richard Luca — players with experience abroad.

Expectations

At 75.00, Democrata sits in the high-odds, high-risk group, suggesting an uphill battle. Expectations are for a relegation fight, with the club seeking to stay ahead of the bottom two.

Itabirito

Entering its third consecutive appearance in the top division, the youngest club in the tournament aims to surpass its best campaign — seventh place in 2024. Due to stadium renovations, the team will play its matches in Nova Lima.

Manager

Felipe Conceição

Stadium

Coronel Afonso Moura de Castro Stadium

Titles

1 (Módulo II 2023)

Key Players

Most of the squad returns for 2026, but the standout names are Serginho — the club’s oldest player at 39 — and left back Bryan, formerly of Cruzeiro.

Expectations

At 150.00, Itabirito carries one of the weakest prices in the field and is viewed as one of the three main relegation candidates. Forecasts indicate a very difficult campaign, with the team fighting to collect points and avoid the bottom places.

North

North is one of the major newcomers to the championship: the club was founded in 2022 and is led by former player Kléberson. Based in Montes Claros, the team aims to establish itself in Module I and secure qualification for other major competitions in the country.

Manager

Kléberson

Stadium

João Botelho

Titles

1 (Module II 2025)

Key Players

In addition to 17 new reinforcements for the 2026 squad, seven players from last season remain on the roster. The most notable names include midfielder Guilherme Camacho, goalkeeper Reynaldo, and forward Gabriel Rossetto.

Expectations

As one of the debut clubs in Module I, North is also among the three main relegation candidates, with odds of 200.00. The expectation is that the team will spend the season adapting to the top tier of Minas Gerais football, with remaining in Module I as its primary goal.

Pouso Alegre

The Dragon from southern Minas escaped relegation in the final round of 2025 and heads into 2026 looking for a calmer campaign, while also competing in the national Série D this year.

Manager

Danilo

Stadium

Manduzão

Titles

1 (Module II 2020)

Key Players

The team relies on striker Ricardo Bueno, who has previous experience playing in Brazil’s Série A.

Expectations

With odds of 50.00, Pouso Alegre projects to spend most of the tournament in mid-table positions. The expectation is that the club will not be heavily involved in the relegation fight, but is also unlikely to contend seriously for the title.

Tombense

Champion of the Interior in 2025 and a state semifinalist, the Gavião Carcará enters the competition shaken by relegation to Brazil’s Série D. The club seeks redemption and a strong campaign.

Manager

Cristóvão Borges

Stadium

Almeidão

Titles

2 (Second Division 2002 and 2006)

Key Players

Tombense brings in 10 new signings for the season while retaining key squad members. Standouts include forwards Rafinha Barbosa and Felipinho, both recently added to the roster.

Expectations

With odds of 40.00, Tombense holds the strongest pricing among the interior teams after Athletic. The expectation is that the club can finish in the upper half of the table and potentially challenge for a semifinal berth.

Uberlândia

Under new management, the club has invested in both squad and infrastructure in pursuit of a strong state and Série D campaign. Uberlândia aims for stability after several seasons bouncing between Modules I and II.

Manager

Jorge Castilho

Stadium

Parque do Sabiá

Titles

3 (Module II 1962, 1999 and 2016)

Key Players

Uberlândia is another club undergoing significant roster restructuring. The most notable players are forwards Tchê Tchê and Ingro, who remain from last season.

Expectations

Priced at 75.00, Uberlândia sits in a risk zone. The expectation is that despite its investments, the club will likely spend the season in the bottom half of the standings, possibly fighting relegation.

URT

The Blue Thunder from Patos de Minas returns to the top flight after several seasons away. It is the only club in the competition that is neither a SAF nor a corporation, and seeks to revive past success.

Manager

Gian Rodrigues

Stadium

Zamão

Titles

1 (Module II 2013)

Key Players

The standout players heading into the campaign are forward Marcelo Maçola — the team’s leading scorer — and goalkeeper Ariel, responsible for several crucial saves last season.

Expectations

Just like North, URT is viewed as one of the leading relegation candidates to Module II. Projections point to a demanding campaign in which every point may prove decisive in their battle for survival.

Main Odds for the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro on Blaze

Odds are dynamic and can change throughout the competition, influenced by factors such as player injuries, performance trends, and transfers. Always check the platform for the latest information.

Which team is expected to win the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro?

The odds indicate a clear top trio as title favorites: Atlético-MG, Cruzeiro and América-MG. Atlético currently holds odds of 2.30 to lift the trophy — as the defending champion with a strong squad, it will maintain low pricing throughout the tournament. Cruzeiro and América-MG, respectively, follow with odds of 2.00 and 8.00.

Could an interior team win the Championship?

Historically, this is rare and the odds reflect that reality. While Atlético-MG, Cruzeiro and América-MG hold low odds, the state’s interior clubs show significantly higher pricing, indicating low probability of securing the title. The shortest odds among interior teams belong to Athletic Club (30.00) and Tombense (40.00).

Which teams are projected to be relegated in 2026?

The highest odds among all clubs belong to Itabirito at 150.00, URT at 200.00, and North also at 200.00. The higher the odds, the lower the probability of winning and the greater the likelihood of relegation. Additionally, URT and North have newly returned to Module I and may struggle to match the competitive level of more established teams.

Where to watch the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro

The championship will be broadcast exclusively by Grupo Globo in Brazil. You can follow selected matches on TV Globo, as well as on paid channels SporTV and Premiere, and on geTV, which will also stream selected games.

Bet on the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro at Blaze

The 2026 Campeonato Mineiro is just getting underway and promises excitement through the final on March 8. If you want to enhance your viewing experience, evaluating plays and anticipating results, Blaze offers a full betting market for the Minas Gerais state championship.

Always keep in mind that all forms of sports betting are restricted to adults 18 years or older and should be treated solely as entertainment, never as a means of generating income. Never wager more than you can afford to lose and do not attempt to turn betting into a source of money or investment. Football enjoyment and responsibility must go hand in hand.

Want to celebrate plays, track odds and bet on the state championship in a safe and positive way? Visit Blaze’s dedicated page for the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro and explore the available markets.