Guide to the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense: teams, tips, and the best odds from Paraná’s state league

The start of the Brazilian season means state competitions, and one of them is the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense. The tournament features 12 teams battling for the title and plenty of sports betting opportunities for football enthusiasts.

The ball is already rolling, but there is still time to learn about the clubs, schedule, and best odds for this year’s Paranaense. To lend a hand to fans, Blaze put together a detailed guide covering the teams, top odds, and where to watch.

When did the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense start?

The 112th edition of the Campeonato Paranaense kicked off on January 6. The first phase runs until January 24. After that, both the relegation playoffs and the quarterfinals take place, all played over two legs.

The semifinals follow the same home-and-away format, as does the final. The championship match is scheduled for March 7, a Saturday.

What is the format of the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense?

The Paraná state league underwent major changes this season due to a reduced calendar dictated by the CBF. The competition now features 12 match dates, five fewer than the 17 used last year.

The 12 clubs were split into two groups of six, with each team playing all opponents from the opposite group once. The top four advance to the quarterfinals.

On the other end of the table, the bottom two of each group enter a playoff that determines the two relegated clubs. Meanwhile, the quarterfinals return to the traditional knockout format, with the winners over two legs advancing to the semifinals and later the final.

Which teams are playing in the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense?

Twelve teams compete in the 2026 edition: two from Curitiba and two from Maringá. The other eight clubs are spread across eight cities throughout Paraná.

Who earned promotion to Serie A1 of the Campeonato Paranaense?

Galo Maringá and Foz do Iguaçu were the two promoted sides. Galo Maringá won the title, while Foz finished runners-up in Serie A2.

Who was relegated to Serie A2 of the Campeonato Paranaense?

Last season saw the relegation of a club that was once part of Brazil’s top flight. Paraná Clube had returned to Serie A1 in 2025 after two years in the state second division but finished bottom and dropped again. The other relegated club was Rio Branco-PR.

Group A

Athletico Paranaense

After a tough year in Série B of the Brasileirão, Athletico-PR finally breathed a sigh of relief with its return to the national top tier. Still, the season begins with the state league, and nothing better than a strong start and a first title in two years.

Manager

Odair Hellmann

Stadium

Ligga Arena

Titles

28 (1925, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1936, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024)

Key players

For the state competition, the club will field the aspirants squad, composed mainly of U-20 players, including goalkeeper Mycael and midfielder Alejandro García. The roster also features recent signings, such as defensive midfielder Jadson.

Expectations

Athletico are the clear favorites to win the Paranaense this season, priced at 2.0 to lift the trophy.

FC Cascavel

Cascavel needs a stronger campaign in the 2026 Paranaense. The club missed out on the knockout rounds last year and must bounce back quickly to maintain a full calendar.

Manager

César Bueno

Stadium

Olímpico Regional

Best finish

Runners-up (twice: 2021 and 2023)

Key players

The team retained several names from last season, including midfielder Robinho and goalkeeper André Luiz. New signings include forward Vitor Saci.

Expectations

Cascavel may not be among the top picks to win the championship, with odds at 30.0, but they are far from the bottom candidates and are capable of advancing to the knockout phase.

Foz do Iguaçu

One of the clubs returning to the state’s top division, Foz do Iguaçu enters the competition hoping to relive the good moments from the past. After three years away, the team is eager to reclaim spots in national tournaments.

Manager

Adriano Souza

Stadium

ABC

Best finish

3rd place (2018)

Key players

Foz strengthened the squad by signing forward Vinicius Peixoto, formerly of Mirassol. The club also promoted players from its academy, including midfielder Paulo Mathias, and retained members of the promotion-winning side, such as goalkeeper Diego Cardoso.

Expectations

Foz do Iguaçu is expected to be among the teams battling relegation in the playoff stage.

Londrina

It has been five years since Londrina last lifted the state trophy. The club has a big 2026 ahead, returning to Série B of the Brasileirão and competing in the Copa do Brasil. Like many opponents, the state league marks the start of a season full of opportunities.

Manager

Allan Aal

Stadium

Estádio do Café

Titles

5 (1962, 1981, 1992, 2014 and 2021)

Key players

Forward Vitinho and midfielder Lucas Marques are among the returning players. Perhaps the most notable signing is forward Paulinho Moccelin, a Série B champion with Chapecoense.

Expectations

As one of the state’s strongest clubs, yet not as heavily favored as the Atletiba duo, Londrina aims to surprise and reach the final. Title odds are 10.0.

Maringá

Maringá has finished runner-up four times, including back-to-back in the last two seasons. The team once again targets a return to the final and hopes this time to finally claim the trophy.

Manager

Rodrigo Chipp

Stadium

Regional Willie Davids

Best finish

Runners-up (4 times: 2014, 2022, 2024 and 2025)

Key players

After a wide roster overhaul, one of the few holdovers is goalkeeper Tony. The club brought in more than a dozen reinforcements, including Uruguayan midfielder Nacho Neira and forward Ronald Camarão.

Expectations

Maringá may advance to the next stage, but is considered a long shot for the title, with odds of 20.0. Still, it is worth noting the club reached the final twice in the past two seasons.

São Joseense

In the top division since 2022, the São José dos Pinhais club now enters its fifth straight campaign in Serie A1. This time, São Joseense hopes to reach the knockout stage and prove it has staying power in the elite, also known as the Gold Division.

Manager

Ageu Gonçalves

Stadium

Estádio do Pinhão

Best finish

Quarterfinals (2025)

Key players

Midfielder Júlio Rusch is one of the team’s standouts, with stints at several Paraná clubs including Paraná Clube, Londrina, and Coritiba. Center-back Caio César, 36, and winger Niltinho, who has experience in Europe, are also key figures.

Expectations

São Joseense will need to fight hard to remain in the top flight. The club has very low title expectations and is not projected to advance to the knockout stage.

Group B

Andraus

Andraus earned promotion to the state’s top flight for the first time in 2023 and competed in 2024. Now entering its third campaign in the first division, the club is determined to remain among the teams already established in the Paranaense Série A1.

Manager

Claudemir Sturion

Stadium

Vila Capanema

Best finish

9th place (2024)

Key players

Defensive midfielder Vinicius Kiss, formerly of Paraná and Coritiba, is one of the most experienced players in the squad. The team also features midfielder Felipe Valdívia and goalkeeper Luís Carlos, who has played for Ceará and Paraná.

Expectations

With title odds at 150.0, Andraus needs to stay fully focused on keeping its spot in the Gold Division. The club is expected to fight against relegation.

Azuriz

Now in its sixth straight appearance, Azuriz wants more than the modest 5th-place finish that remains its best campaign. The club aims to reach the semifinals or at least secure qualification for national tournaments.

Manager

Everson Cerisoli

Stadium

Os Pioneiros

Best finish

5th place (2021)

Key players

Forward Matheus Guimarães, who scored six goals last season, remains with the squad, as does defender Brunão, who played 30 matches for the club in 2025. Goalkeeper Rafael William, formerly of Maringá, is the main newcomer.

Expectations

Azuriz has the tools to fight for a knockout-stage berth, even if it is not among the top title contenders. Odds for such an accomplishment stand at 50.0.

Cianorte

With a full 2026 calendar ahead, Cianorte wants to make the most of the season. If everything goes well, the Leão do Vale hopes to return to the semifinals after a six-year absence and perhaps aim even higher.

Manager

Rafael Ferro

Stadium

Olímpico Albino Turbay

Best finish

Semifinals (3 times: 2004, 2017 and 2020) / 4th place (2012)

Key players

Right-back Cristovam, well known across Paraná football, is one of the key additions. Another new signing is forward Vinni Faria, formerly of Paysandu. The most exciting name, however, may be a homegrown talent: defensive midfielder Luan is only 17 but made his first-team debut in 2025 and should receive more opportunities in 2026.

Expectations

Cianorte will also fight for a place in the quarterfinals, though progressing beyond that stage will be challenging. Title odds sit at 50.0.

Coritiba

The winningest club in the state, with 39 trophies, Coritiba is enduring a three-year title drought. But the Coxa appears poised to change the narrative and chase its 40th crown in a year highlighted by its return to the Brasileirão Série A.

Manager

Fernando Seabra

Stadium

Couto Pereira

Titles

39 (1916, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1989, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2022)

Key players

Coritiba refreshed its squad for competition in the national first division. Among the additions are striker Pedro Rocha, the Série B top scorer with Remo, and right-back Tinga. The club also renewed with center-back Maicon.

Expectations

Coritiba is one of the frontrunners for the trophy, behind only rival Athletico-PR, with odds of 3.0.

Galo Maringá

Galo Maringá enters its third appearance in the Gold Division of the Paranaense. Founded in 2020, the club was relegated in 2024, but needed only the 2025 season to climb back, proving that young teams can be competitive.

Manager

Emerson Cris

Stadium

Willie Davids

Best finish

7th place (2023)

Key players

Midfielder Leandro Córdova, a standout in last year’s promotion campaign, stays with the team. The club has signed around a dozen new players, including veteran center-back Everton Sena, a Série C champion with Santa Cruz in 2013, and forward Tcharlles.

Expectations

Galo Maringá faces the standard mission of any newly promoted club: remaining in the top flight. It will not be easy, and the team is expected to battle relegation.

Operário Ferroviário

The reigning champions, Operário Ferroviário arrive with major ambitions. Beyond defending the title to win their third trophy and second straight, the club also wants to fine-tune the squad that will play the Brasileirão Série B.

Manager

Alex de Souza

Stadium

Germano Krüger

Titles

2 (2015 and 2025)

Key players

Forward Vinicius Mingotti, with five goals in 2025, stays for his third consecutive year. The club also signed forward Aylon, a center forward who has played for Internacional, Ceará and Chapecoense. Another reinforcement is right-back Mikael Doka, who has experience in Australia and Japan.

Expectations

It may be challenging, with odds at 10.0, slightly behind Athletico and Coritiba, but Operário Ferroviário will once again try to surprise and chase a third state championship.

Best odds for the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense on Blaze

The state championship is already underway. A few teams are showing their intentions early, while others still seek to prove themselves. With that in mind, it is worth watching the tournament odds, always remembering that numbers shift throughout the competition, driven by on-field and off-field factors.

Which team is expected to win the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense?

The state’s two biggest clubs are the leading favorites for the 2026 trophy: Athletico-PR and Coritiba. After all, both have also returned to Brazil’s top division, finishing neck-and-neck in Série B in 2025.

Athletico-PR, runners-up in Série B, have odds of 2.0 to win the state title, while Coritiba, the Série B champions, are listed at 3.0. The next closest contenders are Operário Ferroviário and Londrina, both at 10.0.

Which teams are most likely to be relegated in the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense?

The longest title odds belong to Andraus, Foz do Iguaçu, São Joseense and Galo Maringá. These appear to be the clubs most likely to fight against relegation.

Where to watch the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense

Fans can follow the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense on broadcast television via RIC Record, and also on YouTube, both on the Paraná Football Federation (FPF) channel and the GOAT channel.

Bet on the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense at Blaze!

The ball is already rolling and you can now bet on the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense. But before choosing your favorites, remember that responsibility should always be the captain of your team.

With responsible play, you make more informed choices and wager only amounts meant for entertainment, without affecting other areas of your life, such as personal or financial stability. Sports betting is a form of fun and should never be confused with investment.

Place your bets now on the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense at Blaze and celebrate every goal.