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The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, commonly referred to as the Brasileirão or simply Série A, is a Brazilian professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Brazilian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Série B. Seasons run from May to December. Teams play 38 matches each, totaling 380 matches for the season. Most games are played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons; other games during weekday evenings. It is currently sponsored by Petrobras and thus officially known as the Campeonato Brasileiro Petrobras Série A or simply Brasileirão Petrobras.
Due to historical peculiarities and the large geographical size of the country, Brazil has a relatively short history of nation-wide football competitions. The modern Campeonato Brasileiro only began in 1971, supported by the military regime of the time and made easier by advancements in civil aviation and air transport. Before the establishment of a national league, the most prestigious football competitions in Brazil were the state leagues, notably the Campeonato Paulista and Campeonato Carioca state championships (the tournaments of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states). Most state competitions have a much longer history than the national competition. Consequently, the various state leagues were considered more prestigious than the national league during the first years.
Since 1959, seventeen clubs have been crowned Brazilian football champions. The current champions are Fluminense, who won the 2012 season.
