The 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, the third level of the Brazilian League, would be contested by 20 clubs from May 27 until November 4, 2012. Top four teams in the table will qualify to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B to be contested in 2013, meanwhile the bottom four will be relegated to Campeonato Brasileiro Série D.
Due to legal issues, the STJD suspended the Série C and Série D until the issues were settled. After 32 days, the CBF confirmed that the Série C started at June 30 and ended on December 1.
Rule changes
Unlike previous years, in 2012 participating clubs will be divided in two groups of 10, instead of the four groups of five clubs, the system adopted by 2011. Thus, all teams will be involved in the tournament until the end of the year. The amendment will allow all clubs in the competition to play at least 18 games in the tournament. The top of each group will advance to the knockout stage for the decisive stages of the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. The semifinalists will be promoted to the Series B 2013.
Teams
TeamHome cityStadiumCapacityÁguiaMarabáZinho de Oliveira 5,500BrasilienseBrasíliaBoca do Jacaré 30,000CaxiasCaxias do SulCentenário 30,800ChapecoenseChapecóArena Condá 25,000CuiabáCuiabáVerdão 40,000Duque de CaxiasDuque de CaxiasMarrentão 7,000FortalezaFortalezaPresidente Vargas 20,600GuaranySobralJunco 10,000IcasaJuazeiro do NorteRomeirão 16,000LuverdenseLucas do Rio VerdePasso das Emas Stadium 15,000MacaéMacaéMoacyzão 15,000MadureiraRio de JaneiroConselheiro Galvão 10,000OesteItápolisAmaros 16,000PaysanduBelémCuruzú 20,000SalgueiroSalgueiroSalgueirão 10,000Santa CruzRecifeArruda 60,000Santo AndréSanto AndréBruno José Daniel 18,000TrezeCampina GrandePresidente Vargas 10,000TupiJuiz de ForaMário Helênio 40,000Vila NovaGoiâniaSerra Dourada 50,000
First stage Group A
Matches
Group B
Matches
Final stage
Top goalscorers GoalsPlayerTeam11Santa Cruz10 RubinhoLuverdense9 Pedro JúniorVila Nova8 JonesMacaé ZambiMacaé7 Bruno VeigaDuque de Caxias WalFortaleza
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References