In the national pyramid, there are three leagues, the Série A, Série B and Série C. The Série A and Série B currently consist of 20 teams, while the Série C is disputed by 64 teams. Each year, the four worst placed clubs in the Série A are relegated to the Série B, the four top placed clubs in the Série B are promoted to Série A, the four worst clubs in the Série B are relegated to the Série C, and the four top placed clubs in the Série C are promoted to Série B.

The clubs disputing the Série C are the best placed state championship clubs of the same season which are not disputing the Série A and the Série B. Clubs that are successful in their state leagues can rise higher in the pyramid, being promoted to the Série C, and then to the Série B and eventually the Série A. Some state federations organize special competitions with the purpose of qualifying teams to the Série C.