Overview
- The CBF held the draw on March 3 in Rio de Janeiro, confirming 20 clubs split into four groups of five with same‑state teams kept apart.
- Group play features single‑leg matches across groups—A vs B and C vs D—with clubs in Groups A and C receiving three home games among five.
- The calendar runs from March 25 to April 29–30 for the group stage, quarterfinals on May 6–7 (single match), semifinals on May 20 and 27, and a two‑leg final on June 3 and 7.
- Ceará landed in Group C with Sport, América‑RN, Imperatriz and Ferroviário, Fortaleza is in Group D with Retrô, ABC, Maranhão and Jacuipense, with Ceará vs Fortaleza slated for round three and Ceará vs ABC opening the campaign.
- Matches stream on CBF TV via YouTube, and defending champion Bahia will not take part this year due to its Copa Libertadores commitments.