The 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A was the 60th edition of Brazil's top professional football league. The competition followed the established double round‑robin format in which twenty clubs played each other home and away. Points were awarded in the traditional manner (three for a win, one for a draw), and the team with the most points at the end of the season was declared champion. Corinthians entered the campaign as the defending champions from the 2015 season (2015 Série A).

Format and qualification

The league format determined national placement and continental qualification. The highest-placed teams qualified for the following season's Copa Libertadores, while additional high-ranking clubs earned berths in the Copa Sudamericana. Simultaneously, the bottom four teams were relegated to Série B for the next year. This system emphasized consistent performance across the full season rather than playoff-style knockout rounds.

Teams and competition

Twenty clubs contested the championship, including four sides newly promoted from Série B. Participants ranged from historically successful metropolitan clubs to smaller provincial teams, creating a mix of established rivalries and fresh matchups. Matches were played from late autumn through early summer in the Southern Hemisphere calendar, drawing large domestic audiences and extensive media coverage.

The season concluded with Palmeiras claiming the title, dethroning the previous champion and marking a notable chapter in the club's modern era. The final standings also determined which teams would face international competition and which would compete to regain top‑flight status after relegation.

Significance and legacy

Beyond the trophy, the 2016 campaign influenced club finances, coaching appointments, and player transfers in subsequent seasons. It also reinforced the Série A's reputation for competitive balance and unpredictability, where form across many months matters more than short cup runs. For a concise summary and detailed statistics, see the season overview (2016 Série A details).

  • Competition: 20 clubs, double round-robin.
  • Relegation: bottom four to Série B.
  • Continental spots awarded based on final table placement.