The Brazilian Série C is the third division of the Brazilian football league system and a fully professional national competition. It sits below Série A and Série B and represents a fiercely competitive gateway to the higher echelons of Brazilian football. The league typically features 20 teams divided into two groups of 10, who play a double round-robin within their group. The top four from each group advance to a knockout playoff stage, culminating in a final to decide the champion. The four semi-finalists earn promotion to Série B. The Série C is known for its unpredictability and intense matches, as clubs from across Brazil's vast territory battle for the life-changing financial and sporting rewards of promotion. It is a vital competition for historic clubs seeking redemption and ambitious projects aiming for the national stage.