Twenty teams competed in the league – the top sixteen teams from the previous season, as well as four teams promoted from the
Série B. Botafogo became the first club to be promoted after a 1–0 win against
Luverdense on 10 November 2015 meant they were guaranteed an automatic place. They returned to the League after only a season's absence. Vitória became the second club to be promoted, after a 3-0 win with Luverdense. They returned to the League after only a season's absence.
Santa Cruz became the third club to be promoted, after 3-0 win with
Mogi Mirim. They played the
Brasileirão for the first time since the
2006 season.
América Mineiro became the fourth and final club to be promoted, following a 1–1 draw over Ceará meant they finished above them on points difference and secured the automatic spot. The four promoted clubs replaced
Avaí,
Vasco da Gama,
Goiás and
Joinville. At the end of the season, for the third consecutive year,
Rio de Janeiro did not have its four representatives in the first division, largely due to the inconsistent performance of Vasco da Gama and Botafogo, who alternated in relegation in recent seasons.
Stadia and locations The three clubs based in Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense weren't able to play their home matches in
Maracanã or
Engenhão Stadiums due to the preparation of these venues for the
Olympic Games that were held in the city in August. The clubs used other stadiums for their home matches. Other stadiums used include
Arena das Dunas,
Arena Fonte Nova,
Arena Pernambuco,
Kléber Andrade,
Mané Garrincha,
Mário Helênio,
Pacaembu, and
Raulino de Oliveira.
Number of teams by state Personnel and kits Managerial changes Foreign players The clubs can have a maximum of five foreign players in their Campeonato Brasileiro squads. • 1 Players holding Brazilian dual nationality. ==Standings==