In 2009, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, the fourth division of the Brazilian Football, is currently being contested for first time in history.
The competition has 40 clubs, four of which will eventually qualify to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C to be contested in 2010.
The 40 teams are divided in ten groups of 4, playing within them in a double round-robin format.
The two best ranked in each group at the end of 6 rounds will qualify to the Second Stage, which will be played in home-and-away system.
Three of the five 3rd stage losers qualify due to their overall record: * plays second leg at home.