In 2011, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, the third level of the Brazilian League, will be contested by 20 clubs divided in four groups, followed by a playoff round, during 16 July and 13 November.
[1] The top four clubs, the ones which qualifies to the semifinals, will be promoted to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B to be contested in 2012.
Meanwhile, the bottom four clubs, the ones that finish in last place of each group, will be relegated to 2012 Série D. If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings
Note that no round-robin will be played involving all clubs; positions will depend on individual scoring.