Criciúma is the most successful team from Santa Catarina, having won the 1991 Copa do Brasil, the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, and the 2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série C. Criciúma Esporte Clube was founded on May 13, 1947, as Comerciário Esporte Clube; however the club folded due to a financial crisis in the 1960s.

In 1978 the club was renamed as Criciúma Esporte Clube, and its current colors black, yellow and white were adopted in 1984.

The present colors of Criciúma Esporte Clube are the reason the club is called Tigre (meaning Tiger).

The club's greatest feat was winning the 1991 Copa do Brasil under coach Felipe Scolari, later World Cup winner with Brazil, while being in the second division.

1 Champion in 1968 as Comerciário Esporte Clube Criciúma's stadium is Estádio Heriberto Hülse, built in 1955, with a maximum capacity of 19,900 people.