The club's name and colors were inspired by the Sampaio Corrêa II Hydroplane, which landed in the capital of Maranhão in December 1922.

Quite popular in the Brazilian football scene, Sampaio Corrêa is recognized for having the biggest fan base in the state of Maranhão.

Due to the unity between the Sampaio Corrêa and Imperatriz fans, there is no intense rivalry between the clubs, consequently leaving a very friendly atmosphere when they face each other.

Sampaio is still the only team from Maranhão to have participated in an official international tournament, the 1998 Copa Conmebol, having reached the semifinal stage.

The club is named after a seaplane called Sampaio Corrêa II, which visited the city of São Luís on December 12, 1922, and was commanded by two pilots, the Brazilian Euclides Pinto Martins and the American Walter Hinton.

Sampaio Correa returned to the Serie B for its 2014 season, after finishing fourth in the first stage of the 2013 Série C and eventually reaching the final, losing to Santa Cruz 2–1 on aggregate.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.