Brazilian Championship. Carioca League B
Carioca League B is the second tier of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, known as Carioca. Run by the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FERJ), it offers ambitious clubs a shot at promotion to the elite Série A Carioca. This league captures Rio's raw football passion, blending street-level grit with pro aspirations, drawing scouts from top divisions and national teams.
History and foundation
Launched in 1978 as part of FERJ's tiered system, Carioca B saw early dominance by clubs like America-RJ and Bangu. The 1990s brought surprises from underdogs like Nova Iguaçu. A 2018 match-fixing scandal led to stricter regulations. Fun fact: In 2008, Portuguesa-RJ clinched the title and reached the Carioca Série A semifinals, stunning giants like Flamengo.
Tournament format
Featuring 12–14 teams in a double round-robin format—two home and away games each. The winner earns direct promotion to Série A Carioca; places 2–4 enter playoffs. Ties resolved by golden goals or penalties. Season runs January to April, aligned with the main Carioca tournament.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.4, favoring counterattacks and flair. All-time top scorer: Ernesto Faria with 28 goals in 1995 for Olaria. Standouts include Tite (future Corinthians coach) in the 1970s; recent gems like Gabriel Barbosa (ex-Palmeiras) and prospects from Duque de Caxias, fueling Brazil's Série B. It's a breeding ground for samba-style talents.