Brazilian Championship. Maranhão State League. Women
The Campeonato Maranhense Feminino is the premier women's state football championship in Maranhão, Brazil, sanctioned by the Maranhão Football Federation (FMF). Part of Brazil's regional football pyramid, it scouts talent for national competitions and boosts women's soccer in the Northeast, drawing passionate crowds from São Luís and beyond.
History and foundation
Launched in 2018 amid Brazil's women's football boom post-2013 Série A1 inception, the league saw Saguapenense claim the inaugural title. Since 2020, Pindaré Atlético has reigned supreme with three straight wins. A 2022 pandemic hiatus gave way to record attendance. Highlight: a 12-0 thrashing of Japary by Pindaré in 2021, among Brazil's highest-scoring regional women's games. It launched stars like striker Maria Fernanda to Santos.
Tournament format
Featuring 6-8 teams in a single round-robin (5-7 games each), followed by semifinals and a final on neutral venues. The champion earns spots in the Copa do Brasil Feminina and Série A3 contention. Season runs March to June on stadiums like Cacheirão and Nhozinho do Tambor.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match: 4.2, surpassing Série A2's 3.5. All-time top scorer: Gizeli (Pindaré, 28 goals over three seasons). Standouts include Saguapenense captain Letícia (15 clean sheets as GK) and Japary's playmaker Camila (2023 assist leader). The league feeds talent to clubs like Internacional and Corinthians.