1985 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

Format

First phase, Groups A and B

20 clubs, selected from past championship records, dividided into two groups of 10, playing in two rounds, with each club playing only the clubs of the other group. The winner of each round would qualify, along with the two best placed teams in each group, taking the sum of both rounds' results in account.

First phase, Groups C and D

24 clubs, 22 selected from their records in the 1984 state championships, plus the finalists of the 1984 Série B, dividided into two groups of 12, playing in two rounds, with each club playing only the clubs of their own group. The winner of each round would qualify, along with the two best placed teams in each group, taking the sum of both rounds' results in account.

Second phase

The 16 qualified teams of the first fase are placed into four groups with four teams each. The teams play each other twice inside their own groups, and the winners qualify to the semifinals.

Semifinal

The four qualified teams are placed into two brackets of two teams with the teams in each bracket playing twice, and the winners, decided on aggregate score, qualify to the finals.

Finals

Played by the two qualified teams, in a single match, played at the stadium of the finalist with the best record throughout the championship. In case of a draw in normal time, a penalty shootout will be used to define the champions.