Copa do Brasil 2026 Classics: Who Leads the Ranking

The presence of three state classics in the Copa do Brasil 2026 quarter-finals brought to light the age-old question of which is the biggest classic in the country. This situation led Globo and its affiliates to conduct a survey among journalists, commentators, and narrators to define the most notable rivalries.

What motivated the survey

During the quarter-final week, fifty professionals from 11 states were invited to choose Brazil's three biggest classics, assigning a weight of 5 to the first place, 3 to the second, and 1 to the third. The objective was to capture specialists' perceptions of the rivalries that most mobilize fans.

Gre-Nal leads the ranking

The classic between Grêmio and Internacional, known as Gre-Nal, received 47 mentions, far surpassing the second-place contender. In terms of accumulated points, Gre-Nal scored more than double the points of its closest rival, solidifying its position as the most remembered among participants.

Corinthians × Palmeiras and Atlético × Cruzeiro in top positions

Corinthians × Palmeiras was cited by 31 journalists, taking second place in the ranking. Following this, the Atlético × Cruzeiro clash received 24 mentions, securing the third position. Other rivalries that frequently appeared were Flamengo × Vasco (17 mentions) and Flamengo × Fluminense (12 mentions).

Ba-Vi remains outside the top five

Despite the tradition of the match between Bahia and Vitória, Ba-Vi ranked sixth, with 10 mentions and 12 points in the general classification. This placement left it outside the top five biggest classics identified by the survey.

The result reflects the diversity of regional rivalries and the importance each classic holds for the identity of the fans, especially when they meet in decisive stages of national competitions like the Copa do Brasil.