Honestly, if you took a nap at the end of 2023 and just woke up, you’d be forgiven for being completely lost regarding the Brazilian football pyramid. For decades, the answer to "what league is Santos FC in" was a simple, proud "Série A." They were one of the untouchables. The club of Pelé, the house that Neymar built—they’d never seen the trapdoor of relegation. Then 2023 happened. It was a nightmare.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, the dust has finally settled on the most chaotic period in the club's 114-year history.
The short answer: Santos is back in the big leagues
If you’re looking for the quick fix, here it is: Santos FC is currently playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (the top flight of Brazilian football). They are also competing in the Campeonato Paulista, which is the massive state league for São Paulo. Brazilian football is weird like that—teams play their regional state championship from January to April, and then the national league (the one everyone cares about globally) kicks off and runs through December.
But saying they're in Série A doesn't tell the whole story. Not even close. You've gotta understand that just over a year ago, they were grinding out results in the second division (Série B). It was a humbling, gut-wrenching experience for a team that literally defined "O Jogo Bonito."
How the hell did they get relegated?
It still feels weird to type. On December 6, 2023, the unthinkable became reality. A 2-1 loss to Fortaleza at their home ground, the Vila Belmiro, sent them down.
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Fans literally rioted. Cars were burned. The city of Santos looked like a war zone. Why? Because Santos was one of only three clubs (along with Flamengo and São Paulo) that had never been relegated. Losing that status felt like losing the club's soul.
The 2024 season was their first-ever stint in Série B.
- They were the biggest fish in a small pond.
- The financial gap between them and the rest of the second tier was hilarious.
- Despite some hiccups, they won the Série B title in 2024.
That win secured their promotion back to the top flight for the 2025 season. They didn't just survive 2025; they stabilized. Under the guidance of Juan Pablo Vojvoda (who took over mid-2025), they finished in a respectable 12th place. It wasn't "Santástico" levels of greatness, but it was enough to keep the lights on and the fans from burning the stadium down again.
What League is Santos FC in right now? (The 2026 Season)
As of January 2026, Santos is firmly back in the elite. They just kicked off their Campeonato Paulista campaign with a 2-1 win over Novorizontino on January 10.
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The squad looks... actually good?
The big story—and I mean "break the internet" big—is the reunion of Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol). Neymar is officially back on a contract through December 2026. Seeing him back in the white shirt is surreal. He’s currently recovering from a minor knee cleanup he had in late 2025, but the expectations are through the roof.
Current Competitions for Santos FC in 2026:
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: The primary national league (starts later this year).
- Campeonato Paulista (A1): The premier state league of São Paulo (currently active).
- Copa do Brasil: The national knockout cup.
They’re basically in a rebuilding phase, but with the kind of money and star power that most "rebuilding" clubs would kill for. They’ve moved on from the financial ruin of the Andres Rueda era and under President Marcelo Teixeira, they’re actually paying their bills on time for once.
Why this actually matters for your FIFA/FC save or betting
If you’re tracking them for gaming or just to follow the "Peixe," you should know the vibe has shifted. They aren't the pushovers they were in 2023.
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The defense, led by guys like Gil and Luan Peres, is much more disciplined than the sieve-like backline that got them relegated. Plus, the youth academy (the "Meninos da Vila") is pumping out talent again. Watch out for Souza, the 18-year-old left-back who’s already being scouted by the likes of Tottenham for big money.
The 2026 Roster Reality
It’s a weird mix of old-school legends and teenagers. You've got the 2025 Paulista Golden Boot winner, Guilherme, who’s been a revelation. You’ve got veteran presence in the midfield with João Schmidt and Diego Pituca.
But honestly? Everything revolves around whether Neymar can stay healthy.
Actionable insights for fans
If you want to keep tabs on their progress this year, here’s how to do it without getting lost in the Portuguese-language weeds:
- Watch the Paulistão: Most international sports streamers (like Fanatiz or VIX) carry the state championships. It's a great way to see the new signings before the "real" season starts in May.
- Follow the Trans-Atlantic Transfers: Santos is selling players like Souza to balance the books after their Série B detour. Tracking their sales tells you exactly how much they can spend on the next big veteran homecoming.
- Check the Vila Belmiro Schedule: If you’re ever in Brazil, a match at the Vila is a bucket-list item. It only holds 16,000 people, so tickets are basically gold dust now that they’re back in Série A.
The journey from the humiliation of the second division back to the heights of Série A has been a massive wake-up call for Brazilian football. It proved that no one—not even the club of the King—is too big to fail. But for now, the answer to "what league is Santos FC in" is exactly where they belong: among the giants.
Check the latest Série A standings regularly, as the 2026 season is expected to be one of the most competitive in years with the return of several "fallen giants" to the top flight. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Neymar specifically, as his availability drastically shifts the betting odds for any Santos match. You can also monitor the official Santos FC social media channels for real-time updates on their Copa do Brasil fixtures, which are often scheduled with very little lead time.