The 2010 season isn't over yet, but decisions regarding the 2011 season in Rio de Janeiro football have already begun. This Thursday (November 04.11th), the first arbitration meeting for the Rio de Janeiro State Football Championship for the upcoming season was held at the headquarters of the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (FFERJ). The competition is expected to begin on January 19th and/or 20th.

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There will be 16 teams, divided into two groups of eight, vying for the title. Cabofriense and Nova Iguaçu return to the elite division, while Friburguense and Tigres will compete in Série B. Flamengo is in Group A, alongside Vasco, América, Boavista, Volta Redonda, Nova Iguaçu, Americano, and Resende. Group B consists of Botafogo, Fluminense, Madureira, Bangu, Olaria, Cabofriense, Macaé, and Duque de Caxias.

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As in the last six years, the competition format remains unchanged. In the first round (Taça Guanabara), the teams face each other within their groups, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. In the second round (Taça Rio), the groups are crossed over, and two teams also qualify. The winners of the semifinals, both in the Taça Guanabara and the Taça Rio, qualify for the final. If a team wins both rounds, it will be champion, without the need for a two-legged final.

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Flamengo's debut should be against Volta Redonda. The first derby of the competition will be Flamengo vs. Vasco, in the fourth round of the Taça Guanabara. A significant change compared to recent seasons is that the Federation has decided that there will no longer be semi-finals or finals of the tournament on Carnival weekends. During daylight saving time, matches will have to be played starting at 17 PM.

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