In the first stage all teams except Campinense and Sousa played against each other twice. The six best teams advanced to the second stage, and the two worst teams were relegated. Also, the two best teams qualified for the final stage, but they still had to play the second stage.
In the second stage, the six teams were joined by Campinense and Sousa. All teams played against each other twice. The two best teams advanced to the final stage.
The four teams in the final stage played the semifinals, with the winners of each match contesting the final.[3]