2016 Copa do Nordeste
The 2016 Copa do Nordeste was the 14th edition of the main football tournament featuring teams from the Brazilian Northeast Region. The competition featured 20 clubs, with Bahia and Pernambuco having three seeds each, and Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe, Alagoas, ParaÃba, Maranhão and Piauà with two seeds each. Santa Cruz qualified to play in the 2016 Copa Sudamericana, after winning the final against Campinense 3–2 on aggregate.
Santa Cruz also qualified to play in the 2017 Copa Sudamericana but CONMEBOL reduced the Brazilian berths from 8 to 6. Therefore, the champions Santa Cruz and Paysandu lost their Copa Sudamericana berths. Finally, they qualified for the 2017 Copa do Brasil Round of 16.
Ceará were the defending champion, but were eliminated by Santa Cruz in the quarterfinals.
Qualified teams
Group stage
Group A
Source:
Group B
Source:
Group C
Source:
Group D
Source:
Group E
Source:
Ranking of second placed teams
Knockout phase
Bracket
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals
----| 2016 Copa do Nordeste Champions |
 |
| Santa Cruz 1st title |