The 2012 season was Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama's 114th year in existence, the club's 97th season in existence of football, and the club's 41st season playing in the Brasileirão Série A, the top flight of Brazilian football. The 2008 season was the only season where the team was down graded resulting in their playing in the Brasileirão Série B in the 2009 season.