Clube Esporte Bahia was formed in 1931 after the merger of two clubs - Associação Atlética da Bahia and Clube Bahiano de Tênis – and soon developed a major following. The club was dominant in the Campeonato Baiano state competition, reeling off multiple championships in every decade prior to the year 2000, and 46 overall in its history.

The club also claimed a pair of national championships, the most recent coming in 1998. Bahia struggled at the start of this century, but has begun to return to prominence after the reopening of Arena Fonte Nova ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Back in Serie A for the new season, the club will continue its rivalry with Vitoria, the other major club in the state.