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Primeira Liga facts for kids

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For the former Brazilian regional cup with the same name, see Primeira Liga (Brazil).
Quick facts for kids
Primeira Liga
Liga Portugal Betclic 2023.png
Organising body Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional (LPFP)
Founded 1934; 91 years ago (1934)
Country  Portugal
Confederation UEFA
Number of teams 18 (since 2014–15)
Level on pyramid 1
Relegation to Liga Portugal 2
Domestic cup(s) Taça de Portugal
Supertaça
League cup(s) Taça da Liga
International cup(s) UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
Current champions Sporting CP (20th title)
(2023–24)
Most championships Benfica (38 titles)
Most appearances Manuel Fernandes (486)
Top goalscorer Fernando Peyroteo (332)
TV partners List of broadcasters

The Primeira Liga, officially called Liga Portugal Betclic, is the top football league in Portugal. It is managed by Liga Portugal. Eighteen teams play in the league each season. The three teams at the bottom of the standings move down to Liga Portugal 2. The top three teams from Liga Portugal 2 then move up to the Primeira Liga.

The league started in 1934. It was first called Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Divisão. Later, it was known as Campeonato Nacional da Primeira Divisão until 1999. Since then, it has been called the Primeira Liga. More than 70 teams have played in the league. However, only five teams have ever won the championship. Three teams, known as the "Big Three", have won almost all the titles. These are Benfica (38 wins), Porto (30), and Sporting CP (20). The only other winners are Belenenses (in 1946) and Boavista (in 2001).

The Primeira Liga is a very respected league in Europe. As of 2021, it ranks sixth in UEFA's national league standings. It even reached the top five in 2011–12, passing the French Ligue 1. This was a big achievement for Portuguese football.

History of the League

Before 1938, there was a league competition called the Primeira Liga. The winners were called "League champions." But the main championship was a cup competition called the Championship of Portugal.

In 1938, football in Portugal changed. The league competition became the most important. It started to decide who the Portuguese champion was. From 1938 to 1999, the league was known as the Primeira Divisão.

Porto won the first new league championship. They also won the next season. The league grew from 8 to 10 teams in 1939–40. It expanded again in 1941–42 to 12 teams. This allowed more clubs to join.

After the 1945–46 season, the way teams qualified changed. Teams no longer had to play in regional championships. Instead, a system with promotions and relegations was set up. This meant teams could move between different levels of the league.

Here is how many teams have played in the league over the years:

  • 8 clubs: 1934–1939
  • 10 clubs: 1939–1940
  • 8 clubs: 1940–1941
  • 12 clubs: 1941–1942
  • 10 clubs: 1942–1945
  • 12 clubs: 1945–1946
  • 14 clubs: 1946–1971
  • 16 clubs: 1971–1987
  • 20 clubs: 1987–1989
  • 18 clubs: 1989–1990
  • 20 clubs: 1990–1991
  • 18 clubs: 1991–2006
  • 16 clubs: 2006–2014
  • 18 clubs: 2014–present

In 1999, the Portuguese League for Professional Football took over the league. That's when it was officially renamed "Primeira Liga."

"Big Three" performance over the last 10 seasons
Season Benfica Porto Sporting
2013–14 1 3 2
2014–15 1 2 3
2015–16 1 3 2
2016–17 1 2 3
2017–18 2 1 3
2018–19 1 2 3
2019–20 2 1 4
2020–21 3 2 1
2021–22 3 1 2
2022–23 1 2 4
2023–24 2 3 1

The Big Three Teams

"The Big Three" are the three most powerful football clubs in Portugal. These are Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP. They have won almost every Primeira Liga title. Only Belenenses (in 1946) and Boavista (in 2001) have won titles besides them. These three teams usually finish in the top three spots. This means they often play in big European competitions. They are also the only clubs that have played in every season of the Primeira Liga.

These clubs are very popular in Portugal. Many fans support one of these teams as their main club. Local teams often get less support. This is one reason why attendance at Portuguese football matches can be lower than in other European leagues. The games are also often shown on TV.

Benfica has won the most league, cup, and league cup titles in Portugal. They have also won two European Cup trophies in a row. Porto has won the most Portuguese Super Cups and international titles (7). Sporting CP is third in league and cup titles.

League Sponsorship Names

The Primeira Liga has had different names because of sponsors.

  • From 2002 to 2005, it was called SuperLiga GalpEnergia.
  • In 2005–2006, it was Liga betandwin.com.
  • From 2006 to 2008, it was bwin LIGA.
  • From 2008 to 2010, it was Liga Sagres.
  • From 2010 to 2014, it was Liga ZON Sagres.
  • From 2014 to 2021, it was Liga NOS.
  • From 2021 to 2023, it was Liga Portugal Bwin.
  • Since 2023, it has been called Liga Portugal Betclic.

How the Competition Works

Since the 2014–15 season, there are 18 clubs in the Primeira Liga. Each club plays every other team twice. They play one game at home and one game away. This means each team plays a total of 34 games in a season.

At the end of the season, the two teams with the fewest points are moved down to the Segunda Liga. The top two teams from the Segunda Liga are then promoted to the Primeira Liga.

Qualifying for European Competitions

The best teams in the Primeira Liga get to play in European competitions. These are big tournaments against teams from other countries.

  • The top two teams in the Primeira Liga go straight into the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
  • The third-placed team plays in a playoff round for the Champions League. If they don't make it, they go into the UEFA Europa League.
  • The fourth-placed team also goes into the Europa League.
  • The winner of the Taça de Portugal cup also gets a spot in the Europa League. If the cup winner already qualified for the Champions League through their league position, the fifth-placed team in the league gets the Europa League spot.

UEFA League Ranking

The UEFA League Ranking shows how strong a country's football league is compared to others in Europe. This ranking helps decide how many teams from each country can play in European competitions.

UEFA League Ranking as of the 2023–24 season:

  1. England English Premier League
  2. Spain Spanish La Liga
  3. Germany German Bundesliga
  4. Italy Italian Serie A
  5. France French Ligue 1
  6. Netherlands Dutch Eredivisie
  7. Portugal Portuguese Primeira Liga
  8. Belgium Belgian Pro League
  9. Scotland Scottish Premiership
  10. Austria Austrian Football Bundesliga

Clubs in the League

The table below shows the teams that played in the 2023–24 Primeira Liga season. It includes their location, stadium, and how many league titles they have won.

Team Location Stadium Capacity 2022–23 1st season
in Primeira Liga		 No. of seasons
in Primeira Liga		 1st season of
current spell		 No. of seasons
of current spell		 League titles Last title
Arouca Arouca Estádio Municipal de Arouca 5,000 5th 2013–14 7 2021–22 3 0 -
Benfica Lisbon Estádio da Luz 64,642 1st 1934–35 90 1934–35 90 38 2022–23
Boavista Porto Estádio do Bessa 28,263 9th 1935–36 61 2014–15 10 1 2000–01
Braga Braga Estádio Municipal de Braga 30,286 3rd 1947–48 68 1975–76 49 0 -
Casa Pia Lisbon Estádio Nacional 37,593 10th 1938–39 3 2022–23 2 0 -
Chaves Chaves Estádio Municipal Eng.º
Manuel Branco Teixeira		 8,400 7th 1985–86 18 2022–23 2 0 -
Estoril Estoril Estádio António Coimbra da Mota 8,015 14th 1944–45 29 2021–22 3 0 -
Estrela da Amadora Amadora Estádio José Gomes 7,000 3rd (LP2) 1988–89 16 2023–24 1 0 -
Famalicão Vila Nova de Famalicão Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho 5,307 8th 1946–47 10 2019–20 5 0 -
Farense Faro Estádio de São Luís 7,000 2nd (LP2) 1970–71 24 2023–24 1 0 -
Gil Vicente Barcelos Estádio Cidade de Barcelos 12,504 13th 1990–91 22 2019–20 5 0 -
Moreirense Moreira de Cónegos Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas 6,153 1st (LP2) 2002–03 12 2023–24 1 0 -
Portimonense Portimão Estádio Municipal de Portimão 6,204 15th 1976–77 21 2017–18 7 0 -
Porto Porto Estádio do Dragão 50,033 2nd 1934–35 90 1934–35 90 30 2021–22
Rio Ave Vila do Conde Estádio dos Arcos 9,065 12th 1979–80 29 2022–23 2 0 -
Sporting CP Lisbon Estádio José Alvalade 50,095 4th 1934–35 90 1934–35 90 19 2020–21
Vitória de Guimarães Guimarães Estádio D. Afonso Henriques 30,000 6th 1941–42 79 2007–08 17 0 -
Vizela Vizela Estádio do FC Vizela 6,000 11th 1984–85 4 2021–22 3 0 -

Attendance at Matches

The "Big Three" clubs – Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP – always have much higher attendance than other teams. This is because they have the biggest stadiums in Portugal, with over 50,000 seats. Other teams like Vitória de Guimarães and Braga also have good crowds.

Some older, historical clubs like Académica de Coimbra and Vitória de Setúbal have played many seasons in the top league. They have many fans, but their stadiums are smaller (10,000 to 30,000 seats). Their attendance numbers are not as high today.

The table below shows the average attendance for each club in the 2017–18 season:

Club Average Stadium
capacity		 Attendance(%) Accumulated Stadium
1 Benfica 53,209 64,642 82.93% 904,553 Estádio da Luz
2 Sporting CP 43,623 50,044 87.16% 741,599 Estádio José Alvalade
3 Porto 42,674 50,431 85.29% 725,461 Estádio do Dragão
4 Vitória de Guimarães 16,015 30,008 53.37% 272,255 Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
5 Braga 11,706 30,286 38.65% 198,998 Estádio Municipal de Braga
6 Marítimo 7,072 10,932 66.93% 120,216 Estádio dos Barreiros
7 Boavista 5,623 30,000 20.55% 95,585 Estádio do Bessa
8 Vitória de Setúbal 4,111 13,468 28.80% 69,890 Estádio do Bonfim
9 Feirense 3,907 5,600 71.69% 66,412 Estádio Marcolino de Castro
10 Rio Ave 3,889 9,065 43.42% 66,116 Estádio do Rio Ave FC
11 Chaves 3,627 9,000 40.89% 61,658 Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira
12 Paços de Ferreira 3,507 6,404 38.63% 59,612 Estádio da Mata Real
13 Belenenses 3,344 19,856 22.27% 56,851 Estádio do Restelo
14 Portimonense 3,158 9,544 64.04% 53,693 Estádio Municipal de Portimão
15 Aves 2,635 5,441 44.69% 44,803 Estádio do CD Aves
16 Tondela 2,373 5,000 47.46% 40,344 Estádio João Cardoso
17 Estoril 2,275 8,000 28.83% 38,673 Estádio António Coimbra da Mota
18 Moreirense 2,264 6,153 36.80% 38,494 Estádio Municipal 25 de Abril

League Champions and Top Scorers

The table below lists the champions of the Primeira Liga each season. It also shows the second and third-placed teams, and the top goal scorer for that season.

Clubs Players
Season Champions Points Runners-up Points Third place Points Teams Rounds Bola de Prata
(Top Scorer)		 Club Goals
Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Divisão
  1934–35 Porto 22 Sporting CP 20 Benfica 19 8 14 Portugal Manuel Soeiro Sporting CP 14
  1935–36 Benfica 21 Porto 20 Sporting CP 18 8 14 Portugal Pinga Porto 21
  1936–37 Benfica (2) 24 Belenenses 23 Sporting CP 19 8 14 Portugal Manuel Soeiro Sporting CP 24
  1937–38 Benfica (3) 23 Porto 23 Sporting CP 22 8 14 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo Sporting CP 34
Campeonato Nacional da Primeira Divisão
  1938–39 Porto (2) 23 Sporting CP 22 Benfica 21 8 14 Portugal Costuras Porto 18
  1939–40 Porto (3) 34 Sporting CP 32 Belenenses 25 10 18 Portugal F. Peyroteo / Kingdom of Yugoslavia S. Kodrnja Sporting CP / Porto 29
  1940–41 Sporting CP 23 Porto 20 Belenenses 19 8 14 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo Sporting CP 29
  1941–42 Benfica (4) 38 Sporting CP 34 Belenenses 30 12 22 Portugal Correia Dias Porto 36
  1942–43 Benfica (5) 30 Sporting CP 29 Belenenses 28 10 18 Portugal Julinho Benfica 24
  1943–44 Sporting CP (2) 31 Benfica 26 Atlético CP 24 10 18 Portugal Francisco Rodrigues Vitória de Setúbal 28
  1944–45 Benfica (6) 30 Sporting CP 27 Belenenses 27 10 18 Portugal Francisco Rodrigues Vitória de Setúbal 21
  1945–46 Belenenses 38 Benfica 37 Sporting CP 32 12 22 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo Sporting CP 37
  1946–47 Sporting CP (3) 47 Benfica 41 Porto 33 14 26 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo Sporting CP 43
  1947–48 Sporting CP (4) 41 Benfica 41 Belenenses 37 14 26 Portugal António Araújo Porto 36
  1948–49 Sporting CP (5) 42 Benfica 37 Belenenses 35 14 26 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo Sporting CP 40
  1949–50 Benfica (7) 45 Sporting CP 39 Atlético CP 30 14 26 Portugal Julinho Benfica 29
  1950–51 Sporting CP (6) 45 Porto 34 Benfica 30 14 26 Portugal Manuel Vasques Sporting CP 29
  1951–52 Sporting CP (7) 41 Benfica 40 Porto 36 14 26 Portugal José Águas Benfica 28
  1952–53 Sporting CP (8) 43 Benfica 39 Belenenses 36 14 26 Portugal Matateu Belenenses 29
  1953–54 Sporting CP (9) 43 Porto 36 Benfica 32 14 26 Portugal João Martins Sporting CP 31
  1954–55 Benfica (8) 39 Belenenses 39 Sporting CP 37 14 26 Portugal Matateu Belenenses 32
  1955–56 Porto (4) 43 Benfica 43 Belenenses 37 14 26 Portugal José Águas Benfica 28
  1956–57 Benfica (9) 41 Porto 40 Belenenses 33 14 26 Portugal José Águas Benfica 30
  1957–58 Sporting CP (10) 43 Porto 43 Benfica 36 14 26 Portugal Arsénio Duarte CUF do Barreiro 23
  1958–59 Porto (5) 41 Benfica 41 Belenenses 38 14 26 Portugal José Águas Benfica 26
  1959–60 Benfica (10) 45 Sporting CP 43 Belenenses 36 14 26 Brazil Edmur Ribeiro Vitória de Guimarães 25
  1960–61 Benfica (11) 46 Sporting CP 42 Porto 33 14 26 Portugal José Águas Benfica 27
  1961–62 Sporting CP (11) 43 Porto 41 Benfica 36 14 26 Brazil Veríssimo Porto 23
  1962–63 Benfica (12) 48 Porto 42 Sporting CP 38 14 26 Portugal José Augusto Torres Benfica 26
  1963–64 Benfica (13) 46 Porto 40 Sporting CP 34 14 26 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 28
  1964–65 Benfica (14) 43 Porto 37 CUF do Barreiro 35 14 26 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 28
  1965–66 Sporting CP (12) 42 Benfica 41 Porto 34 14 26 Portugal Eusébio / Portugal E. Figueiredo Benfica / Sporting CP 25
  1966–67 Benfica (15) 43 Académica 40 Porto 39 14 26 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 31
  1967–68 Benfica (16) 41 Sporting CP 37 Porto 36 14 26 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 42
  1968–69 Benfica (17) 39 Porto 37 Vitória de Guimarães 36 14 26 Portugal Manuel António Académica 19
  1969–70 Sporting CP (13) 46 Benfica 38 Vitória de Setúbal 36 14 26 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 20
  1970–71 Benfica (18) 41 Sporting CP 38 Porto 37 14 26 Portugal Artur Jorge Benfica 23
  1971–72 Benfica (19) 55 Vitória de Setúbal 45 Sporting CP 43 16 30 Portugal Artur Jorge Benfica 27
  1972–73 Benfica (20) 58 Belenenses 40 Vitória de Setúbal 38 16 30 Portugal Eusébio Benfica 40
  1973–74 Sporting CP (14) 49 Benfica 47 Vitória de Setúbal 45 16 30 Argentina Héctor Yazalde Sporting CP 46
  1974–75 Benfica (21) 49 Porto 44 Sporting CP 43 16 30 Argentina Héctor Yazalde Sporting CP 30
  1975–76 Benfica (22) 50 Boavista 48 Belenenses 40 16 30 Portugal Rui Jordão Benfica 30
  1976–77 Benfica (23) 51 Sporting CP 42 Porto 41 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes Porto 26
  1977–78 Porto (6) 51 Benfica 51 Sporting CP 42 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes Porto 25
  1978–79 Porto (7) 50 Benfica 49 Sporting CP 42 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes Porto 27
  1979–80 Sporting CP (15) 52 Porto 50 Benfica 45 16 30 Portugal Rui Jordão Sporting CP 31
  1980–81 Benfica (24) 50 Porto 48 Sporting CP 37 16 30 Portugal Nené Benfica 20
  1981–82 Sporting CP (16) 46 Benfica 44 Porto 43 16 30 Portugal Jacques Pereira Porto 27
  1982–83 Benfica (25) 51 Porto 47 Sporting CP 42 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes Porto 36
  1983–84 Benfica (26) 52 Porto 49 Sporting CP 42 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes / Nené Porto / Benfica 21
  1984–85 Porto (8) 55 Sporting CP 47 Benfica 43 16 30 Portugal Fernando Gomes Porto 39
  1985–86 Porto (9) 49 Benfica 47 Sporting CP 46 16 30 Portugal Manuel Fernandes Sporting CP 30
  1986–87 Benfica (27) 48 Porto 46 Vitória de Guimarães 41 16 30 Brazil Paulinho Cascavel Vitória de Guimarães 22
  1987–88 Porto (10) 66 Benfica 51 Belenenses 48 20 38 BrazilPaulinho Cascavel Sporting CP 23
  1988–89 Benfica (28) 63 Porto 56 Boavista 49 20 38 Angola Vata Benfica 16
  1989–90 Porto (11) 59 Benfica 55 Sporting CP 46 18 34 Sweden Mats Magnusson Benfica 33
  1990–91 Benfica (29) 69 Porto 67 Sporting CP 57 20 38 Portugal Rui Águas Benfica 25
  1991–92 Porto (12) 56 Benfica 46 Boavista 44 18 34 Nigeria Ricky Boavista 30
  1992–93 Porto (13) 54 Benfica 52 Sporting CP 45 18 34 Portugal Jorge Cadete Sporting CP 18
  1993–94 Benfica (30) 54 Porto 52 Sporting CP 51 18 34 Nigeria Rashidi Yekini Vitória de Setúbal 21
  1994–95 Porto (14) 62 Sporting CP 53 Benfica 49 18 34 Morocco Hassan Nader Farense 21
  1995–96 Porto (15) 84 Benfica 73 Sporting CP 67 18 34 Portugal Domingos Paciência Porto 25
  1996–97 Porto (16) 85 Sporting CP 72 Benfica 58 18 34 Brazil Mário Jardel Porto 30
  1997–98 Porto (17) 77 Benfica 68 Vitória de Guimarães 59 18 34 Brazil Mário Jardel Porto 26
  1998–99 Porto (18) 79 Boavista 71 Benfica 65 18 34 Brazil Mário Jardel Porto 36
Primeira Liga
  1999–2000 Sporting CP (17) 77 Porto 73 Benfica 69 18 34 Brazil Mário Jardel Porto 37
  2000–01 Boavista 77 Porto 76 Sporting CP 62 18 34 Brazil Pena Porto 22
  2001–02 Sporting CP (18) 75 Boavista 70 Porto 68 18 34 Brazil Mário Jardel Sporting CP 42
  2002–03 Porto (19) 86 Benfica 75 Sporting CP 59 18 34 Senegal Fary Faye Beira-Mar 18
  2003–04 Porto (20) 82 Benfica 74 Sporting CP 73 18 34 South Africa Benni McCarthy Porto 20
  2004–05 Benfica (31) 65 Porto 62 Sporting CP 61 18 34 Brazil Liédson Sporting CP 25
  2005–06 Porto (21) 79 Sporting CP 72 Benfica 67 18 34 Cameroon Albert Meyong Belenenses 17
  2006–07 Porto (22) 69 Sporting CP 68 Benfica 67 16 30 Brazil Liédson Sporting CP 15
  2007–08 Porto (23) 75(1) Sporting CP 55 Vitória de Guimarães 53 16 30 Argentina Lisandro López Porto 24
  2008–09 Porto (24) 70 Sporting CP 66 Benfica 59 16 30 Brazil Nenê Nacional 20
  2009–10 Benfica (32) 76 Braga 71 Porto 68 16 30 Paraguay Óscar Cardozo Benfica 26
  2010–11 Porto (25) 84 Benfica 63 Sporting CP 48 16 30 Brazil Hulk Porto 23
  2011–12 Porto (26) 75 Benfica 69 Braga 62 16 30 Paraguay Óscar Cardozo Benfica 20
  2012–13 Porto (27) 78 Benfica 77 Paços de Ferreira 54 16 30 Colombia Jackson Martínez Porto 26
  2013–14 Benfica (33) 74 Sporting CP 67 Porto 61 16 30 Colombia Jackson Martínez Porto 20
  2014–15 Benfica (34) 85 Porto 82 Sporting CP 76 18 34 Colombia Jackson Martínez Porto 21
  2015–16 Benfica (35) 88 Sporting CP 86 Porto 73 18 34 Brazil Jonas Benfica 32
  2016–17 Benfica (36) 82 Porto 76 Sporting CP 70 18 34 Netherlands Bas Dost Sporting CP 34
  2017–18 Porto (28) 88 Benfica 81 Sporting CP 78 18 34 Brazil Jonas Benfica 34
  2018–19 Benfica (37) 87 Porto 85 Sporting CP 74 18 34 Switzerland Haris Seferovic Benfica 23
  2019–20 Porto (29) 82 Benfica 77 Braga 60 18 34 Brazil Carlos Vinícius Benfica 18
  2020–21 Sporting CP (19) 85 Porto 80 Benfica 76 18 34 Portugal Pedro Gonçalves Sporting CP 23
  2021–22 Porto (30) 91 Sporting CP 85 Benfica 74 18 34 Uruguay Darwin Núñez Benfica 26
  2022–23 Benfica (38) 87 Porto 85 Braga 78 18 34 Iran Mehdi Taremi Porto 22
  2023–24 Sporting CP (20) 90 Benfica 80 Porto 72 18 34 Sweden Viktor Gyökeres Sporting CP 29
  • Before the 1995–96 season, teams got 2 points for a win. Since then, they get 3 points for a win.
  • (1) Porto had 6 points taken away due to old issues, but they got those points back in July 2017.

Performance by Club

All the teams that have won the Primeira Liga come from either Lisbon or Porto.

Club Winners Runners-up Winning seasons Runner-up seasons
Benfica 38 30 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1949–50, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2022–23 1943–44, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2023–24
Porto 30 29 1934–35, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2021–22 1935–36, 1937–38, 1940–41, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1968–69, 1974–75, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23
Sporting CP 20 22 1940–41, 1943–44, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1957–58, 1961–62, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2020–21, 2023–24 1934–35, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1949–50, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1967–68, 1970–71, 1976–77, 1984–85, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2021–22
Boavista 01 03 2000–01 1975–76, 1998–99, 2001–02
Belenenses 01 03 1945–46 1936–37, 1954–55, 1972–73
Braga 00 01 — 2009–10
Vitória de Setúbal 00 01 — 1971–72
Académica 00 01 — 1966–67

All-Time Primeira Liga Table

The all-time Primeira Liga table shows the overall results of every team that has played in the league since 1934. It includes total points, games played, wins, draws, and losses. For fairness, older seasons' points have been updated to the current 3 points for a win system.

Pos Team S Pts GP W D L GF GA GD 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th T Debut Since/
Last App		 Best Notes
1 Benfica 90 5763 2568 1763 474 330 6188 2241 3947 38 30 17 4 – 1 90 1934–35 1934–35 1
2 Porto 90 5642 2568 1727 461 386 5690 2249 3441 30 29 14 11 3 1 88 1934–35 1934–35 1
3 Sporting CP 90 5345 2568 1606 527 435 5599 2424 3175 20 22 29 14 4 – 89 1934–35 1934–35 1
4 Vitória de Guimarães 79 3326 2358 923 557 878 3309 3296 13 – – 4 10 12 16 42 1941–42 2007–08 3
5 Belenenses 77 3158 2146 877 527 742 3352 2745 607 1 3 14 9 8 8 43 1934–35 2017–18 1
6 Braga 68 3003 2092 839 486 767 2908 2848 60 – 1 3 17 6 3 30 1947–48 1975–76 2
7 Vitória de Setúbal 72 2590 2072 694 508 870 2794 3119 -325 – 1 3 2 9 6 21 1934–35 2019–20 2
8 Boavista 61 2582 1874 700 482 692 2424 2598 -174 1 3 2 10 4 5 25 1935–36 2014–15 1
9 Académica 64 1935 1704 516 387 801 2346 3003 -657 – 1 – 2 6 8 17 1934–35 2015–16 2
10 Marítimo 43 1760 1414 472 383 559 1573 1805 -232 – – – – 6 5 11 1977–78 2022–23 5
11 Rio Ave 29 1128 942 284 276 382 989 1234 -245 – – – – 3 2 5 1979–80 2022–23 5
12 Estoril 29 1019 874 267 218 389 1162 1381 -219 – – – 2 3 – 5 1944–45 2021–22 4
13 Farense 25 925 822 239 208 375 873 1192 -319 – – – – 1 2 3 1970–71 2023–24 5
14 Paços de Ferreira 24 923 784 234 221 329 839 1106 -267 – – 1 – 1 2 4 1990–91 2022–23 3
15 Beira-Mar 27 896 858 218 242 398 883 1340 -457 – – – – – 1 1 1961–62 2012–13 6
16 Gil Vicente 23 868 774 223 199 352 794 1059 -265 – – – – 2 – 2 1990–91 2019–20 5
17 Nacional 20 802 656 210 172 274 773 917 -144 – – – 2 2 1 5 1988–89 2024–25 4
18 Portimonense 21 776 678 205 162 313 715 946 -231 – – – – 1 1 2 1976–77 2023–24 5
19 Salgueiros 24 774 740 197 183 360 804 1377 -573 – – – – 1 1 2 1943–44 2001–02 5
20 CUF Barreiro 23 769 610 207 148 255 828 1003 -175 – – 1 2 2 1 6 1942–43 1975–76 3
21 Leixões 25 713 670 183 164 323 750 1186 -436 – – – – 1 1 2 1936–37 2009–10 5
22 União de Leiria 18 711 584 184 159 241 620 771 -151 – – – – 2 2 4 1979–80 2011–12 5
23 Atlético CP 24 710 632 192 134 306 976 1285 -309 – – 2 1 1 3 7 1943–44 1976–77 3
24 Chaves 18 702 616 177 171 268 674 885 -211 – – – – 2 2 4 1985–86 2023–24 5
25 Varzim 21 683 618 169 176 273 638 913 -275 – – – – 1 1 2 1963–64 2002–03 5
26 Estrela da Amadora 17 641 574 151 188 235 554 733 -179 – – – – – – – 1988–89 2023–24 7
27 Barreirense 24 617 592 166 119 307 758 1195 -437 – – – 1 2 4 7 1937–38 1978–79 4
28 Olhanense 20 565 516 147 124 245 800 1057 -257 – – – 1 2 2 5 1941–42 2013–14 4
29 Moreirense 13 509 438 128 125 185 455 594 -139 – – – – – 2 2 2002–03 2023–24 6
30 Sporting da Covilhã 15 457 406 126 79 201 585 834 -249 – – – – 1 3 4 1947–48 1987–88 5
31 Penafiel 14 435 434 106 117 211 351 625 -274 – – – – – – – 1980–81 2014–15 10
32 Famalicão 11 426 306 109 99 158 419 584 -165 – – – – – 1 1 1946–47 2019–20 6
33 Lusitano de Évora 14 412 364 116 64 184 494 722 -228 – – – – 1 1 2 1952–53 1965–66 5
34 Sporting de Espinho 11 379 354 96 91 167 336 523 -187 – – – – – – – 1974–75 1996–97 7
35 Santa Clara 8 296 272 73 77 112 293 384 -91 – – – – – 1 1 1999–2000 2024–25 6
36 Arouca 7 276 234 72 60 102 254 328 -74 – – – – 2 – 2 2013–14 2021–22 5
37 Tirsense 8 268 256 65 73 118 219 370 -151 – – – – – – – 1967–68 1995–96 8
38 Tondela 7 235 238 61 52 125 251 378 -127 – – – – – – – 2015–16 2021–22 10
39 União da Madeira 6 206 208 48 62 98 177 300 -123 – – – – – – – 1989–90 2015–16 10
40 Naval 1º de Maio 6 193 184 49 46 89 160 255 -95 – – – – – – – 2005–06 2010–11 8
41 Oriental 7 187 190 50 37 103 224 438 -214 – – – – 1 – 1 1950–51 1974–75 5
42 Alverca 5 181 170 48 37 85 192 266 -74 – – – – – – – 1998–99 2003–04 11
43 Campomaiorense 5 178 170 48 34 88 186 287 -101 – – – – – – – 1995–96 2000–01 11
44 Feirense 7 175 222 44 43 135 187 403 -216 – – – – – – – 1962–63 2018–19 8
45 Torreense 6 163 164 44 31 89 183 316 -133 – – – – – – – 1955–56 1991–92 7
46 União de Tomar 6 162 172 43 33 96 178 331 -153 – – – – – – – 1968–69 1975–76 10
47 Desportivo das Aves 6 160 196 40 40 116 173 320 -147 – – – – – – – 1985–86 2019–20 13
48 O Elvas 5 148 146 37 37 72 211 283 -72 – – – – – – – 1947–48 1987–88 8
49 B-SAD 4 144 136 33 45 58 117 195 -78 – – – – – – – 2018–19 2021–22 9
50 Leça 4 124 124 33 25 66 120 231 -111 – – – – – – – 1941–42 1997–98 12
51 Vizela 4 118 132 27 37 68 138 243 -95 – – – – – – – 1984–85 2023–24 11
52 Académico de Viseu 4 105 128 27 24 77 81 237 -156 – – – – – – – 1978–79 1988–89 13
53 Caldas 4 103 104 26 25 53 124 235 -111 – – – – – – – 1955–56 1958–59 10
54 Montijo 3 89 90 23 20 47 91 155 -64 – – – – – – – 1972–73 1976–77 13
55 Amora 3 89 90 22 23 45 90 143 -53 – – – – – – – 1980–81 1982–83 12
56 Casa Pia 3 82 82 22 16 44 81 146 -65 – – – – – – – 1938–39 2022–23 8
57 Lusitano VRSA 3 72 78 21 9 48 94 210 -116 – – – – – – – 1947–48 1949–50 12
58 Sanjoanense 4 70 104 16 22 66 86 249 -163 – – – – – – – 1946–47 1968–69 10
59 Carcavelinhos 5 69 82 19 12 51 103 223 -120 – – – 1 – 1 2 1935–36 1941–42 4
60 Unidos de Lisboa 3 62 54 18 8 28 151 145 6 – – – 1 – – 1 1940–41 1942–43 4
61 Académico do Porto 5 60 82 18 6 58 137 300 -163 – – – – – – – 1934–35 1941–42 7
62 Elvas 2 54 48 17 3 28 108 167 -59 – – – – – – – 1945–46 1946–47 9
63 Fafe 1 41 38 9 14 15 29 47 -18 – – – – – – – 1988–89 1988–89 16
64 Felgueiras 1 33 34 8 9 17 29 47 -18 – – – – – – – 1995–96 1995–96 16
65 Seixal 2 29 52 7 8 37 44 150 -106 – – – – – – – 1963–64 1964–65 12
66 Riopele 1 27 30 6 9 15 23 51 -28 – – – – – – – 1977–78 1977–78 15
67 Águeda 1 26 30 7 5 18 25 55 -30 – – – – – – – 1983–84 1983–84 15
68 Trofense 1 23 30 5 8 17 25 42 -17 – – – – – – – 2008–09 2008–09 16
69 União de Coimbra 1 22 30 5 7 18 22 54 -32 – – – – – – – 1972–73 1972–73 15
70 Ginásio de Alcobaça 1 19 30 4 7 19 20 56 -36 – – – – – – – 1982–83 1982–83 16
71 União de Lisboa 1 11 14 3 2 9 30 49 -19 – – – – – 1 1 1934–35 1934–35 6
72 Oliveirense 1 11 22 3 2 17 22 73 -51 – – – – – – – 1945–46 1945–46 12
73 AVS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – – 2024–25 2024–25 TBD
A.  Never relegated.
B.  Renamed Fabril in 2000.
C.  Club ended football team in 2023. Successor club Olhanense 1912 was founded in 2023.
D.  Club folded in 2021.
E.  Club ended football team in 2017. Successor club Naval 1893 was founded in 2017.
F.  Club ended football team in 2013.
G.  Club ended football team in 2020. Successor club AVS was founded in 2023.
H.  Club folded in 2007. Successor club Olímpico Montijo was founded in 2007.
I.  Merged to form Atlético CP in 1942.
J.  Club ended football team in 2009.
K.  Club ended football team in 1964.
L.  Merged to form O Elvas in 1947.
M.  Club folded in 2005. Successor club Felgueiras 1932 was founded in 2006.
N.  Club folded in 1984.

Last updated: 2 June 2024

Primeira Liga
Liga Portugal 2
Liga 3
Campeonato de Portugal
Portuguese District Championships
Clubs no longer in competition

League Records

Team Records

  • In 1972–73, Benfica became the first team to win the league without losing a single game. They earned 58 points from 30 games. This was the best performance ever at that time.
  • Benfica also set a record for most wins in a row (23) between 1971–72 and 1972–73.
  • In 1977–78, Benfica finished the league without any losses for a second time.
  • In 1990–91, Benfica achieved the most wins in one season (32 out of 38 matches).
  • In 1998–99, Porto became the only team to win five league titles in a row.
  • In 2010–11, Porto won the league without losing a game. They earned 84 points from 30 games. This was the best performance under the 3-points-per-win system.
  • Porto also won the league by the biggest difference in points (21 points) in 2010–11.
  • In 2012–13, Porto won the league without losing for a second time.
  • In 2020–21, Sporting CP set a record for the longest unbeaten run in a single season, with 32 matches.
  • From November 2020 to April 2022, Porto set the record for the longest unbeaten run in the league overall: 58 matches.
  • In 2021–22, Porto reached a record 91 points in the league.

Individual Player Records

Most Appearances

This table shows the players with the most games played in the Primeira Liga.

Rank Player Appearances
1 Portugal Manuel Fernandes 486
2 Portugal António Sousa 484
3 Portugal João Vieira Pinto 476
4 Portugal Dinis Vital 442
5 Portugal António Veloso 437
6 Portugal Nené 422
Portugal Manuel Bento
8 Portugal Vítor Damas 416
9 Portugal João Pinto 408
10 Portugal Vítor Baía 406

Top Goal Scorers

This table shows the players who have scored the most goals in the Primeira Liga.

Rank Player Goals
1 Portugal Fernando Peyroteo 332
2 Portugal Eusébio 320
3 Portugal Fernando Gomes 319
4 Portugal José Águas 291
5 Portugal Nené 262
6 Portugal Manuel Fernandes 243
7 Portugal Matateu 219
8 Portugal José Torres 218
9 Portugal Arsénio Duarte 215
10 Portugal Rui Jordão 213

Player Transfer Fees

These tables show the highest amounts of money paid and received by Primeira Liga clubs for players.

Top transfer fees paid by Primeira Liga clubs
Rank Player Fee (min.) Date Transfer Reference(s)
1 Turkey Orkun Kökçü €25M 10 June 2023 Netherlands Feyenoord Benfica
2 Uruguay Darwin Núñez €24M 4 September 2020 Spain Almería Benfica
3 Mexico Raúl Jiménez €21.8M 21 July 2016 Spain Atlético Madrid Benfica
4 Democratic Republic of the Congo Giannelli Imbula €20M 1 July 2015 France Marseille Porto
Spain Óliver Torres 9 February 2017 Spain Atlético Madrid Porto
Spain Raúl de Tomás 3 July 2019 Spain Real Madrid Benfica
Germany Julian Weigl 2 January 2020 Germany Borussia Dortmund Benfica
Brazil Everton Soares 14 August 2020 Brazil Grêmio Benfica
Sweden Viktor Gyökeres 1 July 2023 England Coventry City Sporting CP
Brazil Arthur Cabral 10 August 2023 Italy Fiorentina Benfica
10 Brazil Hulk €19M 14 May 2011 Japan Tokyo Verdy Porto
Top transfer fees received by Primeira Liga clubs
Rank Player Fee (min.) Date Transfer Reference(s)
1 Portugal João Félix €126M 3 July 2019 Benfica Spain Atlético Madrid
2 Argentina Enzo Fernández €121M 31 January 2023 Benfica England Chelsea
3 Uruguay Darwin Nuñez €75M 13 June 2022 Benfica England Liverpool
4 Portugal Rúben Dias €68M 29 September 2020 Benfica England Manchester City
5 Portugal Gonçalo Ramos €65M 22 November 2023 Benfica France Paris Saint-Germain
6 Uruguay Manuel Ugarte €60M 7 July 2023 Sporting CP France Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal Otávio 22 August 2023 Porto Saudi Arabia Al Nassr
7 Portugal Bruno Fernandes €55M 29 January 2020 Sporting CP England Manchester United
8 Brazil Éder Militão €50M 14 March 2019 Porto Spain Real Madrid
9 Colombia Luis Díaz €45M 30 January 2022 Porto England Liverpool
Colombia James Rodríguez €45M 24 May 2013 Porto France Monaco
Portugal Matheus Nunes €45M 17 August 2022 Sporting CP England Wolverhampton Wanderers

Images for kids

  • Liga Portugal Betclic 2023

    The official logo of the Primeira Liga.

See also

  • LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year
  • Portuguese Golden Ball
  • SJPF Player of the Month
  • SJPF Young Player of the Month
  • CNID Footballer of the Year
  • Bola de Prata
  • Campeonato Nacional Feminino
  • List of sports attendance figures
  • List of association football competitions in Portugal
  • List of foreign Primeira Liga players
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