The 2026-2027 Liga Portugal alendar is now known. Released in early July during the Kick-Off event at the Arena Liga Portugal, the Portuguese league season will begin on August 7th, 2026. Reigning champions FC Porto will start the defence of their title at home against Alverca. Benfica will also begin in front of their own supporters against Académico de Viseu, while Sporting CP travel to Estrela da Amadora.
The regular season will finish end the weekend of May 16th, 2027, before the relegation play-offs, scheduled for late May and early June.
- Key dates in the Portuguese football calendar
- The biggest classics to watch
- The 18 Liga Portugal clubs
- Liga Portugal 2026-2027 FAQ
Key Dates in the 2026-2027 Portuguese Football Calendar
- Opening matchday: weekend of August 8th and 9th, 202
- January return: matchday 17, weekend of January 10th, 2027
- Final matchday: weekend of May 16th, 2027
- Play-offs: May 29th and June 6th, 2027
Liga Portugal keeps its familiar 18-club, 34-matchday format. Each team will face the other 17 sides home and away before the final verdict in mid-May.
Opening Weekend of the 2026-2027 Liga Portugal Season
Estoril Praia vs Famalicão will officially open the competition on Friday, August 7th at 8:15pm.
FC Porto, the reigning Portuguese champions, will begin their campaign at the Dragão against FC Alverca. Benfica will host Académico de Viseu, a promoted side returning to the top level, while Sporting CP start away to Estrela da Amadora.
The opening round will also feature an interesting meeting between Moreirense and Braga, as well as an island-flavoured clash between Santa Clara and Nacional.
International Breaks
Like the other major European leagues, Liga Portugal will be shaped by the international windows in autumn and spring.
The first major break will come after matchday 7, the round of FC Porto vs Benfica, scheduled around the weekend of September 20th. The league will return in October with matchday 8, featuring another major clash: SC Braga vs Sporting CP.
A second pause will take place in November, before a very busy end to the year. The final international break will arrive in spring, before an April that could already prove decisive in the title race and the fight for European places.
The Festive Period and the January Return
Liga Portugal will not stop completely before Christmas. Matchday 16, scheduled around December 27th, will even feature one of the most anticipated matches of the season: Benfica vs Sporting CP.
The January restart will be just as fiery. Matchday 17, scheduled around January 10th, 2027, includes SC Braga vs FC Porto, a fixture that could carry major weight near the top of the table.
Final Matchday of the 2026-2027 Liga Portugal Season
The final matchday will take place over the weekend of May 16th, 2027. Benfica will finish at home against Arouca, FC Porto host Braga, while Sporting will already have played their second Lisbon derby against Benfica on matchday 33.
FC Porto vs SC Braga on the final weekend could become one of the biggest games of the season, especially if both clubs are still involved in the fight for Europe, or perhaps even more.
Liga Portugal Matches Not to Miss
O Clássico: FC Porto vs Benfica
This remains the great classic of Portuguese football. Porto against Benfica is more than a match: it is a national, sporting, historical and emotional rivalry.
The first encounteur of the season will arrive as early as matchday 7. FC Porto will host Benfica at the Dragão in a fixture that should already reveal something about the balance of power at the top of Portuguese football.
The return match will take place on matchday 24, with Benfica hosting Porto at the Estádio da Luz.
Lisbon Derby: Benfica vs Sporting CP
The Lisbon derby has a particularly intriguing place in the calendar. Benfica will host Sporting on matchday 16, around December 27th. The return match is scheduled at Alvalade on matchday 33, only one week before the end of the championship.
That second meeting could become a turning point. If both clubs are still fighting for the title or Champions League qualification, the derby at Alvalade could feel like a final.
FC Porto vs Sporting CP
The first meeting between Porto and Sporting will take place at the Dragão on matchday 12. The return fixture is scheduled at Alvalade on matchday 29. These two matches could prove crucial. The reigning champions will want to impose their authority, while Sporting will be determined to confirm their status as major title contenders.
SC Braga vs Vitória SC
This derby has a flavour of its own: local proximity, regional pride, intense stands and a rivalry that always raises the temperature. The first Minho derby arrives early in the season, on matchday 4. Braga will host Vitória SC in a fixture that is never only about the league table.
Benfica vs SC Braga
Benfica will host Braga on matchday 14, around December 13th. The timing gives this fixture strategic importance, arriving just before the most congested part of the Portuguese football calendar.
SC Braga vs FC Porto
The clash between Braga and Porto is scheduled on matchday 17, around January 10th, 2027, before an explosive return match on the final day at the Dragão.
The position of this fixture in the calendar is perfect for drama. Depending on both teams’ form, the final meeting could be crucial for the title race and European places.
The 18 Clubs in Liga Portugal 2026-2027
FC Porto will begin the season as Portuguese champions. The Dragons will aim to defend their title, but Sporting CP, Benfica and Braga all have strong arguments to reopen the title race.
Behind the four leading names, Vitória SC, Famalicão, Gil Vicente, Moreirense, Rio Ave, Arouca and Estoril will look to settle in the upper or middle section of the table.
The season will also feature the return of several historic or popular clubs, including Marítimo, Académico de Viseu and Alverca, all of whom will try to secure their place in the top flight.
- Reigning champions: FC Porto
- Qualified for the Champions League league phase: FC Porto
- Qualified for the Champions League: Sporting CP
- Qualified for the Europa League qualifying rounds: Benfica
- Qualified for the Conference League qualifying rounds: SC Braga
- Promoted / returning clubs: Académico de Viseu, Marítimo, FC Alverca
Liga Portugal 2026-2027 FAQ
The 2026-2027 Liga Portugal Betclic season begins over the weekend of August 8th and 9th, 2026. Estoril Praia vs FC Famalicão will open the season on Friday, August 7th at 8:15pm.
The final matchday of the Portuguese championship will take place over the weekend of May 16th, 2027. The relegation play-offs will then be played on May 29th and June 6th, 2027.
The first Clássico between FC Porto and Benfica will take place on matchday 7, around the weekend of September 20th, 2026.
Benfica will host Sporting CP on matchday 16, around December 27th, 2026. The return match will take place at Alvalade on matchday 33, around May 9th, 2027.
FC Porto will host Sporting CP on matchday 12. The return fixture will be played at Alvalade on matchday 29.
Académico de Viseu, Marítimo and FC Alverca are among the clubs joining Liga Portugal Betclic for the 2026-2027 season.
FC Porto and Sporting CP will play in the Champions League. Benfica will enter the Europa League qualifying rounds, while Braga will take part in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
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Article updated on August 8th, 2026
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