Campeonato de Portugal 2026/27 season schedule and format unveiled

The Portuguese Football Federation announced a new competition format for the 2026/27 Campeonato de Portugal. The tournament will again be split into four series in its first phase, with the top two teams from each series earning promotion to Liga 3. Teams finishing 3rd to 10th remain in the competition, while the 13th and 14th placed clubs are automatically relegated to district leagues. Teams placed 11th and 12th enter a maintenance playoff for a chance to stay.

The season starts on 16 August. In Series 4, local clubs Juventude Sport Clube and Grupo Desportivo de Portel will open the campaign at home. A district derby between the two is scheduled for 6 September, with a return match on 30 January. The updated schedule outlines 26 matchdays across the four series.

These changes aim to streamline promotion and relegation pathways and boost regional interest in Portuguese lower‑division football.