Liga 3 (Portugal)

The Liga 3 is the third-level football league in the Portuguese football league system, starting in 2021–22. It is a professional national league organized by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

Liga 3
Organising bodyFPF
Founded2021 (2021)
CountryPortugal
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams24 (20 in 2023–24)
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toLiga Portugal 2
Relegation toCampeonato de Portugal
Domestic cup(s)Taça de Portugal
Current championsTorreense (1st title)
(2021–22)
Most championshipsTorreense (1 title)
Current: 2022–23 Liga 3

The creation of this league is part of a restructuring of the Portuguese third tier, with Campeonato de Portugal, which saw the number of teams reduced, being relegated to fourth tier and the top teams competing there advancing to this new competition. In its first season, a total of 24 teams competed in the Liga 3, 2 of which were relegated from 2020–21 Liga Portugal 2 and 22 others which were promoted from 2020–21 Campeonato de Portugal. This number is set to be reduced to 20 teams for the 2023–24 season.[1][2][3]

Format

This competition consists of a first stage with all the teams then proceed to a promotion or relegation series depending on their performance.[4]

First Stage

In the first stage, the 24 clubs are divided in two series (Serie A and B) of 12 teams, according to geographic criteria. In each series, teams play against each other in a home-and-away double round-robin system. The four best-placed teams of the two series will advance to the promotion series and bottom 8 teams will proceed to the relegation series.

Promotion Stage

The eight qualified teams are divided in two series of 4 teams, playing against each other in a home-and-away double round-robin system. The winners of each series will be automatically promoted to Liga Portugal 2 and will face each other in a neutral venue to determine the champion. The second best placed teams will face each other in a playoff, whose winner will face the 16th placed of Liga Portugal 2 for the last spot in Liga Portugal 2. On this stage teams will be divided as follows.

Promotion Series
Serie 1Serie 2
1st A1st B
2nd B2nd A
3rd B3rd A
4th A4th B

Relegation Stage

The bottom 8 teams are divided in four series of 4 teams, playing against each other in a home-and-away double round-robin system. To account for their performance in the first stage, teams will start with bonification points, with 5th placed teams starting with 8 points and 12th placed teams starting with 1. The bottom teams of each series will be relegated to Campeonato de Portugal.

Relegation Series
Serie 1Serie 2Serie 3Serie 4
5th A6th A5th B6th B
7th A8th A7th B8th B
9th A10th A9th B10th B
11th A12th A11th B12th B

Seasons - league tables
Decade
2020s: — 2021–22 2022–23

List of champions
Season Championship Final
Champions Score Runners-up Final venue
2021–22 Torreense 1–1 (a.e.t.), (5–4 p) Oliveirense Estádio Nacional, Jamor

Performance by club
Club Winners Runners-up Winning seasons Runner-up seasons
Torreense 1 0 2021–22 –
Oliveirense 0 1 – 2021–22


See also

References
  1. "Plano de reestruturação para o terceiro escalão". FPF (in European Portuguese). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  2. "Conhecido o formato da Liga 3". FPF (in European Portuguese). 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  3. "Everything You Need to Know About Liga 3". Próxima Jornada. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  4. "Como vai funcionar a Liga 3? Eis a explicação". Zero Zero (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-05-29.
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