Supporters of S.L. Benfica

Lore & Background

The supporters of Benfica have played an important part in the club's growth during its existence. One of those cases was in the early days of the construction of the original Estádio da Luz, when club president Joaquim Ferreira Bogalho asked them for free concrete to build the stadium. They responded by offering 900,000 tons. During the Portuguese Estado Novo, the Censorship Services prohibited national newspapers from referring to the football team as (Reds), so it was not confused with communism. Instead, the team was referred to as (Flesh-coloured), which is still used, even after the transition to democracy.

Reader's Guide

Benfica supporters can vary from regular ones, who do not possess any formal membership with the club, to club members, who may be eligible to vote in the club's presidential elections and other matters. In addition, there are Benfica Houses, which are fan clubs affiliated with the club. In 2005, club president Luís Filipe Vieira implemented an aggressive membership campaign with the intent of reaching 300,000 members. From roughly 95,000 members in 2000, the club reached 160,000 in 2006 – a Guinness World record back then – only one year after the beginning of the campaign. After Benfica's scheduled renumbering of members in 2015, the number decreased from 247,859 to 156,916 members, with the club losing roughly 35% of its paying associates. By October 2021, Benfica had over 250,000 members, of which 115,681 were eligible to vote in club elections.

Did You Know?

• According to research conducted by UEFA, Benfica are the best supported team in Portugal, with 47% of the total number of supporters.
• Benfica supporters pay from €100 to €160 annually to be club members.
• The first affiliate was Sport Lisboa e Portalegre, created by Leopoldo José Mocho, a club player at that time.
• The first supporters' group in Portugal, Juve Leo, was created in 1976.
• Diabos Vermelhos were created on 11 November 1982 and are located in the north corner of the Estádio da Luz.