Big Three (Portugal)

Lore & Background

The Big Three clubs have established a hegemony such that the vast majority of Portuguese fans support one of them, often ahead of their local team. This results in the Big Three having the highest average attendance each season in the Primeira Liga, while other teams suffer from poor attendances, with the exception of Vitória de Guimarães. The Portuguese press is often accused of failing to fulfil any criteria of equality with other clubs, contributing to the monopoly of the Big Three. During the 2010/11 season, 30 percent of matches had fewer than 2,000 spectators.

Reader's Guide

The Big Three's significance lies in their near-total control of Portuguese football. They have won all but two league titles, with Belenenses (1945–46) and Boavista (2000–01) being the only outsiders. Benfica and Porto are the only Portuguese teams to have won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, each on two occasions; Sporting's best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 1983 and 2026. Their rivalry has generated popular nicknames: Benfica fans are called 'benfiquistas' or 'encarnados' (and 'lampiões' by rivals), Sporting fans are 'sportinguistas' or 'leões' (called 'lagartos'), and Porto supporters are 'portistas' or 'dragões' (nicknamed 'andrades' and 'tripeiros'). The clubs have also shared players and managers: eight footballers have played for all three, including Eurico Gomes, who won the domestic league with each, and four managers have coached all three, such as Otto Glória and Fernando Santos. Their impact on society includes a serious attendance problem for other clubs, though average attendances rose in the mid-2010s due to improvements at several stadiums.

Did You Know?

• Only two clubs outside the Big Three have won the Portuguese league: Belenenses (1945–46) and Boavista (2000–01).
• Eight footballers have played for Benfica, Porto, and Sporting; Eurico Gomes is the only one to have won the domestic league with all three.