Liga Portugal 2 2026/27

Liga Portugal 2 serves as the second tier of professional football in Portugal, operating directly beneath the Primeira Liga. While the first division attracts global attention, this competition maintains a distinct identity through its organizational structure and the specific challenges faced by participants. The league was established in 1990, initially named Segunda Divisão de Honra, before coming under the management of the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional (LPFP) in 1999. This transition marked the beginning of various rebranding efforts, eventually settling on the current name in 2020.

The season follows a double round-robin format, requiring each of the 18 clubs to play 34 matches. The stakes are defined by a clear promotion and relegation pathway. The top two teams secure automatic advancement to the top flight. The third-placed side enters a playoff against the 16th-placed team from the Primeira Liga for the final promotion place. Conversely, the bottom two teams face immediate descent to Liga 3, while the 16th-placed team in Liga Portugal 2 engages in a relegation playoff against the Liga 3 champion.

A unique characteristic of this league is the presence of reserve squads from top-tier clubs. Teams such as Benfica B, FC Porto B, and Sporting CP B compete alongside senior sides. These reserve teams operate under strict regulations: they are ineligible for promotion to the Primeira Liga, even if they finish in a direct promotion spot, and cannot participate in promotion playoffs. However, they remain subject to relegation. If a 'B' team finishes in a relegation position, or if its parent club is relegated to the same division, the reserve team is also relegated. This system ensures that while these squads can gain valuable experience, they do not disrupt the primary hierarchy of Portuguese football.

Historical success in the competition has been shared among several clubs. Paços de Ferreira holds the record with four titles, followed by Rio Ave, Estoril, and Moreirense with three each. The current champion is Marítimo.