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Wikipedia - Liga Portugal 2
The Liga Portugal 2 (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈliɣɐ puɾtuˈɣal dojʃ]), also known as Liga Portugal Meu Super for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division of the Portuguese football league system. At the end of each season, the two top-finishing teams are promoted to the top-tier Liga Portugal and the two lowest-ranked teams are relegated to the third-tier league. Starting with the 2021–22 season, relegated teams will no longer compete in the Campeonato de Portugal, which will become the fourth tier, but in a newly created third-level competition named Liga 3 (League 3).
The division began in 1990 as the Segunda Divisão de Honra (Second Division of Honour), a unified national tier, superseding the regionalized Segunda Divisão (Second Division) as the second tier of Portuguese football. When the division came under the auspices of the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional (LPFP) in 1999, it was renamed the Segunda Liga (Second League), a name that was kept until 2016, except between 2005 and 2012, when it was known as the Liga de Honra (League of Honour). Rebranded as LigaPro in 2016, the competition assumed its current naming in the early stages of the 2020–21 season.
As of the 2018–19 season, it is contested nationwide by 18 teams, including the reserve sides (B teams) of several top-flight clubs. Twenty different teams have won the division title; the most successful is Paços de Ferreira, with four wins, including the inaugural season and the most recently concluded 2018–19 season.
History
Before 1990, there was only one professional nationwide football league in Portugal, the Primeira Divisão (First Division). Lower placed teams were relegated to the Segunda Divisão (Second Division), a regional league, while the top teams from that league were promoted to the First Division. Starting with the 1990–91 season, a new second-tier professional league was created, taking the name Segunda Divisão de Honra, while the previous Segunda Divisão became the third-tier league and was renamed Segunda Divisão B.
In 1999, the Portuguese League for Professional Football (LPFP) took control of the two nationwide levels and renamed the league Segunda Liga (Second League), while in 2005 it was renamed Liga de Honra and the Segunda Divisão B reverted to its original name. In 2012, the second tier of Portuguese football was renamed again Segunda Liga and in 2016 it was renamed LigaPro.
The tournament typically runs from August to May, with each team playing a total of 34 matches in a round-robin format. The league consists of 18 teams, with the top teams earning promotion to the Primeira Liga, while the bottom teams face relegation to the Campeonato de Portugal, the third tier of Portuguese football.
The Segunda Liga is known for its passionate fan base, vibrant matchday atmospheres, and the potential for thrilling upsets, making it an exciting competition for both players and supporters alike. It also serves as a vital stepping stone for young players looking to make their mark in professional football, as many clubs prioritize youth development and scouting.
With a rich history and a commitment to fostering talent, the Portugal Segunda Liga continues to play an essential role in the landscape of Portuguese football, contributing to the growth and evolution of the sport in the country.