Teams
Sporting Women
Clube de Albergaria Women
Braga Women
Valadares Gaia FC Women
Maritimo Women
Lank FC Vilaverdense Women
Estoril Praia Women
CA Ouriense Women
Benfica Women
Famalicao Women
SCU Torreense Women
SF Damaiense Women
CF Benfica Women
A-dos-Francos Women
Amora Women
Boavista Women
AD Ovarense Women
UR Cadima Women
Racing Power Women
Gil Vicente FC Women
Clube Condeixa Women
Varzim Women
Ferreirense Women
Quintajense FC Women
Atletico CP Women
Fiaes SC Women
Belenenses Women
Rio Ave Women
Vitoria SC Women
Viseu 2001 ADSC Women
Wikipedia - Campeonato Nacional Feminino
The Campeonato Nacional Feminino (English: Women's National Championship), also known as Liga BPI for sponsorship reasons, is the top-tier women's association football league in Portugal. It is run by the Portuguese Football Federation and began in 1993. An initial ten teams compete in the league, which replaced the Taça Nacional as the highest level of women's football in Portugal. The current champions are Benfica, who won their fourth consecutive title in 2023–24. The most successful team is S.U. 1º de Dezembro, with 12 titles.
History
One of the first women's football national championship in Portugal began in 1985, under the title Taça Nacional. It included all clubs interested in participating and comprised two stages, in the first stage clubs were divided in different zone groups with the top clubs from each zone advancing to the second stage to decide the champion. Boavista dominated this competition, winning all its eight editions. The competition was renamed Campeonato Nacional for the 1993–94 season though keeping the same format. On the 1998–99 season, more matches were added to the competition as clubs not advancing to the championship stage played would play again between them. In 2001, the UEFA Women's Cup was created with the previous season winners of this competition qualifying to play on it. The Portuguese cup started on the 2003–04 season with all clubs competing on it.
In 2005, the Campeonato Nacional II Divisão was created, leaving only the top 6 teams on the first tier, each one playing the others 4 times with the bottom team being relegated. The competition was expanded for the 2009–10 season to 10 teams, playing each other twice, with top clubs advancing to a championship group and bottom teams to a relegation group. A supercup, played between the championship winners and cup winners, started in 2015.
For the 2016–17, the Portuguese Football Federation granted direct entrance to the first tier to four Primeira Liga teams, with Sporting CP, Braga, Estoril and CF Os Belenenses taking the spots. This teams had to keep the women's team for at least three seasons and introduce Under-19 sides to promote youth football. This way, Sporting CP and Braga became the first professional women's football teams in Portugal. That same season, the format was reverted to a single stage, where the 14 teams (reduced to 12 on the following season) play each other twice. The league cup was introduced for the 2019–20 season with teams qualifying through mid-season standings on the championship. That season was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal with no title awarded and no teams relegated. This was the first time no title was awarded since the creation of the competition. This led to a total of 20 teams on the first tier on the following season, requiring a format change for that season, with a first stage where teams are divided in two groups playing each other once with top teams advancing to a championship group and bottom teams to relegation groups.
The league features a competitive format, with teams battling it out over a season that typically runs from late summer to spring. Clubs from diverse regions participate, representing both urban centers and smaller towns, fostering a sense of community and pride. The tournament not only highlights the athletic prowess of the players but also aims to inspire the next generation of female soccer stars.
Matches are held in various stadiums, drawing passionate fans who support their local teams. The league has seen significant growth in popularity, with increasing media coverage and sponsorship, reflecting the rising interest in women's sports.
The "Portugal Campeonato Nacional Women" serves as a vital platform for players to showcase their skills, with many aspiring to represent the national team. As the league continues to evolve, it plays a crucial role in advancing women's soccer in Portugal, promoting equality in sports, and encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams on the pitch.