O Grande Benfica
The home of As Águias and Os Encarnados.
Sport Lisboa e Benfica is a professional football club based in Lisbon, Portugal, competing in the Primeira Liga. Founded on 28 February 1904 as Sport Lisboa, it merged with Grupo Sport Benfica on 13 September 1908 to become Sport Lisboa e Benfica. The club is nicknamed As Águias (The Eagles) and Os Encarnados (The Reds). Since 2003, their home ground has been the Estádio da Luz. Benfica is the most supported Portuguese club and had an estimated 14 million supporters worldwide in 2006; by February 2025, it reached 400,000 club members, making them the largest sports club in the world by membership at that time.
- Stadium
- Estádio da Luz
- Founded
- 1904
- Nickname
- As Águias, Os Encarnados
- Colors
- Red and White
- Location
- Lisbon, Portugal
- League Titles
- 38
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Benfica won back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962, unique feats in Portuguese football. They hold a record 38 Primeira Liga titles and a record 26 Taça de Portugal wins. In the 1970–71 season, they became the first undefeated champions in domestic league history with 29 consecutive wins. Eusébio remains the only player to win the Ballon d'Or for a Portuguese club. The club's motto is 'E pluribus unum' (Out of many, one).
In Their Own Story
On 28 February 1904, twenty-four people met at Farmácia Franco on Rua Direita de Belém to form Sport Lisboa with red and white colours and an eagle symbol. In May 1907, eight players moved to Sporting CP, starting a major rivalry. By 1950, Benfica won the Latin Cup, the first international trophy for a Portuguese club. The original Estádio da Luz opened in 1954 with 40,000 seats and expanded to 70,000 by 1960.
Reader's Guide
The current Estádio da Luz replaced the larger original one built in 1954. Fans are called benfiquistas, singing the anthem 'Ser Benfiquista'. The club holds ten European finals, a domestic record ranked seventh all-time among UEFA clubs as of 2014. They hold the Portuguese record for most consecutive wins in domestic league (29). Benfica was voted 12th in FIFA Club of the Century.
Did You Know?
- Benfica reached 400,000 club members in February 2025, making them the largest sports club in the world by membership at that time.
- Eusébio is the only player to win the Ballon d'Or for a Portuguese club.
- In 1965–66, Benfica achieved the overall record for the biggest aggregate win in the UEFA Champions League (formerly European Cup).
- Benfica was the last Portuguese club to admit foreign players into their team, doing so in 1979.
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