Liga 3 (Portugal)

Liga 3
Organising bodyFPF
Founded2021; 3 years ago (2021)
CountryPortugal
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams20 (since 2023–24)
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toLiga Portugal 2
Relegation toCampeonato de Portugal
Domestic cup(s)Taça de Portugal
Current championsAlverca (1st title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsTorreense
União de Leiria
Alverca (1 title)
Current: 2024–25 Liga 3

The Liga 3 is the third-level football league in the Portuguese football league system, starting in 2021–22. It is a semiprofessional national league organized by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).[1]

The creation of this league is part of a restructuring of the Portuguese third tier, with Campeonato de Portugal, which saw the number of teams reduced, being relegated to fourth tier and the top teams competing there advancing to this new competition. In its first season, a total of 24 teams competed in the Liga 3, 2 of which were relegated from 2020–21 Liga Portugal 2 and 22 others which were promoted from 2020–21 Campeonato de Portugal. This number is set to be reduced to 20 teams from the 2023–24 season.[2][3][4]

  1. ^ "Liga 3 arranca esta sexta-feira. Tudo o que precisa de saber sobre a nova competição do futebol português - Renascença". Rádio Renascença (in European Portuguese). 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  2. ^ "Plano de reestruturação para o terceiro escalão". FPF (in European Portuguese). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Conhecido o formato da Liga 3". FPF (in European Portuguese). 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Everything You Need to Know About Liga 3". Próxima Jornada. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.