Portugal Championship. Second Division. Women
The Portugal Women's Second Division Championship (Campeonato de Portugal Feminino, 2ª Divisão) is a cornerstone of the nation's women's football pyramid. It features clubs from across Portugal, fostering talent development and promotion battles. Relaunched in its current form in 2019 by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the league hosted 24 teams in the 2023/24 season, split into four groups of six, delivering intense regional rivalries and a packed schedule.
History and foundation
Dating back to the 1980s amid the rise of women's football in Portugal, the division evolved significantly with the 2016 launch of the professional First League. Standout stories include underdogs like CF Benfica and Boavista FC Women climbing through its ranks. In 2021, Torreense Women clinched Serie A with a razor-thin margin; 2022 saw Sporting CP B dominate. A quirky note: the 2020 COVID-19 disruptions shortened the season but boosted women's football interest by 30%, per FPF stats, strengthening grassroots support.
Tournament format
The format emphasizes regional play: 24 teams form four series (A–D), each playing a single round-robin (10–11 matches per team). Serie winners advance to playoffs for two First League spots, with 3rd/4th placers vying for one more. Bottom teams face relegation to the Third Division. Running August to May with a winter break, it skips VAR, prioritizing referee training and raw competition in survival and promotion fights.
Interesting facts
Scoring is lively, averaging 3.2 goals per game in 2023/24, spiking to 4.5 in Series B and C due to bold attacking play. Top scorers: Jessica Silva (Torreense, 22 goals in promotion year), Maria Costa (Benfica B, 19), Ana Juanita (Boavista, 17). Standout players: Tatiana Silva, Rio Ave's 2020 leader now in the top flight; teen sensation Sofia Jacob (Famalicão B), 15 goals at 19. Scouts from Benfica and Sporting flock here for Portugal national team prospects.