Sporting and Benfica Kick Off Title Defenses at Home in New Handball Season

The 2026/27 season of the Portuguese handball league, now known as the Liga Betclic, is set to commence on August 29th, with both reigning champions Sporting CP and SL Benfica scheduled to begin their title defenses on home soil. This upcoming season introduces significant changes, including new formats for both the men’s and women’s competitions and a new title sponsor.

The draw for the new season was held in Maia, revealing a restructured format designed to enhance competition and engagement. In the men’s league, after a regular season involving 12 teams playing a double round-robin, the top six teams will advance to Group A to compete for the national title and European qualification spots. The remaining six teams will form Group B, battling to avoid relegation.

Por que importa

This new structure contrasts with the previous format, which divided the 12 teams into three groups of four in the final phase. The introduction of Group A and Group B aims to create more defined objectives for teams throughout the latter stages of the season. Points accumulated in the regular season will be halved entering the final phase, with classification in the first phase serving as a tie-breaker.

The bottom-placed team in Group B will be automatically relegated, while the second-to-last team will face a two-legged playoff against the second-placed team from the second division for a spot in the top flight.

Contexto

Key facts
| Competition | Start Date | New Sponsor | Men’s League Format Change | Women’s League Format Change |
| :———- | :——— | :———- | :————————- | :————————— |
| Liga Betclic | August 29, 2026 | Betclic | Two final groups (A & B) | Promotion/relegation playoff |

Sporting CP, the three-time consecutive national champions, will host Santo Tirso in their opening fixture. Other matches in the first round of the men’s league include Carvalhos vs. Marítimo, Belenenses vs. V. Guimarães, ABC de Braga vs. Póvoa, Avanca vs. FC Porto, and Benfica vs. Águas Santas Milaneza.

In the women’s national championship, also branded as Liga Betclic, five-time champions SL Benfica will welcome Feirense to their home court. The opening round for the women’s league will also feature Madeira SAD vs. Almeida Garrett, Gil Eanes vs. Alavarium, ABC de Braga vs. São Pedro do Sul, and Juventude Lis vs. Leça.

The women’s competition will mirror the men’s with the introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff, aiming to increase competitive intensity. This change is part of a broader effort to elevate the technical level and overall quality of the league.

Miguel Fernandes, Vice-President of the Portuguese Handball Federation (FAP), explained that the format alterations stem from extensive dialogue with the clubs and an evaluation of the past three seasons. He expressed optimism that the new model will lead to a more balanced and competitive league, enhancing the skills of players and teams.

Fernandes also highlighted the introduction of the playoff system as a key factor in boosting competitive interest, noting that it provides an extra layer of excitement with the possibility of last-minute promotions and relegations, ensuring that outcomes are always decided on the court.

The new partnership with Betclic represents a significant investment in the sport over the next three years, with funds also allocated to the national teams to support their development. This commercial agreement is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of handball in Portugal.

The development matters for FootballGames10 readers as it signifies the start of a new season for major European handball clubs, offering insights into league structures, team movements, and the competitive landscape of Portuguese handball.

Source: A Bola Futebol – https://www.abola.pt/noticias/campeoes-sporting-e-benfica-comecam-a-defender-titulo-em-casa-2026071623070025189

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