Who Can Win the 2026-27 Liga Portugal Title?
The 2026-27 Liga Portugal season is shaping up to be another thrilling three-way battle between FC Porto, Sporting CP, and Benfica.
Porto enters as the defending champion, Sporting hopes to reclaim the title after another strong campaign, and Benfica looks ready to build on an unbeaten league season that still ended without the trophy. Each of Portugal’s traditional powers has made key additions while also dealing with important departures, leaving the title race wide open.
FC Porto Enter as the Favorites
FC Porto begins the new season as the team to beat after winning last year’s Liga Portugal title while losing only two league matches. Francisco Farioli’s side has already added another trophy by defeating second-division side SCU Torreense in the Portuguese Super Cup.
The squad has been strengthened with the arrival of South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom from Feyenoord, while one of the club’s brightest stars continues to attract international attention.
Twenty-year-old Victor Froholdt scored the winning goal in the Super Cup and is now considered one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders. With a reported €100 million release clause, several Premier League clubs are already monitoring his situation.
In attack, Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa remains Porto’s biggest goal threat after scoring 13 goals in just 20 league appearances last season. Behind him, goalkeeper Diogo Costa once again provides stability after recording the league’s best goalkeeping statistics. With an experienced core and impressive depth, Porto appears well equipped to defend its title.
Sporting CP Still Have Plenty of Firepower
Sporting CP finished second last season despite also losing only two league matches. The Lisbon club continues to rely on Colombian striker Luis Suárez, who finished as Liga Portugal’s top scorer with 28 goals in 32 appearances. Although he struggled during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he remains one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.
Sporting also secured the future of Uruguayan winger Maxi Araújo, extending his contract through 2030 with an €80 million release clause. Since arriving at the club, Araújo has scored 11 goals and helped Sporting win two major trophies.
The biggest challenge for Sporting will be replacing key departures. Midfielder Morten Hjulmand joined Atlético Madrid in a deal worth around €40 million, while 19-year-old prospect Geovany Quenda completed a €52 million move to Chelsea.
Still, Sporting heads into the new campaign with confidence after winning all five preseason friendlies, including an impressive 7-0 victory over Strasbourg. Having won back-to-back league titles in 2024 and 2025, the club knows exactly what it takes to finish on top.
Benfica Look Ready to Challenge Again
Benfica may have finished third last season, but no team proved harder to beat. The Eagles completed the entire league campaign undefeated and finished just two points behind Sporting.
The squad welcomes defender Clément Lenglet on a free transfer and Polish forward Jakub Kamiński after his successful spell with Köln. However, Benfica also lost two important defenders, with Antonio Silva joining AFC Bournemouth and captain Nicolás Otamendi returning to River Plate.
One of the club’s biggest successes this summer was keeping Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis. The 27-year-old scored 30 goals last season and has already started the new campaign in sensational form, netting four goals against St. Gallen as Benfica advanced to the next round of Europa League qualifying with a 6-1 aggregate victory.
Benfica has not lifted the Liga Portugal trophy since 2023, but after an unbeaten domestic campaign and a strong start to the new season, the Eagles appear ready to challenge once again.
With Porto defending its crown, Sporting boasting the league’s top scorer, and Benfica carrying strong momentum, the 2026-27 Liga Portugal title race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
