Who Owns Benfica?

Benfica was founded in 1904 as Sport Lisboa e Benfica by a group of people led by Cosme Damião. The club was established as a sports association and quickly grew to become one of Portugal's most popular and successful institutions. This founding as a community-based sports association established Benfica's distinctive identity as a club that would serve its members and community rather than external investors, creating a tradition of democratic governance and supporter ownership that would define the club's character throughout its history.

The club experienced its greatest period of success in the 1960s under coach Béla Guttmann, winning back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962. This golden era established Benfica as one of Europe's elite teams and created a legendary status in Portuguese football. This remarkable achievement of winning Europe's most prestigious club competition demonstrated Benfica's ability to compete at the highest level of European football while establishing the club among the elite of European football history.

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Benfica has maintained its dominance in Portuguese football, winning numerous Primeira Liga titles and domestic cups. The club has developed a reputation for identifying and developing young talent who often move to Europe's top leagues. This sustained domestic success demonstrated Benfica's ability to maintain competitive excellence while adapting to changing football landscapes and the increasing globalization of the sport.

The club has played at the Estádio da Luz (Stadium of Light) since 2003, which replaced the original stadium that served as home for decades. Benfica remains Portugal's most successful club with the largest supporter base. This move to a modern stadium demonstrated Benfica's commitment to maintaining its competitive position while providing world-class facilities for its supporters and players, ensuring the club could continue to compete effectively in the modern era of European football.