Portuguese Third Division

Portuguese Third Division

Countries	Portugal
Confederation	UEFA
Founded	1948
Number of teams	94
Levels on pyramid	4
Promotion to	Segunda Divisão (Second Division)
Relegation to	Distritais (District Leagues)
Domestic cup(s)	Taça de Portugal Millenium
Current champions	8 Teams (2009–10)
Most championships	Benfica e Castelo Branco (4 Titles)
Website	http://www.fpf.pt
2011–12 Terceira Divisão

The Terceira Divisão Portuguesa (in English: Portuguese Third Division) is the fourth level of the Portuguese football league system. The Third Division was initially the third level of the Portuguese pyramid but with the creation of the Liga de Honra in 1990–91, it became the fourth level. The Third Division is currently divided into eight sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, Azores and Madeira). There are 94 teams in total with Sections A and to F and Madeira each comprising 12 teams while the Azores Section consists of 10 teams.

The Madeira and Azores Sections only accept teams from their autonomous regions while the other 6 sections serve Mainland Portugal. The 94 teams battle for promotion to the Portuguese Second Division but must also avoid relegation to the District Leagues which are the fifth level of the Portuguese football league system.

Competition

The Portuguese Third Division was established in 1948 and currently has 8 Sections with the Championship of each being divided into two phases.

The 6 Sections (A, B, C, D, E, F) within Mainland Portugal each have 12 teams and play 22 matches in the first phase. This is followed by the second phase where the top 6 teams in each Section compete in the Promotion Group and play 10 matches to determine the champion teams from each Group that will be promoted to Portuguese Second Division. The last 6 teams in each Section compete in the Relegation Group and play 10 matches to determine the last 3 teams to be relegated to the District Leagues.

The Madeira Section is played in the same format as the 6 Sections within Mainland Portugal. However limitations are placed on promotion to the Portuguese Second Division dependent upon the position of the 6 teams from Madeira competing in the Second Division Championship. If no teams from Madeira finish in a relegation position in Second Division then the lowest placed team have a two leg play-off with the winners of the Third Division Madeira Section to determine the remaining team from Madeira that will compete in the Second Division.

In the Azores Section there are 10 teams that play 18 matches in the first phase. This is followed by the second phase where the top 4 teams in the Section compete in the Promotion Group and play 6 matches to determine the champion team that will be promoted to Portuguese Second Division. The last 6 teams in the Section compete in the Relegation Group and play 10 matches to determine the last 3 teams to be relegated to the District Leagues. If there are six Azores teams in the Second Division similar play-off arrangements apply as in Madeira.

Seasons - League Tables

2011–12 season

List of champions

Since the 2000–01 season, with exception to the 2001–02 season, the winners of all series were declared champions.

Titles

• 4 Titles: Benfica e Castelo Branco
• 3 Titles: Bragança, União de Lamas, Caldas, Lusitânia
• 2 Titles: Almada, Seixal, Cova da Piedade, Vizela, União de Santarém, Portalegrense, Montijo, Vasco da Gama, Vila Real, Atlético CP, Paredes, Louletano, Juventude de Évora, Madalena, Mirandela, Amarante, Monsanto, Estrela de Vendas Novas, Angrense, Joane
• 1 Title: Ovarense, Lusitano VRSA, Coruchense, O Elvas, Serpa, Oliveirense, Beira-Mar, Varzim, Os Leões, União de Tomar, Olhanense, Caldas, Lourosa, Paços de Ferreira, Rio Ave, Sacavenense, União de Coimbra, Esperança de Lagos, Mirense, Trofense, Odivelas, Limianos, Lamego, Fafe, Dragões Sandinenses, Vilafranquense, Vianense, Caçadores das Taipas, Oliveira do Hospital, Olivais e Moscavide, Amora, Mafra, Lixa, Estarreja, Alcaíns, Sintrense, Pinhalnovense, Santo António, Valenciano, Ribeirão, Penalva do Castelo, Casa Pia, Operário, Os Sandinenses, Aliados de Lordelo, Nelas, Portomosense, Benfica B, Silves, Maria da Fonte, Vila Meã, Eléctrico, , Valdevez, Leça, Anadia, Caniçal, Lagoa, Arouca, Oriental, Mineiro Aljustrelense, Praiense, Vieira, Tondela, Sertanense, Camacha, Vitória do Pico, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Coimbrões, Pombal, Torreense, Andorinha, Cinfães, Ribeira Brava, Cesarense, Académico de Viseu, Futebol Benfica, Farense, Pontassolense