S.L. Benfica (basketball)
Portuguese professional basketball team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɨˈpɔɾ liʒˈβoɐ i βɐ̃jˈfikɐ] ⓘ), commonly known as Benfica, is a professional basketball team based in Lisbon, Portugal, that plays in the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB), where they are the current champions. Founded in 1927, it is the senior representative side of the basketball section of multi-sports club S.L. Benfica.
Os Encarnados (The Reds)
(1927–present)
| Benfica | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Nickname | As Águias (The Eagles) Os Encarnados (The Reds) | |||
| Leagues | Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol | |||
| Founded | 20 March 1927[1] | |||
| History | S.L. Benfica (1927–present) | |||
| Arena | Pavilhão Fidelidade | |||
| Capacity | 2,400 | |||
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal | |||
| Team colours | Red and white | |||
| President | Rui Costa | |||
| Team manager | João Nuno Crespo[2] | |||
| Head coach | Norberto Alves | |||
| Championships | 31 Portuguese Leagues 23 Portuguese Cups 13 Portuguese League Cups 16 Portuguese Supercups | |||
| Retired numbers | 2 (5, 7) | |||
| Website | slbenfica.pt | |||
|
| ||||
In June 2007, the club decided to leave the professional top league, then known as LCB, and join the Proliga, a league organized by the Portuguese Basketball Federation. From 2008 onwards, they returned to the LPB after the federation took control of the competition.
Benfica is the most successful Portuguese club, having the record for most championships (31), cups (23), league cups (13), super cups (16), and other national competitions plus the Supertaça da Lusofonia, totalling 95 trophies. It is also the Portuguese team that advanced the furthest in the European top club championship, now known as EuroLeague.
Some of their most memorable moments were European victories against clubs that have won the Euroleague, such as Virtus Bologna, Real Madrid, Cantù, Cibona, Joventut Badalona, Panathinaikos, Partizan, CSKA Moscow, and Varese.[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Along with its several youth teams, which play in their respective top division championships, Benfica also has a developmental basketball team, Benfica B, that plays in the Proliga, the second highest tier in Portugal.[11]
History
Early years
Created on 20 March 1927,[1] the basketball team followed the steps of many other sports that were supported by the club, achieving great success almost immediately. The team established itself as a main contender by the 1940s and during the whole 1960s gained the status of championship favourite and was already the club with the most titles won. By this time the club had won eight national championships and eight cups. This dominating spell decreased the following decade until the early 1980s. During this time span, Benfica would win only two championships, in the 1969–70 and the 1974–75 season, but won four national cups, the second most prestigious Portuguese tournament, in 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74. After these years, Benfica again dominated the national scene.
Golden years
The most successful period of the club was between 1985 and 1995. In eleven seasons, the team won ten national titles, seven of which in a row, five national cups, five league cups and six super cups, achieving the best season ever by a Portuguese basketball team in 1994–95 winning the Portuguese League, Portuguese League Cup, Portuguese Super Cup, Portuguese Basketball Cup and finishing the European Champions' Cup in the Top 16. One of the highlight from that European Champions' Cup season was a 22-point victory (102–80) against CSKA Moscow in Lisbon on 12 January 1995.[10] Benfica also made successful international campaigns in the other seasons considering the budget the team had compared with other European big teams. Some of the most successful of those campaigns include the 1993–94, when Benfica was close to reach the Top 8,[12] and for a third season in a row Benfica managed to reach the Top 16 again in the European Champions' Cup, in 1995–96, grabbing a win against Panathinaikos, the eventual champions.[13][8]
Decline in the late 1990s
This period was followed by a dark era in which Benfica was internally overshadowed by Ovarense, Portugal Telecom and FC Porto. Even though this period is considered to be a dark one, Benfica did manage to reach the LPB final once as well as winning Super Cups and finishing runners-up in the national cup and in the league cup. Also noteworthy is an away win against Real Madrid, in the 1996–97 EuroCup, the same season the Spaniards won the competition.[4] The team finally decided to withdraw from the top tier and applied for the second league, the Proliga, which was the highest division run by the Federação Portuguesa de Basquetebol. However the first division was folded and the LPB (league) was again being overviewed by the national federation. This allowed the team to make a comeback to the main league.
Revival in the late 2000s
After more than a decade without any titles and in the same season Benfica had made a return to the first league, the 2008–09 season, the team won the Portuguese League, with a perfect score of 100% wins during the regular season, becoming the second team in the world to do so, after Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 1970s, and thrashing Ovarense 4–0 in the best-of-four game final. Benfica won the championship again the following season with a 91% winning record in the regular stage and a 4–1 final against Porto. The recent success brought the team to participate in the EuroChallenge, thus marking the end of a mid-term long hiatus from Portuguese clubs in European basketball competitions.
2010s
In 2010–11, Benfica won the Taça da Liga and the Supertaça, but did not retain the championship, losing 4–3 in the final to Porto. In the following season, Benfica regained the national title after defeating Porto on their home court, the Dragão Caixa, by 56–53 in the decisive game of the best-of-five playoff series (3–2). Benfica retained the title in 2012–13, losing only two games in the season, one in the regular phase and one in the playoff final, both in overtime, and won every domestic trophy except the Taça de Portugal, where they were defeated by Vitória de Guimarães in the final.
On 23 May 2014, Benfica defeated Vitória de Guimarães 3–0 in the playoff final and secured its 25th national title (third consecutive), completing the domestic treble of League, Taça de Portugal, and Taça Hugo dos Santos. They won four trophies in total that season, including the 2013 Supertaça.
In the 2014–15 season, Benfica returned to European competition, competing in the 2014–15 EuroChallenge, where they finished third in Group E. Domestically, Benfica won all five competitions of the season.[14][15] At the start of the 2015–16 season, Benfica won their fifth consecutive Taça de Portugal and fourth consecutive António Pratas Trophy, setting a club record of ten consecutive domestic trophies.[16] In 2016–17, Benfica achieved the domestic treble of Taça Hugo dos Santos, Taça de Portugal, and the league title.[17]
2020s
In the 2021–22 season, after a four-year trophy drought, Benfica won the league title (3–1) defeating Porto on its home court, Dragão Caixa.[18] In September 2022, Benfica qualified for the regular season of the 2022–23 Basketball Champions League, becoming the first Portuguese team to do so.[19] Benfica reached the second round and won both the league and the Taça de Portugal, securing the championship inside Pavilhão João Rocha.[20]
In 2023–24, the club again qualified for the Basketball Champions League regular season[21] and won its third consecutive league title,[22] along with the Taça Hugo dos Santos and the Supertaça. In 2024–25, Benfica qualified for its third consecutive Basketball Champions League regular season[23] and won its fourth consecutive league title, clinching the title at the Dragão Caixa.[24]
Seasons
Key
- Before 1983-84 most league editions were played in league format, after that season started being played in the current format with a regular season and then play-offs.
Seasons
- As of 25 April 2026
| Season | Pos | Playoffs | Cup[25] | League Cup[26] | Super Cup[27] | European competitions[28][29][30][31][32][33] | Other competitions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League[34] | Competition | Result | Competition | Result | |||||
| 1926–27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1927–28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Campeonato Regional de Lisboa | 3rd |
| 1928–29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Campeonato Regional de Lisboa | 3rd |
| 1929–30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Campeonato Regional de Lisboa | 5th |
| 1930–31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Campeonato Regional de Lisboa | 4th |
| 1931–32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Campeonato Regional de Lisboa | 5th |
| 1932–33 | 4th[35] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1933–34 | 4th[36] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1934–35 | 8th[37] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1935–36 | 2nd[38] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1936–37 | 4th[39] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1937–38 | 2nd[40] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1938–39 | 4th[41] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1939–40 | W[42] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1940–41 | RU[43] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1941–42 | RU[44] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1942–43 | 2R[45] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1943–44 | SF | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1944–45 | 3rd[46] | — | QF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1945–46 | 1st[47] | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1946–47 | 1st[48] | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1947–48 | 3rd[49] | — | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1948–49 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1949–50 | 6th[50] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1950–51 | 2nd | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1951–52 | 2nd[51] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1952–53 | 4th[52] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1953–54 | 4th[53] | — | QF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1954–55 | 2nd[54] | — | R16 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1955–56 | 5th[55] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1956–57 | 3rd[56] | — | 1R | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1957–58 | 4th[57] | — | 4R | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1958–59 | 4th[58] | — | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1959–60 | 3rd[59] | — | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1960–61 | 1st[60] | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1961–62 | 1st[61] | — | R16 | — | — | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1962–63 | 1st[62] | — | RU | — | — | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1963–64 | 1st[63] | — | W | — | — | European Cup | 2R | — | — |
| 1964–65 | 1st[64] | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1965–66 | — | — | W | — | — | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1966–67 | — | — | QF | — | — | Cup Winner's Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1967–68 | — | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1968–69 | — | — | W | — | — | Cup Winner's Cup | 2R | — | — |
| 1969–70 | 1st[65] | — | W | — | — | Cup Winner's Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1970–71 | — | — | QF | — | — | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1971–72 | — | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1972–73 | 2nd[66] | — | W | — | — | Cup Winner's Cup | 2R | — | — |
| 1973–74 | 3rd[67] | — | W | — | — | Cup Winner's Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1974–75 | 1st[68] | — | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1975–76 | 5th[69] | — | R16 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1976–77 | 7th[70] | — | SF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1977–78 | 4th[71] | — | QF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1978–79 | 3rd[72] | — | SF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1979–80 | 5th[73] | — | R32 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1980–81 | 3rd[74] | — | W | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1981–82 | 3rd[75] | — | RU | — | — | Cup Winners Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1982–83 | 2nd[76] | — | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1983–84 | 7th[77] | — | QF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1984–85 | — | W[78] | RU | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1985–86 | — | W[79] | QF | — | W | — | — | — | — |
| 1986–87 | — | W[80] | RU | — | RU | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1987–88 | — | RU[81] | RU | — | RU | European Cup | 2R | — | — |
| 1988–89 | — | W[82] | QF | — | — | Korać Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1989–90 | — | W[83] | RU | W | W | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1990–91 | — | W[84] | SF | W | RU | European Cup | 1R | — | — |
| 1991–92 | — | W[85] | W | 7th | W | European League | 2R | — | — |
| 1992–93 | — | W[86] | W | W | RU | European League | 2R | — | — |
| 1993–94 | — | W[87] | W | W | RU | European League | GS | — | — |
| 1994–95 | — | W[88] | W | W | W | European League | GS | — | — |
| 1995–96 | — | RU[89] | W | W | W | European League | GS | — | — |
| 1996–97 | — | QF[90] | QF | RU | W | EuroCup | R32 | — | — |
| 1997–98 | — | QF[91] | RU | 3rd | — | Korać Cup | GS | — | — |
| 1998–99 | — | QF[92] | SF | GS | W | Korać Cup | GS | — | — |
| 1999–00 | — | QF[93] | QF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2000–01 | 3rd | QF[94] | SF | RU | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2001–02 | 9th[95] | — | SF | QF | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2002–03 | 8th | QF[96] | QF | QF | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2003–04 | 11th[97] | R16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2004–05 | 4th | QF[98] | QF | QF | — | ULEB Cup | GS | — | — |
| 2005–06 | 6th | SF[99] | RU | QF | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 | 2nd | SF[100] | QF | RU | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2007–08 | 1st | SF[101] | QF | — | — | — | — | Troféu António Pratas | W |
| 2008–09 | 1st | W[102] | SF | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009–10 | 1st | W[103] | QF | SF | W | — | — | Supertaça da Lusofonia | W |
| 2010–11 | 2nd | RU[104] | R16 | W | W | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12 | 2nd | W[105] | SF | SF | — | — | — | Troféu António Pratas | W |
| 2012–13 | 1st | W[106] | RU | W | W | — | — | Troféu António Pratas | W |
| 2013–14 | 1st | W[107] | W | W | W | — | — | — | — |
| 2014–15 | 1st | W[108] | W | W | W | — | — | Troféu António Pratas | W |
| 2015–16 | 1st | RU[109] | W | RU | W | — | — | Troféu António Pratas | W |
| 2016–17 | 2nd | W[110] | W | W | RU | — | — | — | — |
| 2017–18 | 2nd | SF[111] | RU | W | W | GS | — | — | |
| 2018–19 | 2nd | RU[112] | QF | RU | — | 2Q | — | — | |
| 2019–20 | 2nd | N/A[113] | SF | RU | — | 2R | — | — | |
| 2020–21 | 4th | SF[114] | SF | SF | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | 1st | W | RU | RU | — | 2R | — | — | |
| 2022–23 | 2nd | W[115] | W | SF | RU | QR | — | — | |
| 2023–24 | 2nd | W[116] | RU | W | W | Champions League | GS | — | — |
| 2024–25 | 1st | W[117] | SF | SF | RU | Champions League | GS | — | — |
| 2025–26 | 1st | R16 | RU | W | Champions League | GS | — | — | |
Results in international competition
Note: Benfica score is always listed first.[118]
| Season | Competition | Round | Opposition | Score | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961–62 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  Pallacanestro Varese |
49–73 (H) 48–101 (A) |
97–174 |
| 1962–63 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  Real Madrid |
61–97 (H) 47–110 (A) |
108–207 |
| 1963–64 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round | — | Bye | — |
| First round |  Legia Warsaw |
Forfeit (0–4) | 0–4 | ||
| 1965–66 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  Wydad Casablanca |
54–53 (A) 76–77 (H) 61–63 (N) |
191–193 |
| 1966–67 | FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup | Qualifying round | Joventut Badalona |
38–107 (A) 57–118 (H) |
95–225 |
| 1970–71 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  Budapest Honvéd SE |
67–112 (H) 66–118 (A) |
133–230 |
| 1972–73 | FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup | First qualifying round |  Sutton Basket |
76–77 (A) 77–71 (H) |
153–148 |
| Second qualifying round |  Antwerp BC |
86–83 (H) 80–120 (A) |
166–203 | ||
| 1973–74 | FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup | Second qualifying round | Estudiantes Madrid |
91–75 (H) 61–93 (A) |
152–168 |
| 1981–82 | FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup | First qualifying round | BBK Gent |
81–83 (H) 81–101 (A) |
162–184 |
| 1986–87 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round | Manchester United |
67–91 (A) 87–79 (H) |
154–170 |
| 1987–88 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  BBC Sparta Bertrange |
122–77 (H) 108–84 (A) |
230–85 |
| First round |  Maccabi Tel Aviv |
86–111 (A) 79–81 (H) |
165–192 | ||
| 1988–89 | FIBA Korać Cup | Qualifying round | Antwerp Giants |
75–83 (A) 95–88 (H) |
170–171 |
| 1989–90 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round | Olimpia Milano |
99–112 (H) 73–92 (A) |
172–204 |
| 1990–91 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Qualifying round |  Bayer Leverkusen |
87–85 (H) 74–110 (A) |
161–195 |
| 1991–92 | FIBA European League | Preliminary round II |  Olympique Antibes |
89–76 (H) 74–88 (A) |
163–164 |
| 1991–92 | FIBA European Cup | Preliminary round III | Szolnoki Olaj |
100–69 (H) 75–84 (A) |
175–153 |
| Semi-final round Group B |  Union Olimpija |
88–91 (A) 47–84 (H) |
5th | ||
 Panionios |
77–89 (A) 88–76 (H) | ||||
| Hapoel Galil Elyon |
79–74 (H) 95–78 (A) | ||||
 Real Madrid |
75–78 (H) 79–102 (A) | ||||
| Pau-Orthez |
80–89 (A) 79–90 (H) | ||||
| 1992–93 | FIBA European League | Preliminary round I | Etzella Ettelbruck |
113–72 (A) 105–58 (H) |
218–130 |
| Preliminary round II | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
75–89 (H) 81–100 (A) |
156–189 | ||
| FIBA European Cup | Preliminary round III |  CSKA Sofia |
111–83 (H) 84–80 (A) |
195–163 | |
| Semi-final round Group B | Cholet Basket |
98–82 (A) 84–73 (H) |
4th | ||
 Split |
60–70 (H) 56–79 (A) | ||||
| Aris |
67–75 (H) 72–83 (A) | ||||
 Budivelnyk |
77–79 (A) 88–75 (H) | ||||
| Hapoel Galil Elyon |
74–93 (A) 73–80 (H) | ||||
| 1993–94 | FIBA European League | Preliminary round I | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
75–83 (A) 87–67 (H) |
162–150 |
| Preliminary round II | Union Olimpija |
87–63 (H) 76–91 (A) |
163–154 | ||
| Semi-final round Group B | Panathinaikos |
73–83 (A) 69–76 (H) |
6th | ||
 Anadolu Efes |
61–77 (H) 67–80 (A) | ||||
| Pallacanestro Cantù |
65–74 (A) 83–64 (H) | ||||
| Virtus Bologna |
102–90 (H) 57–97 (A) | ||||
| Cibona |
67–66 (H) 63–75 (A) | ||||
| Joventut Badalona |
76–79 (A) 78–89 (H) | ||||
| Pau-Orthez |
80–72 (A) 72–74 (H) | ||||
| 1994–95 | FIBA European League | Preliminary round II | Budapest Honvéd SE |
94–85 (A) 96–89 (H) |
190–174 |
| Semi-final round Group A |  CSKA Moscow |
61–103 (A) 102–80 (H) |
8th | ||
| Union Olimpija |
81–84 (H) 56–64 (A) | ||||
| PAOK |
68–74 (A) 77–75 (H) | ||||
| Panathinaikos |
49–67 (H) 60–80 (A) | ||||
| Real Madrid |
54–70 (A) 62–66 (H) | ||||
| Victoria Pesaro |
75–88 (A) 69–88 (H) | ||||
| Maccabi Tel Aviv |
81–90 (H) 75–86 (A) | ||||
| 1995–96 | FIBA European League | Preliminary round II |  Partizan Belgrade |
64–64 (A) 112–95 (H) |
176–159 |
| Semi-final round Group B | Cibona |
65–79 (H) 59–64 (A) |
8th | ||
| Pau-Orthez |
61–76 (A) 99–90 (H) | ||||
| Maccabi Tel Aviv |
66–74 (A) 82–94 (H) | ||||
| Virtus Bologna |
83–85 (H) 81–97 (A) | ||||
| Panathinaikos |
51–67 (A) 96–87 (H) | ||||
| Real Madrid |
73–78 (H) 81–86 (A) | ||||
| Barcelona |
55–76 (H) 94–106 (A) | ||||
| 1996–97 | FIBA EuroCup | Group C | Spartak Pleven |
98–111 (A) 95–75 (H) |
3rd |
| ratiopharm Ulm |
91–81 (H) 69–82 (A) | ||||
| Hapoel Galil Elyon |
78–64 (H) 85–92 (A) | ||||
| Real Madrid |
60–59 (A) 73–76 (H) | ||||
 MZT Skopje |
77–75 (H) 73–75 (A) | ||||
| Last 16 | Paris Racing |
63–81 (H) 86–80 (A) |
149–161 | ||
| 1997–98 | FIBA Korać Cup | Additional preliminary round |  Fribourg Olympic |
66–67 (H) 78–63 (A) |
144–130 |
| Group F |  Den Helder Seals |
80–56 (H) 76–63 (A) |
3rd | ||
| Montpellier |
78–86 (A) 75–76 (H) | ||||
| Brose Baskets |
93–95 (H) 77–89 (A) | ||||
| 1998–99 | FIBA Korać Cup | Additional preliminary round | SAV Vacallo Basket |
80–74 (H) 84–72 (A) |
164–146 |
| Group H | Maccabi Rishon |
93–99 (H) 77–74 (A) |
4th | ||
| Les Mans Sarthe |
72–78 (H) 65–78 (A) | ||||
| Brose Baskets |
59–70 (A) 63–69 (H) | ||||
| 2004–05 | ULEB Cup | Group G | Baskets Bonn |
71–74 (H) 62–80 (A) |
6th |
| Śląsk Wrocław |
83–85 (A) 60–70 (H) | ||||
 Lietuvos rytas |
49–74 (A) 57–59 (H) | ||||
 Red Star Belgrade |
66–106 (H) 69–83 (A) | ||||
| Pompea Napoli |
82–87 (A) 67–104 (H) | ||||
| 2010–11 | EuroChallenge | EuroChallenge qualifying round | BC Ferro-ZNTU |
105–105 (H) 77–72 (A) |
182–177 |
| Group C | Lukoil Academic |
71–92 (A) 86–79 (H) |
2nd | ||
| Lugano Tigers |
89–84 (H) 52–74 (A) | ||||
 Tartu Ülikool |
80–74 (H) 64–80 (A) | ||||
| Last 16 Group K |  Ventspils |
65–100 (A) 71–74 (H) |
4th | ||
| Gravelines-Dunkerque |
64–67 (H) 82–91 (A) | ||||
 Norrköping Dolphins |
83–75 (H) 74–80 (A) | ||||
| 2014–15 | EuroChallenge | Group E | Belfius Mons-Hainaut |
69–79 (H) 63–92 (A) |
3rd |
| JSF Nanterre |
68–80 (A) 86–96 (H) | ||||
 Kataja Basket |
93–90 (A) 107–82 (H) | ||||
| 2015–16 | FIBA Europe Cup | Group B | Cibona |
79–83 (H) 66–74 (A) |
3rd |
| Soproni KC |
78–65 (A) 91–62 (H) | ||||
| Antwerp Giants |
76–84 (A) 77–79 (H) | ||||
| 2016–17 | Basketball Champions League | Second qualifying round | Pallacanestro Varese |
72–75 (H) 72–70 (A) |
144–145 |
| FIBA Europe Cup | Group A | Alba Fehérvár |
77–74 (H) 71–90 (A) |
3rd | |
| Élan Chalon |
76–90 (A) 77–69 (H) | ||||
| Basic-Fit Brussels |
79–74 (A) 75–80 (H) | ||||
| Second round | Lukoil Academic |
72–84 (A) 67–76 (H) |
4th | ||
| Donar |
82–94 (H) 78–81 (A) | ||||
| Enisey Krasnoyarsk |
69–99 (A) 58–89 (H) | ||||
| 2017–18 | Basketball Champions League | First qualifying round |  Kapfenberg Bulls |
75–72 (A) 67–62 (H) |
142–134 |
| Second qualifying round | Lukoil Academic |
82–91 (H) 71–87 (A) |
153–178 | ||
| FIBA Europe Cup | Group B | Nevėžis |
88–83 (H) 68–94 (A) |
4th | |
 Bakken Bears |
76–95 (A) 95–108 (H) | ||||
| Avtodor Saratov |
86–97 (H) 71–110 (A) | ||||
| 2018–19 | FIBA Europe Cup | Second qualifying round | Dinamo Sassari |
66–100 (A) 92–111 (H) |
158–211 |
| 2019–20 | Basketball Champions League | First qualifying round | Donar |
95–65 (H) 66–76 (A) |
161–141 |
| Second qualifying round |  Mornar |
68–96 (H) 82–71 (A) |
150–167 | ||
| FIBA Europe Cup | Regular season Group A |
ZZ Leiden |
103–99 (H) 68–84 (A) |
1st | |
| Pécs Veolia |
89–81 (A) 85–66 (H) | ||||
 Inter Bratislava |
77–68 (H) 95–91 (A) | ||||
| Group I | Spirou Basket |
89–62 (H) 85–78 (A) |
3rd | ||
| Medi Bayreuth |
78–96 (A) 77–91 (H) | ||||
| Bakken Bears |
90–78 (H) 75–88 (A) | ||||
| 2021–22 | FIBA Europe Cup | First qualifying round |  CSO Voluntari |
83–77 (N) | 83–77 |
| Second qualifying round | Donar |
81–73 (N) | 81–73 | ||
| Regular season Group C |
Heroes Den Bosch |
73–78 (H) 78–76 (A) |
1st | ||
| BC Parma |
83–69 (H) 92-89 (A) | ||||
 BK Opava |
99–89 (A) 86-84 (H) | ||||
| Group K | CSM Oradea |
56–68 (A) 94–57 (H) |
3rd | ||
| Trefl Sopot |
67–79 (H) 67–76 (A) | ||||
 Sporting CP |
64–72 (H) 72–89 (A) | ||||
| 2022–23 | FIBA Champions League | First qualifying round |  Golden Eagle Ylli |
92–67 (H) | 92–67 |
| Second qualifying round |  Keravnos B.C. |
73–65 (H) | 73–65 | ||
| Third qualifying round | Bamberg Baskets |
87–73 (H) | 87–73 | ||
| Group F | FK VEF Rīga |
89–76 (A) 84–71 (H) |
2nd | ||
| Limoges CSP |
68–67 (A) 59–79 (H) | ||||
| Bàsquet Manresa |
78–97 (H) 92–82 (A) | ||||
| Play-ins | Darüşşafaka Basketbol |
76–89 (H) 72–83 (A) |
148–172 | ||
| 2023–24 | First qualifying round |  BC TSU Tbilisi |
112–62 (A) | 112–62 | |
| Second qualifying round | AEK Larnaca B.C. |
87–59 (A) | 87–59 | ||
| Third qualifying round | Norrköping Dolphins |
73–65 (A) | 73–65 | ||
| Group G | PAOK BC |
94–72 (H) 74–76 (A) |
4th | ||
| Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. |
66–84 (H) 68–97 (A) | ||||
| Galatasaray |
78–98 (A) 63–87 (H) | ||||
| 2024–25 | First qualifying round | BC Rilski Sportist |
89–88 (A) | 89–88 | |
| Second qualifying round | Fribourg Olympic Basket |
91–85 (A) | 91–85 | ||
| Group G | Bàsquet Manresa |
64–92 (A) 80–91 (H) |
4th | ||
| Niners Chemnitz |
75–103 (A) 79–68 (H) | ||||
| Derthona Basket |
58–72 (H) 71–77 (A) | ||||
| 2025–26 | Group H | Dreamland Gran Canaria |
61–98 (H) 63–87 (A) |
4th | |
 Spartak Office Shoes |
74–90 (H) 69–99 (A) | ||||
| Le Mans |
69–89 (A) 93–90 (H) | ||||
Home arenas
Benfica played its home basketball games at the Pavilhão dos Desportos, from 1946 to 1965. The club then played its home games at the Pavilhão da Luz, from 1965 to 2003. Since 2003, Benfica has hosted its home games at the Pavilhão Fidelidade, which has a seating capacity of 2,400 people.
Honours
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol[119] | 31 | 1939–40, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1969–70, 1974–75, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 |
| Campeonato Metropolitano[119] | 5 | 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74 | |
| Taça de Portugal[119] | 23 | 1945–46, 1946–47, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1980–81, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2022–23 | |
| Taça da Liga / Hugo dos Santos Cup[119] | 13 | 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2023–24 | |
| Supertaça[119] | 16 | 1985, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2023, 2025 | |
| Troféu António Pratas LPB[119] | 6 | 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16 | |
| International | Supertaça da Lusofonia[119] | 1s | 2010 |
- record
- s shared record
Doubles
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol and Taça de Portugal
- 13: 1945-46, 1946-47, 1960-61, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1969-70, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2022-23
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol and Taça da Liga
- 9: 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2023-24
- Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga
- 6: 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2013-14, 2014-15
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol and Supertaça
- 8: 1985-86, 1989-90, 1991-92, 1994-95, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2023-24
Trebles
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol, Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga
- 5: 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 2013-14, 2014-15
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol, Taça de Portugal and Supertaça
- 4: 1991-92, 1994-95, 2013-14, 2014-15
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol, Taça da Liga and Supertaça
- 6: 1989-90, 1994-95, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2023-24
- Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and Supertaça
- 4: 1994-95, 1995-96, 2013-14, 2014-15
Quadruple
- Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol, Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga, Supertaça
- 3: 1994-95, 2013-14, 2014-15
Players
Current roster
| S.L. Benfica roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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João Nuno Crespo
Updated: 11 October 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retired numbers
| No | Nat. | Player | Position | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | |
Henrique Vieira[120] | PG | 1981–1992 |
| 7 | |
Carlos Lisboa | SG/SF | 1984–1996 |
Former players
Players who won a league title with Benfica or who were picked in the NBA draft.
Bruce Holland (4 seasons: 1977–81)
Henrique Vieira (11 seasons: 1981–92)- Carlos Lisboa (12 seasons: 1984–96)
- Mike Plowden (10 seasons: 1985–95)
Jean-Jacques Conceição (8 seasons: 1988–96)- Pedro Miguel (11 seasons: 1989–2000)
- José Carlos Guimarães (4 seasons: 1991–94, 1996–97)
- Steve Rocha (4 seasons: 1992–95, 1996–97)
- Carlos Seixas (7 seasons: 1992–99)
Torgeir Bryn (1 season: 1994–95)- Luís Silva (8 seasons: 1994–99, 2002–05)
- Sérgio Ramos (8 seasons: 1995–99, 2008–12)
- Brian Rewers (1 season: 1997–98)
- Mark Acres (1 season: 1997–98)
- Jamal Faulkner (3 seasons: 1997–99)
- Jamie Watson (1 season: 2002–03)
Tomás Jofresa (1 season: 2003–04)- Ben Davis (1 season: 2005–06)
- Ashante Johnson (3 seasons: 2005–07)
- Carlos Andrade (7 seasons: 2006–07, 2012–18)
- Corey Benjamin (1 season: 2006–07)
- Geno Carlisle (1 season: 2006–07)
- Tyson Wheeler (1 season: 2006–07)
- Miguel Minhava (7 seasons: 2006–13)
- Edson Ferreira (1 season: 2008–09)
- Rahein Brown (1 season: 2008–09)
- Seth Doliboa (5 seasons: 2008–09, 2011–2015)
- Cristóvão Cordeiro (2 seasons: 2008–10)
- João Santos (2 seasons: 2008–10)
- Miguel Barroca (2 seasons: 2008–10)
- António Tavares (3 seasons: 2008–11)
- Ben Reed (4 seasons: 2008–12)
- Diogo Carreira (8 seasons: 2008–16)
- Nick DeWitz (1 season: 2009–10)
- Will Frisby (1 season: 2009–10)
- Elvis Évora (4 seasons: 2009–13)
- Heshimu Evans (4 seasons: 2009–13)
- Carlos Ferreirinho (6 seasons: 2010–16)
- António Monteiro (1 season: 2011–12)
- Marcus Norris (1 season: 2011–12)
- Ted Scott (1 season: 2011–12)
- Fred Gentry (5 seasons: 2011–16)
- Lace Dunn (1 season: 2012–13)
- Ricky Franklin (1 season: 2012–13)
- Cláudio Fonseca (4 seasons: 2012–16)
- David Weaver (1 season: 2013–14)
- Artur Castela (2 seasons: 2013–16)
- Jobey Thomas (3 seasons: 2013–15)
- Mário Gil Fernandes (4 seasons: 2013–17)
- Ron Slay (1 season: 2014–15)
- Fábio Lima (4 seasons: 2014–15, 2018–21)
- Daequan Cook (1 season: 2015–16)
- Marko Loncovic (2 seasons: 2015–17)
- Nuno Oliveira (3 seasons: 2015–18)
- Derek Raivio (1 season: 2016–17)
- Carlos Morais (2 seasons: 2016–18)
- Neemias Queta (1 season: 2017–18)
- Quincy Miller (1 season: 2020–21)
- Rafael Lisboa (5 seasons: 2016–21)
Head coaches
- Teotónio Lima (12 seasons: 1956–65, 1972–75)
- José Curado (3 seasons: 1984–87)
- Tim Shea (3 seasons: 1988–91)
- Mário Palma (6 seasons: 1991–97)
- Mário Gomes (5 seasons: 1999–2004)
- Carlos Lisboa (10 seasons: 1997–99, 2011–17, 2019–21)
- Norberto Alves (2004–06, 2021–present)
- Henrique Vieira (5 seasons: 2007–11)
- José Ricardo (1 season: 2017–18)
- Arturo Álvarez (1 season: 2018–19)
