Draw sets up Benfica-Sporting derby on opening day | OneFootball

The Portuguese Football Federation has already released the schedule for the first phase of the National Under-17 Championship for the 2026/27 season. Among the main highlights of the draw is the derby between Benfica and Sporting, which will take place right in the opening round of the South Series, in a match scheduled for Benfica Campus, in Seixal, on the weekend of August 8 and 9.

, with an away trip to Rio Ave’s ground, in Vila do Conde, to open their participation in the North Series, as they look to defend the title.

Benfica’s clash against Sporting promises to be one of the marquee fixtures of the opening round and could provide early signs about the battle for the top spots in the South Series. After that match, the young Eagles will face Vitória de Setúbal, Casa Pia, Torreense, Real, Amora, Alverca, Estoril and Nacional in a regular phase made up of 18 rounds, played over two legs.

In the North Series, besides Porto and Rio Ave, Beira-Mar, Vitória de Guimarães, Académica, Feirense, Paços de Ferreira, Famalicão, Leixões and Braga will also compete. It is worth recalling that, at the end of the first phase, the top five teams in each series will secure qualification for the championship phase, while the remaining teams will compete in the relegation and survival phase.

The official start of the National Under-17 Championship is scheduled for the weekend of August 8 and 9, with the first round mostly being played on Sunday the 9th. , before the start of the second phase, scheduled for January 2027. The Eagles have strengthened their squad with Manu Silva’s brother.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.