The 2020–21 Campeonato de Portugal was the eighth season of Portuguese football's renovated third-tier league, since the merging of the Segunda Divisão and Terceira Divisão in 2013, and the sixth season under the current Campeonato de Portugal title. A total of 96 teams competed in this division.
Due to the cancellation of all non-professional competitions in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal on the previous season, no teams were relegated, which lead to an additional team from each of the 20 district championships. The Portuguese Football Federation decided the creation of the Liga 3, a new tier in the Portuguese league system, beginning with the 2021–22 season, as well as a new format for Campeonato de Portugal, including the addition of four reserve teams invited from Primeira Liga clubs raising the total number of teams from 72 to 96. This new format will reduce the total number of teams to 56 on the next season.[1]
Format
The new competition format consists of three stages. In the first stage, the 96 clubs were divided in eight series of 12 teams, according to geographic criteria, with a maximum of two reserve teams in each series. In each series, teams played against each other in a home-and-away double round-robin system.
In the second stage, the best-placed teams of each of eight Series advanced to the promotion series, teams placed from second to fifth qualified for Liga 3 qualification Series, bottom 4 teams were relegated to the District Championships and remaining teams stayed in Campeonato de Portugal. On the promotion series, the 8 teams were divided in two series of 4 teams, the winners of each series being promoted to LigaPro, remaining teams qualified for Liga 3. On the Liga 3 qualification Series, the 32 teams were divided in eight series of 4 teams, the two best-placed teams of each series qualified for Liga 3. In both promotion Series and Liga 3 qualification Series, teams played against each other in a home-and-away double round-robin system.
In the third stage, the best-placed teams of the two promotion series faced each other on a neutral venue to decide the champion.
Location of teams of the 2020–21 Campeonato de Portugal first stage (Mainland). Brown: Serie A; Red: Serie B; Orange: Serie C; Yellow: Serie D; Green: Serie E; Blue: Serie F; Purple: Serie G; Pink: Serie H.
^Desportivo das Aves gave up from the competition after the first stage draw. For that reason, the team wasn't replaced and first stage serie B was to be played with 11 teams.[4]
^ abChaves decided to end their reserve-team project. In this case, Vidago was invited as AF Vila Real District League Runner-Up and accepted the invitation.[5][6]
^ abcCamacha, Câmara de Lobos and União da Madeira withdrew from the competition on 7 January 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Madeira regional government that prevented amateur clubs to play matches since October. For that reason, the three teams were guaranteed to play in the 2021–22 Campeonato de Portugal and all of their played matches were declared null. The first stage serie B and C were concluded with 10 teams respectively.[7]
^ abAD Oliveirense filed for bankruptcy and so the license for competition was denied. In this case, Vilaverdense was invited as AF Braga District League 3rd Place and accepted the invitation.[13]
^ abGinásio Figueirense withdrew from the competition. In this case, Brito was invited as AF Braga District League Runner-Up (AF Braga is the second Football Association with most teams in national leagues) and accepted the invitation.
^Fátima withdrew from the competition after declaring bankruptcy on December 1, 2020. For that reason, all the matches they played we're declared null and the first stage serie F was concluded with 11 teams.[8]
^Armacenenses withdrew from the competition after the first stage draw. For that reason, the team wasn't replaced and first stage serie H was played with 11 teams.[9][10]
^Sp. Mêda withdrew from the competition. In this case, Manteigas was invited as AF Guarda District League Runner-Up but declined the invitation. The following team, Vila Cortês, which was AF Guarda District League 3rd place, accepted the invitation.
^GRAP withdrew from the competition on January 25, 2021. For that reason, all the matches they played were declared null and the first stage serie E was concluded with 11 teams.[14]
^Lourinhanense took place on the competition as AF Lisboa District League Runner-Up due to only three out of four reserve team places being filled.[15]
^ abCrato, Portalegre FA District League Champions declined to be promoted and the 2nd to 5th-classified of Portalegre FA District League teams declined as well. In this case, Tirsense was invited as AF Porto District League Runner-Up (AF Porto is the Football Association with most teams in national leagues) and accepted the invitation.
Updated to match(es) played on 30 May 2021. Source: FPF.pt Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Head-to-head points, 3) Head-to-head goal difference, 4) Goal difference, 5) Matches won, 6) Goals scored (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated Notes:
^Leça failed to produce valid licensing documentation to compete in the 2021–22 season of the Liga 3, so they had their promotion denied by the Portuguese Football Federation. As a result, Sanjoanense (3rd place) were invited to play in the third tier for the 2021–22 season.[20]