A quiet deadline is approaching. It could reshape how Portuguese football clubs earn money. A crucial plan for centralizing TV rights is nearly ready. It aims to gather all broadcasting income. This proposal must land with the Competition Authority by season’s end. If all goes well, these new rules kick in for the 2028/29 season.
This major change didn’t just appear. The seeds were sown back in 2021. The government, led by António Costa at the time, made a special law. It set rules for selling TV and online rights. This covered content from both professional leagues. That law also had a strict deadline. Any current broadcast deals expire by the 2027-2028 season. No exceptions. Any clauses trying to extend them beyond that date are simply void.
The national Football Federation (FPF) and the Professional Football League (LPFP) crafted this plan together. They need the Competition Authority’s nod of approval. This must happen before the 2025/26 season ends. The goal is for the new system to kick off in the 2028/29 season. What happens if they miss these deadlines? The law is clear. The government itself will then step in. It will set the terms for the centralized sales model. Of course, they will still consult the Competition Authority.
After the decree was approved, the LPFP formed a new company. It’s called Liga Centralização. Its job is twofold. First, it submits the project to the Competition Authority. Then, it will manage all the centralized rights for the professional leagues. This new company reports to the LPFP board and its Presidents’ Summit. Initially, it had some big names on board. Benfica, FC Porto, Sporting, Sporting de Braga, and Casa Pia joined from the top league. Chaves and Paços de Ferreira from the second tier also signed up.
A Sudden Twist
Then came a twist in the tale. Benfica, a powerhouse, recently hit the brakes. This happened after they lost the 2024/25 Portuguese Cup final. They fell to arch-rivals Sporting. Benfica then announced they would stop joining the Liga Centralização work groups. They confirmed this in a letter. It went to LPFP President Reinaldo Teixeira on Tuesday.
The President’s Vision
Reinaldo Teixeira, the LPFP President, spoke about this back in April. He said even before his election that centralizing rights is a legal requirement. A project must be with the Competition Authority by June 2026. He stressed the main challenge: getting clubs to agree on how to split the money. Teixeira had met with clubs from both professional leagues. He claimed he didn’t sense any “reluctance.” This included Benfica. Yet, Benfica had often worried about losing broadcast revenue. They currently show their home games on their own TV channel. This gives them a unique position.
“Does anyone want to lose?” Teixeira asked. “No, and we shouldn’t even say that.” He believes the market will speak. The goal is to reach national and international markets. They aim to get the best possible value for their competitions. Teixeira also sees streaming platforms as a way to unlock even more money. Teixeira admits the “big three” clubs hold a lot of power in these talks. These are Benfica, Sporting, and FC Porto. But he believes they understand one key thing. They don’t play alone. He argues that Portuguese clubs will only succeed more in Europe. This happens when they become stronger and more competitive within their own league.