The 2025/26 pre-season kicks off

This Monday marks the start of a new season of renewed ambition for SL Benfica's professional football squad. Following a break after the end of the Club World Cup, which extended the Eagles' 2024/25 season until June 28, the 2025/26 season kicks off on July 14.

Upcoming are days of intense effort and rigor, with thoughts turning to the countless challenges that the team will face in this new cycle. One of those is winning the much-desired 39th national title, and the path to that goal was defined in the draw held on July 4, during the Kick-Off of the professional football competitions. This dictated a Benfica-Rio Ave match for the opening day of the 2025/26 edition of the Liga Betclic. The home clash is scheduled for the weekend of August 9 and 10 (the final date and time are yet to be determined).

Even before the start of the Championship, Benfica will have its foot on the accelerator to face other goals for the season that is about to begin. The Eagles are scheduled to participate in the final of the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup, scheduled for July 31 at the Estádio Algarve.

Internationally, the first decisions are set for early August, when the initial steps will be taken heading for an important goal for the Club: qualifying for the Champions League group stage. The two matches of the third qualifying round of UEFA's main competition are scheduled for August 5 and 6 (first leg) and August 12 (second leg). Benfica's opponent will be determined in the draw scheduled for July 21, which will also define the order of the matches.

It should be noted that, if Benfica gets through this stage, it will still have to compete in and win a play-off, with the two legs scheduled for August 19/20 and 26/27, respectively, to secure its place in the Champions League group stage.