Benfica Football Schools 30th Anniversary

BEF ESTÁDIO

Benfica Football Schools (BEF) are celebrating their 30th anniversary, a milestone that reflects three decades of dedication to the sporting and human development of thousands of children. Since September 26, 1995—the first at the old Estádio da Luz—the schools have evolved into a solid and structured project with a broad and dynamic network, spread throughout the country and with a presence beyond its borders.

Today, the project is huge, but it still retains the essence of its first day. Currently, the network comprises 46 schools in Portugal and three abroad (Malta, Lithuania, and Luxembourg), bringing together more than 9,000 students aged 3 to 15. BEF Estádio, a pioneer and still the largest today, had 1,362 athletes in 2024/25, but each new opening symbolizes the strength and continued growth of the project—as is the case with the most recent one, in A dos Cunhados (2025).

But if there are numbers that stand out, it is those that tell success stories. Over the course of 30 years, dozens of professional players took their first steps at BEF. Among them are big names such as Bernardo Silva, Jota, Paulo Bernardo, Gonçalo Guedes, and Tomás Araújo. Many others continue to make their mark in Portuguese and international football, proving that the dream begins here.

Currently, 77 players who started at BEF wear the Sport Lisboa e Benfica jersey at different levels, up to the first team. BEF Estádio alone has 20 athletes in competition, followed by BEF Olivais with seven representatives. Among the current names, Tomás Araújo and Gonçalo Oliveira (first team), João Capucho, Miguel Figueiredo, Rafael Quintas, Stevan Manuel and Gustavo Ferreira (under-23).

More than just statistics, each number represents lives transformed. Thousands of children have learned to play and grow up with values, families have experienced excitement in the stands, and communities have gained a meeting place in each school. Today, the BEF map is also a map of affection: from Lisbon to the Algarve, from Minho to Alentejo, passing through the islands and now with an international presence, each pitch is a space where the DNA of Sport Lisboa e Benfica is passed down from generation to generation.

Thousands of children and young people find here a gateway to the world of football, but also to building emotional bonds, discipline, team spirit, and Benfica identity. For many, the dream is to reach Benfica Campus and the main team; for others, it is simply to enjoy the sport with joy. In all cases, the common denominator is the same: Benfica as a place for growth and values.

RELEVANT FACTS

1995 | Birth of the first school, in the old Estádio da Luz, named Escola de Animação de Futebol (Football Animation School)
2004 | Inauguration of the first school outside the stadium, at the GDR Fontainhas de Cascais facilities (open until 2007)
2004 | First school outside the country, in London, in partnership with London Eagles
2005 (19/09/2005) | First National Schools Meeting, held at Campo Sintético da Luz
2005 | Birth of the Primeiro Passo (First Step) project – introducing young children (aged 3, 4, and 5) to sports
2005 (December) | Birth of the Holiday Camp project, which continues to this day
2006 | Name changed to Geração Benfica
2006 | 2nd National Schools Meeting, in Tondela (the only meeting to date held outside the Club's premises). In 2007 and 2008, the event took place at the Benfica Campus.
2007 | BEF Faro and Seixal (at Benfica Campus) were established, the oldest still in operation (not counting BEF Estádio).
2007 | Birth of the Club's Internal School League project. At the time, it was divided into four competitive divisions: Greater Lisbon, North, Center, and South.
2009 | 5th National Schools Meeting, the first to be held at Estádio da Luz, which remains the case to this day
2015 | Officialization of the current name: Benfica Football Schools – standardized across the entire network