"O Benfica" that connects the past, the present, and the future

CONGRATULATIONS, O BENFICA!

November 28, 1942 – the date on which the official newspaper of Sport Lisboa e Benfica first opened its front page to the world. Since then, over more than eight decades, the weekly newspaper has grown alongside the club, adapting to new eras and reinventing itself without ever losing sight of its essential purpose: to be close to its readers, providing members and fans with truthful and accessible information.

On Friday, November 28, 2025, the newspaper O Benfica will mark its 83rd anniversary, celebrating a history that began on November 28, 1942. In that first edition, the name still appeared as Sport Lisboa e Benfica, a designation that remained until 1950, when it adopted the name by which it has since been recognized by members and fans as one of the most faithful voices of Benfica life.

From the outset, what is now Europe's oldest sports weekly has sought to provide comprehensive coverage of the Club, bringing to newsstands – and, since February 7, 2014, also to digital platforms – the most important moments in the institutional and sporting life of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. The breadth of information, covering sports, athletes, and the Club's institutional activity, has been one of the hallmarks of this publication that spans generations.

The evolution of the newspaper tells its own story of adaptation. In 1953, the number of pages was increased: it rose from 4 to 6 and, the following month, from 6 to 8. On March 15, 1962, the edition grew in size, increasing to 12 pages. A decade later, on February 29, 1972, on its 30th anniversary, a remarkable milestone was set with the publication of 96 pages—the highest number ever.

Innovation was once again evident on March 2, 1982, when the newspaper included color pages on the front and center sections for the first time. Between 1985 and 1995, growth continued until it settled at the current 32-page format.

Between May 1, 1999, and August 2000, the newspaper temporarily took the form of a magazine (Benfica), returning to its original identity after the election of Manuel Vilarinho and resuming its usual format on February 28, 2001.

In the new millennium, the publication continued its modernization process, with regular graphic changes and, in 2005, the transition to a full-color newspaper, reinforcing its proximity to new readers and trends.

Today, O Benfica continues to reach fans in print and digital formats. The entire edition can be downloaded free of charge every week from the Club's Official Website, as well as being made available through the SLB channel on WhatsApp – a modern and accessible way of bringing the newspaper to more Benfica fans, wherever they are.