Great article, and boy this is a tough topic.

Attendance has always been a problem in Portugal. I believe that the main reason for it, like it has been mentioned, is most people are fans of the "Big Three" and barely keep an eye toward their regional team. Everyone wants to root for a winner and/or for a club with history.
I don't agree with the thought that bringing in regional players would help smaller clubs. How many players exactly could Naval bring in? Aren't they near Coimbra and be competing for that same talent? Same holds true for Rio Ave, who would be competing with Braga, Porto and Guimaraes, no?
The problem is not the nationality of the players, but the way clubs run their marketing and outreach programs. Meaning that they have none. A club has to reach out to the community through events, gatherings, promotions, etc... I don't think that any of that goes on.
I was in Portugal last season, and actually went to a Belenenses match, since Benfica was away. Unless I went and took a look at the schedule, I never would have known there was a game. I just wanted to take in a game and being from the area, I thought it was great. It wasn't the greatest match, but I admit that I actually enjoyed myself in watching them beat Naval 2-0. I also admit if the match had taken place in the afternoon, it would have been much better. It would have been great to go out to dinner after the match and discuss the game and take in the sights. Instead of just going to the Docas for drinks afterwards, I would have sat for dinner and spent more money.
To underline the lack of marketing, I also had the opportunity to go see Setubal play, and was in the city when a game was going to take place, yet you would have never known it.
Plenty of clubs have a lot of Portuguese players, yet you don't see them filling the stadiums. The fact is that clubs themselves don't do anything to promote themselves, their players, or try to integrate themselves into their communities. This holds true for the "Big Three" as well, since they feel as if they don't have to.

I always thought that the pricing was expensive, but after being there I thought it wasn't that bad. Maybe it's because I'm used to the prices in the US. I do agree that clubs need to and should hold better promotions in order to get people in the stands. How about a child gets in for free with an adult. Block off a section for families. Buy three, get one free. Are there game packages available?
I bought great seats, seven in total, for the Benfica thrashing of Setubal last year, but I'm glad I didn't bring my daughter. Eventhough there isn't alcohol being sold, next to me was an idiot screaming obsenities for no reason at all. It was simply idiotic in how he and his buddy just screamed, not cheered, about everything. Not necessarly a friendly atmosphere, and this was with Benfica winning easily. Keep in mind that I wouldn't bring my daughter to an NFL game either.

The revenue sharing isn't going to work. It doesn't work in Hockey, and to a lesser extent the MLB. The Pittsburgh Pirates owner is basically pocketing the money he gets from the Yankees instead of making his club better. He could care less if the Pirates win or lose, since he's making a nice profit just from the luxury tax revenue. By the way, the Pirates attendance is bismal as well.

I know that people use the excuse that all the games are on TV anyway, but that's the same situation in the US. Yet the big clubs still fill the stadiums at home and on the road. Lesser clubs don't, but the big US cities have a huge pool of people to get intothe stands. Portugal smaller clubs, just don't have that. What is the population of Aveiro, that Beira-Mar has to work with? They play in a beautiful stadium, and although currently only filling it 17.7% to capacity, they are 5th in attendance with an average of 5,299.

The fact is that Portugal is a small nation of only 10 million and not everyone is a football fan. It's ok to have the "Big Three" along with a few other mainstays, Guimaraes and Braga. The key is for those mainstays to compete for a Champions League spot every so often, and have other clubs rotate in competing for an European spot with those mainstays. My biggest concern is that Portugal will become the "Big Two" because of the coefficient.

There is no easy answers, and the way the world economy is, I don't think that there are any easy solutions either. There are plenty of empty stadiums in Italy and Spain as well. The only country that seems to be doing a great job in filling teh stands is Germany.

When strolling on the site of my favorite Portuguese club, Vitoria Guimaraes, I notice on game highlights that there are hardly any fans there! Heck, when I play as Vitoria SC on FIFA 10 I have more fans at the Dom Afonso Henriques!

I like the idea of making the Portuguese League like the Scottish Premier League: making a smaller league and making incentives for clubs to build from the bottom up. I love everybody's input for a local talent base to build up smaller clubs.

I would add to that to impose a moratorium on transferring these young Portuguese players from moving to the Big 3 or other foreign clubs as a way to promote talent and showcase. Limit the number of foreign players.

Finally, make soccer specific stadiums as they are doing in the MLS. Growing markets means you must adhere to the principal of going small than going up, rather than building monster stadiums hoping for a future draw of fans in the future.

Relegation is key. Its what makes watching so great - there are always two battles going on: the battle at the top and the one at the bottom to avoid relegation... not to mention the entire 3 league system is based on relegation. If there is no hope of cracking the top flight, the lower leagues become farm systems and thats not what the game is about, this isnt MLB!!!

Everyone makes a decent argument here,but this issue angers me. Why? becuase the powers that be wont change. They have their heads in the sand , all protecting their own interests much like a lot of European leagues.

Fans arent turning up becuase mainly

1. Its boring,
2. Its not competitive
3. A lot of clubs are'nt solvent
4. No local identity (foreigners)



The whole league needs to be reviewed by an independent body.
Considerations should include

draft
salary caps
kick off times
foreigners limits
solvency criteria
reduction in teams
better distribution of income

It baffles me how a nation of 10million has so many professional teams.

Id rather have a SET 10 team league with NO relegation. This way at least half the teams would qualify for europe every year.

What i suspect is going to happen is

NOTHING

I'd like to mention that there are two other factors that may also be considered to improve attendance. One would be to decrease the amount of clubs competing in the Sages League. This would a couple of immediate benefits.The obvious one would be more revenue being shared by a fewer number of clubs, increased competition and the Lisbon derby happening two times in one season. The other consideration, as crazy as it may sound, is joining the Spanish La Liga. Before anyone screams treason, consider the possibility of Madrid playing Benfica or FC Porto playing Barcelona and the wealth of TV revenue making its way into Portuguese clubs. Thus, buying better players and having more success in Champions League!!!

Sergio makes some great points that would definitely help, but I think it is a larger question.. and I totally disagree with the top teams funding the poor money managers at the bottom as they already over spend.

The NHL method does not work.. and overall that league is going into the garbage bin with Gary Bettman destroying the game.

After near 30 odd years of hockey, I have barely watched a game for the last 3 years and haven't missed a beat. I don't miss the aggravation of living in the hottest market and have the league care diddly screwing us because we are constantly sold out for small market teams that waste money.

I am originally from Acores and our main teams there are Benfica and Sporting.. I don't even know how many teams are on my island and where they play, and could care less.

I think overall it is a more humanistic question that is being asked than it is a systemic issue in Portugal.. although everyone has their share of the blame.

Truth is we have more similarity to the Scottish League & Dutch than any of the top Ligas... there are few quality teams.. the others blow their budgets just trying to keep it civil and it gets blown out of proportion.

We shouldn't subsidize the small teams extortionately hoping for the best because we have a half Italian half Frenchman in charge of UEFA who's best interests would be served by both of those leagues elevating their talent through legislation.

I didn't hear Platini screaming in the background when Serie A and the French Ligue were cheating and overpaying.. now that the French and Italian leagues are 3rd rate at best.. the cries of poverty come in.

Mr. Platini should be concentrating on the diving douche bags from France and Italy as well as other countries that have won trophies through disgrace, not skill and continually detract all the people with disposable income.

My point being.. and I am sure many won't agree but will state it anyways... the time for so many leagues of separated talent is over.. the Big 16 have been pushing for a while to create a Super League, and they are spot on.

Even in the greatest Ligas in Europe there is no competition.. it is the haves and the have-nots.. and that isn't entertaining to the average fan, hence empty stadiums for teams that don't stack up to their bigger cousins.

In England which is the strongest league there is 4 possibly 5 good teams, Spain 3, Italy 1 or 2, Germany 1, Holland 2, etc etc.. Portugal 3..

The reason we have clung to 3 so tightly is because they win.. people rarely support losers.. rare few exceptions with Toronto in the NHL being one of them, but that is corporate money, and not fan money .

Part of the main problem with Footie is its lack of status for the business giant.. going to some Toronto or NY Ranger private boxes on a sold out night with very few drunk average Joes.. is a status symbol.

The prices shouldn't be lowered they should be raised if you want to make money. Make it cosier get rid of the hooligans... add exclusive areas.. make it for the wealthy and elite.. and make the venues more exclusive. That is the answer.

Then ordinary people will complain about the prices as they save for 3 months to go to a game with their son and then barely be able to get a seat.

Same philosophy works in love.. you are too accessible and easy and no woman wants to sleep with you.. walk into a club with 3 girls on your arm and loving on you and a lineup will start. It is all about status.

Truth is a Super League is long overdue.. fact is there will probably only be one Portuguese team in it per year.. but we will be near the top of the Super Championship League or whatever they call the second division.

I would rather see more competitive football games than the crazy stuff that goes on in Portugal with the silliness of the FA that runs it like a bunch of amateurs.

Many great comments throughout this post.. with the price of Sport TV.. vs gates.. although I do think what it is missing is an exclusive feel most older people with money do not want to mess with riff raff as it makes their panties get moist.

As for Luis.. he is right Queiroz should be immediately fired from the National Team. He is a second rate boss who is only fit to manage a youth squad and his track record has proved that repeatedly over long periods of time, so I second the notion that he should manage youth development..

although I am not as xenophobic.. I sometimes wish the Managers would invest in the sparkling homegrown talent that they never or rarely play. Take Benfica and Coentrao for example.. he gets a minor run-out.. but Ramires who is tired from not having a break for 1 1/2 because of the differing Brazil schedule.. gets started ahead.

I like Ramires but he even played in the Confed Cup during the summer not to mention qualifying for the WC, he is blown out.. rest the guy.

Anyways things won't change.. the BIG 3 are what they are and will always be. I take pride in them in Europe.. sure Braga is having a great year and Vitoria Guim has there moments.. but reality is changing for a less xenophobic more centralized Super League.. where the games mean more and where countries support a team or two.. and the games are at their highest week in and week out.. with other teams vying in Division Two to make their crack at the European Super League.

I want to see Man U playing Real or Benfica more often.. not less.. so why rob money from our competitive teams in the Liga Sagres to bolster the overspending ones at the bottom that cheat us out of high scoring games by overspending and blowing their budgets.

I offer a different perspective for you to ponder.

Keep up the great posts gentlemen.

First off lots of feedback nice that people care. Lots of great points, a few of my thoughts. Those Monday games Rio ave vs Academica gotta go, Here in toronto we get Radio play of live games via Antena 1 and those games never broadcast. When Portugal hosted the 2004 EURO a few Stadiums were built or Fixed up, HUGE mistake except for the big three too big for the population in some places.

We pay big money to watch the big three play here in Canada $3500 for six matches and some europe cup, mostly bar owners subscribe. And at home RTPi is $20 a month 1 channel showing 1 game a week. Free to air I might add if you have a dish (LEGAL FREE TO AIR) shows National squad atleast, we used to have the liga package 3 years ago I think $400 for the season. couldn't sell never offered again.

I love SLB and we have to pay lots to watch, thanks for internet. Last thought Carlos Queiroz, has done something Scholari never did find world wide Portugues talent, Duda comes to mind Scholari had his starting 11 the rest were expericenced players on the bench, after FIGO, COSTA, PAULETA etc left, he left. Ronaldo will always be the man love em or hate him but carlos has a handle of his talent pool and is using it. FORCA SLB!!

In the U.S. the NFL imposes blackouts in the local media market if the stadium isnt full. The Liga should consider doing this - I'm not suggesting requiring full houses, but set a minimum standard based on the size of the club. For instance, smaller clubs would have to draw 2,500 or 3,000 or else their game will not be televised locally. For the medium sized clubs (Braga and Guimaraes) make it 12,000 or 13,000, and for the Big three make it 25,000 or something. That way, if a club doesnt draw the minimum, their game wont be televised locally. That will get people off the couches and into the stadiums (in addition to the other good suggestions the author offers)...

I live in England and the problem is much the same. Too many "fans" suport the big clubs and smaller local teams are squeezed.

I agree with that it would be better to have more home-grown players and to have a sense of community. I lived just outside Lisbon in 2004 and one of the Mafra players was a regular at my church. I went to see him train and play a friendly. If I had had a car I would have liked to go to more matches simply for thar reason

To Jon in the US, there is definitely regional loyalty in Portugal. But, seeing how small the country is, it mostly focuses on the North vs. South. And looking outside the big three, the problem lies in the fact that the South has no marginally successful teams outside the two Lisboa outfits. The North, besides FCP, has Braga, Guimaraes, and if they ever get back up, Boavista.

I also have to agree with the argument regarding European places. Having that third Champions League spot did wonders, but blame Sporting and Benfica for not taking advantage of it and rarely qualifying from that third spot. Time after time it was only Porto going through to the knockout phase and eventually our lack of success caught up with us. I'm praying Benfica win the Europa, Sporting go far, and Porto make at least the quarters in the CL. It's a start, and it's money being sent to Portuguese teams.

I'm upset because I've also heard that Leiria and Beira-Mar (second division) have to take down there stadiums because of economic crisis, which there stadiums being recently built in 2003. My mom is from Aveiro so I have a place for Beira-Mar in my heart and it's going to be sad to see that beautiful stadium not being used anymore. The Big Three will never have attendance trouble, but I really like that fact that Vitoria Guimaraes and Braga are in the same category as the Big Three. Guimaraes has very loyal fans and passionate fans so I'm not surprised by that, Braga as well. I only wish somehow it can change for the better.

interesting piece. It really is an issue for Portuguese football,not mention the stadiums from the european championships.

excellent article Sergio, I completely agree with everything you say, but I don't think that we will ever come close to matching the attendances of other leagues. Like what you said, Portuguese people are pretty much only loyal to Portugal as a whole unlike countries like Italy and Spain where people are just as loyal, if not more loyal, to their region and therefore madly support their local teams. However in the very small nation of Portugal, people support one of the big 3 especially benfica, which is why it is considered theteam of Portugal.

I agree with the other things you mentioned about home growing players and the match times, but the true root of this problem is the small population and the dominance of the big 3.