S.L. Benfica 2015, Benfica reported to have 246,401 members; however, after a scheduled renumbering by the club in August 2015, the number decreased to 156,916. In April 2017, Benfica reported they had a total of 184,264 members by 31 December 2016. Benfica has rivalries with Sporting CP and FC Porto, with whom it forms the "Big Three": Portugal's most decorated clubs. None of them have been relegated from the Portuguese league since its establishment in 1934. As Lisbon-based clubs, Benfica and Sporting have shared a rivalry for over a century; it all started in 1907 when eight prominent Benfica players defected to
1979–80 S.L. Benfica season 13 April, Benfica visited Estádio de Alvalade to play Sporting, losing 3–1, with the gap to the leader Porto now at six points. Wilson complained of a "skilful" referee. Out of race, Benfica closed April with a draw against Boavista, increasing to seven the difference to the leader. May started with an away win against Varzim, for the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. They would meet Porto in the final for the fifth time in history. On 1 June, Benfica ended the Primeira Divisão campaign with 45 points, in third place. Not since 1954 had Benfica gone so long without