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
1988–89 S.L. Benfica season Their next match was a Clássico with second-place Porto, ending in a draw. Until Christmas, Benfica increased their lead to four points. However, they lost for the first time in the next match, with Boavista, followed by a second consecutive loss with Penafiel, which did cause them to lose their first place because Porto also lost. In the following weeks, Benfica racked up wins and increased their lead to six points by March. The Clássico on the 29th match-day helped define the course of the remainder of the season. It was Porto's last hope of closing the gap, but Benfica