Competition
The Portuguese Third Division was established in 1948 and currently has 7 Sections with the Championship of each being divided into two phases.
The 6 Sections (A, B, C, D, E, F) within Mainland Portugal each have 12 teams and play 22 matches in the first phase. This is followed by the second phase where the top 6 teams in each Section compete in the Promotion Group and play 10 matches to determine the champion teams from each Group that will be promoted to Portuguese Second Division. The last 6 teams in each Section compete in the Relegation Group and play 10 matches to determine the last 3 teams to be relegated to the District Leagues.
In the Azores Section there are 10 teams that play 18 matches in the first phase. This is followed by the second phase where the top 4 teams in the Section compete in the Promotion Group and play 6 matches to determine the champion team that will be promoted to Portuguese Second Division. However limitations are placed on promotion to the Portuguese Second Division dependent upon the position of the 6 teams from Madeira competing in the Second Division Championship. If no teams from Azores finish in a relegation position in Second Division then the lowest placed team plays a two leg play-off with the winners of the Third Division Azores Section to determine the remaining team from Azores that will compete in the Second Division. The last 6 teams in the Section compete in the Relegation Group and play 10 matches to determine the last 3 teams to be relegated to the District Leagues. If there are six Azores teams in the Second Division similar play-off arrangements apply as in Madeira.
Read more about this topic: Portuguese Third Division
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