The history of Boavista FC
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
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Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
Beginnings and the chequered kit
Founded as The Boavista Footballers
English and Portuguese youths establish the club in Porto's Boavista district.
Brothers Harry and Dick Lowe are among the founders. The team initially wear black shirts and shorts; the familiar chequered design arrives decades later.
The name Boavista Futebol Clube
The Boavista Footballers become Boavista Futebol Clube under Portuguese leadership.
The change marks the transition from the club's English influenced beginnings to its lasting Portuguese identity.
The chequered identity arrives
Boavista introduce their black and white chequered kit in a 4–0 win over Benfica.
The new shirt and crest establish the identity still associated with the club. Boavista also links the match to its first professional players.
Cups and Europe
First Portuguese Cup triumph
Boavista beat Benfica 2–1 in the Taça de Portugal final.
At Lisbon's former Estádio José Alvalade, the club's first national cup begins its most successful cup era.
Portuguese Cup retained
Boavista beat Vitória Guimarães 2–1 in the final and retain the Taça de Portugal.
The final takes place at Porto's Estádio das Antas. Boavista also finish runners up in the league that season.
Third cup after a replay
Boavista win the Portuguese Cup final replay against Sporting 1–0.
The first final ends 1–1, so a replay at the Estádio Nacional settles the 1978/79 Taça de Portugal.
First Super Cup
Boavista win 2–1 at FC Porto and claim their first Portuguese Super Cup.
The Portuguese federation classifies the 1979 edition as unofficial, while the club includes it in its honours.
4–1 against Atlético Madrid
Boavista beat Atlético Madrid 4–1 at the Bessa in the UEFA Cup.
The first round victory in 1981/82 becomes an early European highlight for the club.
Holders Inter beaten
Boavista beat Inter Milan 2–1 at the Bessa in the UEFA Cup.
Against the defending UEFA Cup winners, Boavista score twice and protect their lead with a 0–0 draw in Milan. The tie is among the club's early European landmarks.
Porto derby in the cup final
Boavista beat FC Porto 2–1 for their fourth Taça de Portugal.
The city derby at the Estádio Nacional yields another major title.
Super Cup after a two-goal comeback
A 2–2 draw against FC Porto secures Boavista the 1992 Super Cup.
Boavista had won the first leg 2–1 at the Estádio das Antas. In the return at the former Bessa, they recover from 0–2 down and prevail 4–3 on aggregate.
Fifth Taça de Portugal triumph
Boavista beat Benfica 3–2 in the final.
At the Estádio Nacional, the black and whites claim their most recent Portuguese Cup. Erwin Sánchez scores twice.
Super Cup against Porto
A 2–0 home win over FC Porto puts Boavista on course for the Super Cup.
Boavista lose the return 0–1 but win the 1997 Super Cup 2–1 on aggregate, their third including the unofficial 1979 edition.
Champions and European nights
First Champions League group stage
Boavista win the qualifying return against Brøndby 4–2 after extra time.
After a 2–1 win in Denmark, elimination looms at 1–2 in the Bessa. Three extra-time goals take Boavista through 6–3 on aggregate and into the group stage for the first time.
Boavista become Portuguese champions
A 3–0 win over Desportivo das Aves secures the club's first league title.
Jaime Pacheco's side clinch the title at the former Estádio do Bessa with a match to spare. Boavista finish with 23 wins, eight draws and three defeats.
Opening night at Anfield
Boavista draw 1–1 at Liverpool to open their 2001/02 Champions League campaign.
Silva gives the Portuguese champions an early lead before Michael Owen equalises. Boavista later reach the second group stage.
Champions League win over Dortmund
Boavista beat Borussia Dortmund 2–1 in the Champions League.
The home victory over the 1997 European champions helps Boavista reach the second group stage.
Boavista lose the semi-final second leg 0–1 to Celtic and narrowly miss the final.
After a 1–1 draw in Glasgow, Henrik Larsson's late goal settles the return at the former Bessa. Boavista had eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, Hertha BSC and Málaga.
The new Bessa opens
Estádio do Bessa Século XXI opens after its reconstruction for UEFA EURO 2004.
From 1998 to 2003, the former Bessa's stands are replaced one at a time while Boavista continue to play there. The new ground occupies the historic site.
Crisis and recovery
Administrative relegation and crisis
Boavista leave the top division in 2008 after the Apito Final decision.
The drop is not explained by league position alone. Financial and legal difficulties shape the years in lower divisions that follow.
Return to the Primeira Liga
Boavista return to Portugal's top division in 2014 after six years away.
Court decisions clear the way for readmission. The club compete in the Primeira Liga again from 2014/15.
Professional football falls away again
After relegation in 2024/25, Boavista's football company is denied admission to the 2025/26 professional competitions.
The football company's difficulties are separate from the continued existence of Boavista Futebol Clube as a multisport club. The club remains active and works on recovery.
Club recovery effort
Boavista announce an agreement with a major creditor as a step towards financial recovery.
The club seeks to halt an asset auction and have a recovery plan considered. This does not yet establish a return of the men's professional team.