Amarante Futebol Clube (abbreviated as Amarante FC) is a Portuguese football club based in Amarante in the district of Porto.
Amarante Futebol Clube was founded on 4 March 1923 by Pompeu da Cunha Brochado, then just 19 years old, marking the start of a sporting history that spans over a century. The clubâÂÂs first official match took place on 31 May of the same year, against Stê. Natália, resulting in a convincing 4âÂÂ0 victory. In its early years, Amarante FC played at various grounds, such as Campo da Praça (1923âÂÂ1925), Campo da Florestal (1925âÂÂ1926), Campo da Feira (1931âÂÂ1933) and, later, Campo da Barroca (1934âÂÂ1981), which would eventually give way to the current Estádio Municipal de Amarante, opened in 1981 and refurbished in 2006. The club joined the Porto Football Association in 1934, cementing its participation in official competitions.
Over the decades, Amarante FC distinguished itself through its ability to rise through the ranks and overcome challenges. In 1935, it was crowned regional champion of the Porto Football Association, an early milestone in its history. In the following decades, the club won several district titles, progressing through the divisions: in 1953, it moved up from the 3rd to the 2nd District Division; in 1964, it reached the 1st District Division; and in 1966, it competed for the first time in the Third Division, winning its group and reaching the quarterfinals.
The period between the 1970s and 1990s was marked by historic moments, such as promotion to the Second Division in 1979, where the club remained for three consecutive seasons, and the memorable draw against Sporting CP in the Portuguese Cup, which forced the Lions into a play-off match at Estádio José Alvalade. In the following decades, Amarante FC continued to alternate between national and district leagues, with highlights including promotions to the Second Division in 1985 and 1988.
In recent years, Amarante FC has established itself as a competitive and ambitious club. In 2015, it reached the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup for the first time, after beating MarÃÂtimo 1-0. In 2023-24, it secured a historic promotion to Liga 3 following an outstanding campaign in the Campeonato de Portugal which culminated with Amarante FC being crowned national champion of that competition after beating Vitória FC 3-0 at Estádio Nacional. Currently, the club maintains a structured and sustainable sporting project, standing out for its stability and competitiveness in Liga 3, as well as its ongoing commitment to youth development and the celebration of its history, as evidenced by the opening of the Club Museum in 2017.