The club
Our history
Since 1965, in yellow and green, serving Mafra and the Saloia region.
Who we are
Mafra's sporting ambassador
Clube Desportivo de Mafra is the sporting ambassador of the town and municipality of Mafra and of the Saloia region. Founded on 24 May 1965 and playing in yellow and green, it refounded an earlier club with the same crest, created in 1940.
For most of its existence the club played in the district divisions, and only made its debut in national competitions in the 1990s. From 2015/16 it took a big step up: it reached the II Liga (Portugal's second tier) and made some historic cup runs.
Professional football is run by Clube Desportivo de Mafra – Futebol, SAD, which includes the First Team and, since 2025/26, the U19 team.
- 1965Year founded
- 7Consecutive seasons in professional football
- 47Points in the II Liga in 2022/23, the club's best tally
Timeline
Milestone by milestone
From the early years in the district divisions to the start of a new cycle.
1940
A first Clube Desportivo de Mafra
Founded with the same crest as today's club, it eventually disappeared. It would be refounded in 1965.
1965
The club is founded
Clube Desportivo de Mafra is founded on 24 May and its first statutes are approved on 19 October. Until then the municipal seat had no club to represent it.
1990s
First national competitions
After decades in the district divisions, the club makes its debut in national competitions.
2015/16
Debut in the II Liga
The club takes part in the II Liga for the first time.
2017/18
Promotion to the II Liga
The club is promoted to the II Liga.
2019/20
Taça de Portugal round of 16
A historic run in the Taça de Portugal, reaching the round of 16.
2020/21
Taça da Liga quarter-finals
The club reaches the quarter-finals of the Taça da Liga.
2021/22
Taça de Portugal semi-finals
The club reaches the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal.
2022/23
Best points tally in the II Liga
47 points, the club's best ever in the division.
2023
The Football Collective arrives
On 15 August, Danish company The Football Collective buys part of the shares held by Footclub Investments SGPS in CD Mafra – Futebol, SAD and becomes majority shareholder with 80%. Two seasons in the II Liga follow, built around young players.
2025
Relegation to the Liga 3
In May, after seven consecutive seasons in professional football, the club drops to the Liga 3 (third tier) and announces a rebuilding plan with better infrastructure and a future academy. In August the U19 team joins the SAD.
2025/26
Championship Stage of the Liga 3
The club reaches the Championship Stage of the Liga 3.
2026
A new cycle
Finland's Tim Sparv becomes head coach for 2026/27 and Capelli Sport becomes the official kit supplier. On 5 August the club announces the purchase of land for a football academy.
Vision and project
The project for the future
CEO Per Rud sums up the club's ambition:
To train our own players, from Mafra's youth ranks to the first team.
Per Rud, CEO
The aim is a high-performance environment where every player can reach the highest level or move on to big clubs. The project rests on:
- modern infrastructure: a renovated training pitch, changing rooms, gym, medical rooms and an auditorium;
- our own youth development;
- partnerships with clubs in the municipality, such as CD Venda do Pinheiro;
- close ties with the community.
Become a CD Mafra member
Support the club, enjoy perks at home matches and wear the convent on your chest.