Arouca
FC Arouca (FCA)
Overview
Futebol Clube de Arouca is a Portuguese club founded in 1952 in the small town of Arouca, located in Aveiro district in northern Portugal. Long an amateur club evolving in lower divisions, Arouca experienced meteoric rise in the early 2010s, accessing Primeira Liga for the first time in 2013 and maintaining themselves for several consecutive seasons—a true feat for a town of only 22,000 inhabitants.
The club plays home matches at Estádio Municipal de Arouca, a modern 5,000-capacity stadium inaugurated in 2004, offering intimate and warm atmosphere. In 2016, Arouca achieved the feat of winning the Portuguese Cup, their first and only major title, by defeating Benfica on penalties in the final—one of modern Portuguese football's greatest exploits. This victory allowed the club to participate in the Europa League.
Arouca distinguishes itself through astute recruitment and rigorous management enabling them to compete with clubs possessing far superior means. The club has formed and revealed several Portuguese football talents. Arouquense supporters, though few in number, are extremely loyal and create a unique family atmosphere. Arouca represents Portuguese football's romanticism, proving that with ambition and work, even the smallest clubs can achieve great things.