Benfica, FC Porto, OC Barcelos and CE Noia will battle it out in the Final Four of the Men’s WSE Champions League in rink hockey, taking place in Matosinhos on 10 and 11 May. Matches will be held at the city’s Sports and Congress Centre. Tickets for the classic showdown and Iberian duel are already on sale
With the quarter-finals of the WSE Champions League behind us, the decisive fixtures of the Final Four are now confirmed. The matches will take place at the Sports and Congress Centre of Matosinhos, with the semi-finals scheduled for 10 May. As before, a purpose-built rink will be installed for the occasion, hosting three Portuguese teams and one Spanish side.
The draw, predetermined beforehand, has paired OC Barcelos of Portugal with Spain’s CE Noia, and set up a classic all-Portuguese tie between SL Benfica and FC Porto. The first match — the classic encounter — kicks off at 12 noon, while the second semi-final, the Iberian derby, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The final will be played the following day, 11 May, at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets for the semi-final matches, priced at €10, are already available online at blueticket.pt and at the box office of the Sports and Congress Centre of Matosinhos, although in the latter case, only on match days.
FC Porto and OC Barcelos return to the Final Four after participating last year, aiming for better outcomes, having both been knocked out in the semi-finals by Sporting CP and UD Oliveirense respectively.
All four teams competing in this Final Four have previously lifted the coveted trophy. Among them, they hold a total of seven European Champion Cups: FC Porto three times (2022/23, 1989/90, and 1985/86), SL Benfica twice (2015/16 and 2012/13), CE Noia once (1988/89), and OC Barcelos once (1990/91).
The Sports and Congress Centre of Matosinhos takes over from the SuperBock Arena as the venue for the WSE Champions League Final Four. Inaugurated in 1996, this facility seats around 4,000 spectators and has hosted various sporting events over the years, most recently the Portuguese Cups in futsal and basketball.
It is worth noting that Matosinhos is the European City of Sport for 2025, setting the stage for a top-level competition featuring the world’s best rink hockey players.
Statements:
Orlando Panza, Chairman of World Skate Europe
“The WSE Champions League Final Four reflects the joint effort in the constant pursuit of excellence at every level, particularly in terms of organisation, ensuring it stands on par with the world’s top sporting competitions. We are confident this will be a memorable event, showcasing high-quality matches, an extraordinary atmosphere, and a stage worthy of the grandeur of its protagonists. That’s what hockey deserves.”
Nuno Matos, Councillor for Sport, Matosinhos City Council
“WSE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MEN: Matosinhos once again plays host to a major sporting event. Matosinhos continues to establish itself as a hub for indoor sports with the hosting of the Rink Hockey Champions League, whose 2025 edition kicks off on 10 and 11 May. This event, which has become a benchmark in both national and international sporting calendars, promises another Final Four in 2025 filled with competition and sporting promotion.
More than just a competition, this event represents a genuine movement to promote a sport so emblematic of the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the series of major events taking place in Matosinhos as the European City of Sport, reflecting the city’s sporting identity.
A Territory That Lives and Breathes Sport
With top-class facilities, Matosinhos has established itself as a leading destination for roller sports. The municipality continues to invest in the upkeep and quality of sports infrastructure, as well as in supporting the local sports network. This event reflects that commitment, bringing together athletes, families, and both public and private entities in a space that promotes sport and the values associated with it.
The Matosinhos City Council and Matosinhos Sport are key strategic partners in the development of this event, working in close collaboration with local clubs that proudly represent us in the sport.”
Matosinhos truly is a Sea of Sport.