Rio Ave FC Rio Ave FC is a Portuguese football club based in Vila do Conde, founded on 10 May 1939. The club derives its name from the Ave River, which meets the Atlantic Ocean in the town. The team traditionally plays in green-and-white striped shirts and is commonly nicknamed 'Rioavistas' or 'Os Vilacondenses'.
Since 1985, the club's home venue has been Estádio dos Arcos (officially Estádio do Rio Ave FC). In domestic football, Rio Ave FC's highest achievements include reaching the final of the Taça de Portugal twice, in 1984 and 2014. In the 2014 final, the side was defeated 2–0 by Benfica. That same year, the club also reached the final of the Taça da Liga. Over the years, prominent players who have represented the club include goalkeeper Jan Oblak, midfielder Fabinho, winger Diogo Jota, and striker Mehdi Taremi. Notable managers such as Nuno Espírito Santo and Carlos Carvalhal also launched key stages of their managerial careers at the club.
In European competitions, Rio Ave FC has featured in the UEFA Europa League on multiple occasions. Their most notable campaigns include competing in the group stage during the 2014–15 season and a 2020–21 qualifying play-off against AC Milan that was decided by a 24-penalty shootout.