Futebol Clube de Arouca was founded on 25 December 1951 in Arouca, a municipality in the Aveiro district within the Porto metropolitan area of northern Portugal. For the first five decades of its existence, the club competed exclusively in the regional leagues of Aveiro, far removed from the professional game. A sustained period of growth beginning in the mid-2000s changed that picture dramatically: in just two years between 2006 and 2008, Arouca climbed from the regional tier to the third division, and by the end of the 2012–13 season they had completed a fourth promotion in seven years, reaching the Primeira Liga for the first time in their history. The Arouca Municipality marked the achievement by awarding the club its Medal of Gold Merit.
Arouca's proudest chapter in the top flight came in 2015–16 under manager Lito Vidigal, when the club finished fifth in the Primeira Liga — their best-ever league position — and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. They defeated Dutch side Heracles Almelo on away goals in the qualifying rounds before falling to Greek giants Olympiacos in the play-off. Relegation followed a year later, and after two seasons in the second division, a dramatic final day in May 2019 sent them down to the amateur ranks, ending a nine-year run in professional football.
On the honours board, Arouca hold the Segunda Divisão title from 2009–10 and the Terceira Divisão from 2007–08, trophies that trace the remarkable upward arc of the club. Their identity is rooted in a small-town resilience — a compact stadium, a loyal regional fanbase, and a habit of punching well above their weight on the national stage.