The 2025–26 I-League kicks off on 19 October 2025, marking the start of a new season full of excitement, rivalries, and fresh talent. October is especially significant as it introduces new clubs like Diamond Harbour FC and Chanmari FC, revives traditional regional clashes, and serves as the primary domestic football platform amid uncertainty in the Indian Super League. Early-season matches in October set the tone for promotion, relegation, and player performance, while engaging fans across India from Kashmir to Kerala.
Tournament Format – I-League 2025–26
The tournament format for the 2025–26 I-League:
1. Competition Level
• The I-League is the second tier of Indian football, just below the ISL.
• The league winner normally earns promotion to the ISL, though the current ISL uncertainty may affect this.
2. Number of Teams
• Expected to feature 12–14 clubs.
• Includes returning teams + new entrants Diamond Harbour FC and Chanmari FC.
• Sporting Bengaluru and Delhi’s relegation is currently on hold pending an AIFF appeal decision.
3. League Format
• Double Round-Robin system.
• Each team plays every other team twice (home & away).
• Points system:
- Win = 3 points
- Draw = 1 point
- Loss = 0 points
4. Standings & Championship
• Final league positions determined by:
1. Total points
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored
4. Head-to-head record (if needed)
• The club finishing 1st is crowned I-League Champion.
5. Promotion & Relegation
• Promotion: Normally, the league champion is promoted to the Indian Super League. However, because the 2025–26 ISL season is uncertain, AIFF has yet to confirm the exact promotion pathway.
• Relegation: Usually, the bottom teams are relegated to I-League 2, but Sporting Bengaluru and Delhi’s status remains under review.
6. Schedule
• Start Date: 19 October 2025
• End Date: 30 April 2026
I-League 2025–26 Teams
The team details for the upcoming I-League 2025–26 season
Confirmed Participants
1. Gokulam Kerala FC – Kozhikode, Kerala (3-time I-League winners)
2. Churchill Brothers FC Goa – Goa (2-time I-League champions)
3. Shillong Lajong FC – Shillong, Meghalaya (returning strong from promotion last season)
4. Sreenidi Deccan FC – Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
5. Real Kashmir FC – Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
6. Aizawl FC – Aizawl, Mizoram (2016–17 I-League champions)
7. NEROCA FC – Imphal, Manipur
8. Rajasthan United FC – Jaipur, Rajasthan
9. TRAU FC – Imphal, Manipur
10. Delhi FC – New Delhi
11. Sporting Club Bengaluru – Bengaluru
12. Diamond Harbour FC – West Bengal (newly promoted from I-League 2)
13. Chanmari FC – Mizoram (newly promoted from I-League 2)
Match Details Confirmed
• The I-League 2025–26 season is scheduled to run from 19 October 2025 to 30 April 2026.
• Specific match fixtures, such as which teams play on which dates, venues, or kickoff times—for October or any other month—have not yet been published.
I-League 2025–26 – Venues
The I-League 2025–26 Venue Details :
South India
• Gokulam Kerala FC → EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode → 50,000
• Sreenidi Deccan FC → Deccan Arena, Hyderabad → 1,500
• Sporting Bengaluru → Bangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru → 8,400
East & North-East
• Aizawl FC → Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl (Mizoram) → 20,000
• Chanmari FC → (Mizoram) Venue TBA
• Shillong Lajong FC → SSA Stadium, Shillong (Meghalaya) → 5,000
• NEROCA FC → Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal (Manipur) → 35,000
• TRAU FC → Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal (Manipur) → 35,000
• Diamond Harbour FC → Naihati Stadium, West Bengal → 25,000
North India
• Real Kashmir FC → TRC Turf Ground, Srinagar (J&K) → 10,000
• Delhi FC → Venue TBA (previously Ambedkar Stadium / Mahilpur ground)
West India
• Churchill Brothers FC Goa → Raia Panchayat Ground, Goa → 8,000
• Rajasthan United FC → Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium, Jaipur (Rajasthan) → 3,000
Importance of I-League 2025–26 in October
The detailed importance of the I-League 2025–26 in October:
1. Season Opener & Fresh Excitement
• The I-League 2025–26 begins on 19 October 2025, and this marks the official return of India’s longest-running national league competition. October will witness the very first kick-off, setting the rhythm and tone for the entire season.
• Fans, clubs, and players see October as the moment when Indian domestic football truly comes alive again after the off-season.
2. Debut of New Clubs
• Two clubs—Diamond Harbour FC (West Bengal) and Chanmari FC (Mizoram)—will make their historic debuts in the I-League this October.
• Their first matches are highly anticipated, not just for their fans but also for neutrals, as they bring fresh energy, rivalries, and local identities into the competition.
3. Revival of Regional Rivalries
• October is when traditional football rivalries come back into the spotlight:
- Northeast derbies (Shillong Lajong vs NEROCA vs Aizawl vs TRAU vs Chanmari).
- Goan pride with Churchill Brothers.
- Southern battles (Gokulam Kerala vs Sreenidi Deccan vs Sporting Bengaluru).
• These early fixtures fuel regional pride and set the emotional stage for the season.
4. National Spotlight Amid ISL Uncertainty
• With the Indian Super League 2025–26 season delayed/uncertain due to disputes, the I-League’s October launch gains greater importance.
• For fans, October may bring the only top-level domestic football available in India, giving the I-League unprecedented visibility.
5. Talent Showcase & Scouting Platform
• October matches will be closely followed by scouts, coaches, and national selectors.
• Emerging Indian players often make their breakthroughs in the early weeks of the I-League, before fatigue and injuries affect performance.
• October is crucial for youngsters to make a mark early and secure playing time, contracts, or even a pathway into the ISL or national team.
6. Fan Culture & Atmosphere
• October signals the return of live football atmospheres in stadiums across India.
• From the snowy stands of Srinagar to the packed crowds in Kozhikode, fans get to cheer their teams again after months, making October the most awaited month for Indian football lovers.
7. Promotion & Relegation Stakes Begin
• While the title race will stretch until April 2026, October is when promotion dreams and relegation battles quietly begin.
• Every point gained or dropped in October can prove decisive by the end of the season, making the opening fixtures critical for every team.
Conclusion – I-League 2025–26 in October
The I-League 2025–26 begins in October with fresh energy, historic debuts, and renewed rivalries, making it one of the most significant football months in India. With the Indian Super League facing uncertainty, the I-League steps into the spotlight as the main stage of domestic football, carrying the hopes of fans, players, and clubs nationwide. October is not just about the opening matches—it represents the revival of Indian football tradition, the rise of new challengers, and the platform for future stars to shine.
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