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{{Infobox league system
{{Infobox league system
| image =
| image =
| image_size = 220px
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| country = India
| country = India
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| cup = {{Unbulleted list|
| cup = {{Unbulleted list|
* '''Men:'''
* '''Men:'''
** [[Super Cup (India) ]]
** [[Super Cup (India)]]
** [[Durand Cup]]
** [[Durand Cup]]
}}
}}
}}
}}

The '''Indian football league system''' is the [[league system|league structure]] of [[association football|football]] club competitions in [[India]]. The highest level of men's club football competition is the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFC Executive Committee approve Indian football roadmap |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap|access-date=2021-10-18|website=All India Football Federation |date=26 Oct 2019 |archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917201857/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The AFC|url=https://www.the-afc.com/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=the-AFC.com |language=en|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127084931/https://www.the-afc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian Women's League]], founded in 2016, is the highest level of [[Women's association football|women's football]] club competition in India.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Rohan Puri|date=Apr 21, 2016|title=Women's football league from October |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/womens-football-league-from-october/articleshow/51922352.cms|access-date=2021-11-07|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062247/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/womens-football-league-from-october/articleshow/51922352.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
The '''Indian football league system''' is the [[league system|league structure]] of [[association football|football]] club competitions in [[India]]. The highest level of men's club football competition is the [[Indian Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFC Executive Committee approve Indian football roadmap |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap|access-date=2021-10-18|website=All India Football Federation |date=26 Oct 2019 |archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917201857/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The AFC|url=https://www.the-afc.com/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=the-AFC.com |language=en|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127084931/https://www.the-afc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian Women's League]], founded in 2016, is the highest level of [[Women's association football|women's football]] club competition in India.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Rohan Puri|date=Apr 21, 2016|title=Women's football league from October |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/womens-football-league-from-october/articleshow/51922352.cms|access-date=2021-11-07|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107062247/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/womens-football-league-from-october/articleshow/51922352.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}

==Men's==
==Men's==
The Indian men's football league system consists of the top 4 national divisions organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and commercial partners [[Football Sports Development Limited|FSDL]]. From tier 5 are the various regional state football leagues, organized by the respective [[List of Indian state football associations|state associations]] under AIFF affiliation.
The Indian men's football league system consists of the top 4 national divisions organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and commercial partners [[Football Sports Development Limited|FSDL]]. From tier 5 are the various regional state football leagues, organized by the respective [[List of Indian state football associations|state associations]] under AIFF affiliation.
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|-
|-
!1
!1
| colspan="38" |'''[[Indian Super League]]''' <br /> 13 clubs
| colspan="38" align="left"|'''[[Indian Super League]]''' <br /> 13 clubs – ↓ No relegation (2024-25)
|-
|-
!2
!2
| colspan="38" |'''[[I-League]]''' <br /> 13 clubs – 1 promotion ↑↓ 1 relegation
| colspan="38" align="left"|'''[[I-League]]''' <br /> 12 clubs – 1 promotion ↑↓ 1 relegation
|-
|-
!3
!3
| colspan="38" |'''[[I-League 2]]''' <br /> 10 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations
| colspan="38" align="left"|'''[[I-League 2]]''' <br /> 10 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations
|-
|-
!4
!4
| colspan="38" |'''[[I-League 3]]''' <br /> 25 clubs divided into 5 zones – 3 promotions ↑↓ 20 relegations
| colspan="38" align="left"|'''[[I-League 3]]''' <br /> TBA clubs – 6 promotions ↑↓ 15 relegations (provisionally)
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" |
! rowspan="3" |
! colspan="38" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
! colspan="38" | <span style="font-size:130%">''[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]''</span>
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"|State level
! rowspan="2"|State level
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! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Delhi
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Delhi
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Tamil Nadu
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Tamil Nadu
! colspan="5" width="4%" |Maharastra
! colspan="5" width="4%" |Maharashtra
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Goa
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Goa
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Jammu and Kashmir
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Jammu and Kashmir
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|'''[[Punjab State Super Football League]]'''
|'''[[Punjab State Super Football League]]'''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
|'''[[Sikkim Premier Division League|SFA A-Division S-League]]'''
|'''[[Sikkim Premier Division League|SFA "A" Division S-League]]'''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
|'''Chandra Memorial A Division League'''
|'''Chandra Memorial A Division League'''
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|'''Punjab State League Second Division'''
|'''Punjab State League Second Division'''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
|'''Sikkim B Division'''
|'''SFA "B" Division'''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
''↑promote'' ''↓relegate''
|'''Chandra Memorial B Division League'''
|'''Chandra Memorial B Division League'''
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|'''Punjab State League Third Division'''
|'''Punjab State League Third Division'''
''↑promote''
''↑promote''
|'''Sikkim C Division'''
|'''SFA "C" Division'''
''↑promote''
''↑promote''
|'''Chandra Memorial C Division League'''
|'''Chandra Memorial C Division League'''
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px ;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px ;"
|+Men's
|+Men's
⚫
! colspan="2" rowspan="3" |Level
⚫
! colspan="16" |Years
|-
|-
⚫
! colspan="2" |Years
! rowspan="2" |1888–1893
! rowspan="2" |1888–1893
! 1893–1898
! 1893–1898
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! rowspan="2" |2017–2022
! rowspan="2" |2017–2022
! rowspan="2" |2022–2023
! rowspan="2" |2022–2023
! rowspan="2" |2023–2024
! rowspan="2" |2023–present
! rowspan="2" |2024-present
|-
|-
⚫
! colspan="2" |'''Level'''
|'''1893'''
|'''1893'''
|
|
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| colspan="3" rowspan="2" bgcolor="gold" |[[I-League]]
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" bgcolor="gold" |[[I-League]]
| bgcolor="gold" |[[Indian Super League]]
| bgcolor="gold" |[[Indian Super League]]
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" bgcolor="gold" |[[Indian Super League]]
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" bgcolor="gold" |[[Indian Super League]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="gold" |[[I-League]]
| bgcolor="gold" |[[I-League]]
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| colspan="3" bgcolor="silver" |[[National Football League Second Division (India)|NFL Second Division]]
| colspan="3" bgcolor="silver" |[[National Football League Second Division (India)|NFL Second Division]]
| colspan="4" bgcolor="silver" |[[I-League 2nd Division]]
| colspan="4" bgcolor="silver" |[[I-League 2nd Division]]
| colspan="3" bgcolor="silver" |[[I-League]]
| colspan="2" bgcolor="silver" |[[I-League]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#cc9966" |'''3'''
| bgcolor="#cc9966" |'''3'''
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| bgcolor="#cc9966" |[[National Football League Third Division (India)|NFL Third Division]]
| bgcolor="#cc9966" |[[National Football League Third Division (India)|NFL Third Division]]
| colspan="4" |''Discontinued''
| colspan="4" |''Discontinued''
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#cc9966" |[[I-League 2nd Division|I-League 2]]
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#cc9966" |[[I-League 2nd Division|I-League 2]]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#dd6699" |'''4'''
| bgcolor="#dd6699" |'''4'''
| colspan="11" |''None''
| colspan="11" |''None''
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#dd6699" |[[I-League 3]]
| bgcolor="#dd6699" |[[I-League 3]]
|-
|-
! Regional leagues
! Regional leagues
| bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |'''5–11'''
| bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |'''5–11'''
| colspan="13" bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
| colspan="12" bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
|-
|-
! colspan="19" |
! colspan="18" |
|-
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="3" |Cup competitions
! colspan="2" rowspan="3" |Cup competitions
| colspan="17" bgcolor="#DEFF97" |[[Durand Cup]]
| colspan="16" bgcolor="#DEFF97" |[[Durand Cup]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |
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| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |
| colspan="8" bgcolor="#80FF54" |[[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]]
| colspan="8" bgcolor="#80FF54" |[[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]]
| colspan="4" bgcolor="#80FF54" |[[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#80FF54" |[[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]
|-
|-
|
|
| colspan="5" bgcolor="#7FEA5A" |[[Indian Super Cup (1997–2011)|Indian Super Cup]]
| colspan="5" bgcolor="#7FEA5A" |[[Indian Super Cup (1997–2011)|Indian Super Cup]]
| colspan="6" |''Discontinued''
| colspan="5" |''Discontinued''
|}
|}
</div>
</div>
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|2024
|2024
|-
|-
|[[Sikkim Premier Division League#Sikkim Premier League|Sikkim Premier League]]
|[[Sikkim Premier League]]
|[[Sikkim]]
|[[Sikkim]]
|8
|8
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|[[Manipur]]
|[[Manipur]]
|9
|9
|2023–24
|2023-24
|-
|-
|}
|}
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{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px;" width="100%;"
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px;" width="100%;"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2" | <span style="font-size:130%">Level</span>
!rowspan="1" | <span style="font-size:130%">Level</span>
! colspan="26" | <span style="font-size:130%">League(s) / Division(s)</span>
! colspan="26" | <span style="font-size:130%">National leagues</span>
|-
! colspan="26" |''National leagues''
|-
|-
!1
!1
| colspan="26" |'''[[Indian Women's League]]''' <br/> 7 clubs – ↓ 0 relegations
| colspan="26" align="left"|'''[[Indian Women's League]]''' <br/> 7 clubs – ↓ 0 relegations
|-
|-
!2
!2
| colspan="26" |'''[[Indian Women's League 2]]''' <br/> 15 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 9 relegations TBA
| colspan="26" align="left"|'''[[Indian Women's League 2]]''' <br/> 15 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 9 relegations TBA
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="26" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
! colspan="26" | <span style="font-size:130%">[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]</span>
|-
|-
!State level
!State level
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px ;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px ;"
|+Women's
|+Women's
⚫
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Level
⚫
! colspan="4" |Years
|-
|-
!1937
⚫
! colspan="2" |Years
⚫
!1991–2016
! rowspan="2" |1937
⚫
!2016–2023
⚫
! rowspan="2" |1991–2016
⚫
!2023-present
⚫
! rowspan="2" |2016–2023
⚫
! rowspan="2" |2023-present
|-
⚫
! colspan="2" |'''Level'''
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |National leagues
! rowspan="2" |National leagues
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|-
|-
! Regional leagues
! Regional leagues
| bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |'''3–5'''
| bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |'''3–'''
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#EDBCFF" |[[Indian State Leagues|State leagues]]
|}
|}
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==National football championships==
==National football championships==
The national football championships are competitions contested among the regional state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation. Currently, six championship competitions are divided into age groups for both men and women. For sponsorship ties, it is referred to as the '''[[Hero MotoCorp|Hero]] National Football Championships'''.
The '''National football Championships''' are competitions contested among the regional state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation. Currently, six championship competitions are divided into age groups for both men and women.


===Senior NFC (Santosh Trophy)===
===Senior NFC (Santosh Trophy)===
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===U-20, Junior & Sub-Junior NFC===
===U-20, Junior & Sub-Junior NFC===
{{Main|B.C. Roy Trophy|Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy}}
{{Main|B.C. Roy Trophy|Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy|M. Dutta Ray Trophy}}
The '''U-20 National Football Championship''' or '''[[Swami Vivekananda]] U20 National Football Championship'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIFF announces U20 Men's NFC; to be held in Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-announces-u20-mens-nfc-to-be-held-in-chhattisgarh |website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref> is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 20.<ref>{{Cite news |title=AIFF announces men's U20 National Championships in Chattisgarh |url=https://thebridge.in/football/aiff-announces-mens-u20-national-cships-46252 |work=thebridge.in}}</ref> All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship.
The '''U-20 National Football Championship''' or '''[[Swami Vivekananda]] U20 National Football Championship'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIFF announces U20 Men's NFC; to be held in Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-announces-u20-mens-nfc-to-be-held-in-chhattisgarh |website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref> is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 20.<ref>{{Cite news |title=AIFF announces men's U20 National Championships in Chattisgarh |url=https://thebridge.in/football/aiff-announces-mens-u20-national-cships-46252 |work=thebridge.in}}</ref> All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship.


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==Institutional League==
==Institutional League==
{{Main article|Institutional League}}
{{Main article|Institutional League}}
AIFF introduced the Institutional League for the institutional clubs. The league is not part of the Indian football pyramid.
AIFF proposed the league for its various institutional clubs.


==Notes==
==Notes==
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* [[Futsal Club Championship]]
* [[Futsal Club Championship]]
* [[National Beach Soccer Championship]]
* [[National Beach Soccer Championship]]
* Football broadcast in India
* [[List of football clubs in India]]
* [[List of football clubs in India]]
* [[History of football in India]]
* [[History of football in India]]

Latest revision as of 10:15, 19 December 2024

Indian football league system
CountryIndia
SportAssociation football
Promotion and relegationYes
National system
FederationAll India Football Federation
ConfederationAFC
Top division
Second division
Cup competition
Association football in India


The Indian football league system is the league structure of football club competitions in India. The highest level of men's club football competition is the Indian Super League.[1][2] Indian Women's League, founded in 2016, is the highest level of women's football club competition in India.[3]

Men's

[edit]

The Indian men's football league system consists of the top 4 national divisions organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and commercial partners FSDL. From tier 5 are the various regional state football leagues, organized by the respective state associations under AIFF affiliation.

Pyramid

[edit]
Level National leagues
1 Indian Super League
13 clubs – ↓ No relegation (2024-25)
2 I-League
12 clubs – 1 promotion ↑↓ 1 relegation
3 I-League 2
10 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations
4 I-League 3
TBA clubs – 6 promotions ↑↓ 15 relegations (provisionally)
State leagues
State level West Bengal Assam Delhi Tamil Nadu Maharashtra Goa Jammu and Kashmir Karnataka Manipur Meghalaya Odisha Jharkhand Punjab Sikkim Tripura Kerala Ladakh Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Bihar Chhattisgarh Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Lakshadweep Madhya Pradesh Nagaland Puducherry Rajasthan Telangana Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand
Mumbai Pune Nagpur Kolhapur Thane
5 1 CFL Premier Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Assam State Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

Delhi Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

CFA Senior Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Mumbai Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

PDFA Super Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

NDFA Elite Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

Kolhapur Senior League

↑promote ↓relegate

Thane Super Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Goa Professional League

↑promote ↓relegate

J&K Premier Football League

↑promote ↓relegate

BDFA Super Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Manipur State League

↑promote ↓relegate

Meghalaya State League

↑promote ↓relegate

FAO Diamond League

↑promote ↓relegate

JSA League Premier Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Punjab State Super Football League

↑promote ↓relegate

SFA "A" Division S-League

↑promote ↓relegate

Chandra Memorial A Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

Kerala Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

Ladakh Super League

↑promote ↓relegate

Mizoram Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

Indrajit Namchoom Arunachal League

↑promote

Bihar State Soccer League

↑promote

Chhattisgarh State Men's Football League Championship

↑promote

DD Senior Division League / DNH Senior Division League

↑promote

Gujarat SFA Club Championship

↑promote

Haryana Men's Football League

↑promote

Himachal Football League

↑promote

Kavaratti Football League[4]

↑promote

Madhya Pradesh Premier League

↑promote

Nagaland Premier League

↑promote

Pondicherry Men's League Championship

↑promote

Rajasthan State Men's League

↑promote

Rahim League A Division

↑promote

Lucknow Super Division

↑promote

Uttarakhand Super League

↑promote

6 2 CFL 1st Division
↑promote 2

↓relegate 2

Assam Club Championship / Guwahati Premier Football League

↑promote ↓relegate

FD Senior Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

First Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Mumbai Super League

↑promote ↓relegate

PDFA First Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

NDFA Super Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

1 division GFA 1st Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

J&K Super Division

↑promote ↓relegate

BDFA A Division

↑promote ↓relegate

AMFA Cup

↑promote ↓relegate

Shillong Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

FAO Gold League

↑promote ↓relegate

JSA League Super Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Punjab State League Second Division

↑promote ↓relegate

SFA "B" Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Chandra Memorial B Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

Kerala Premier League Second Division

↑promote

Ladakh District Leagues

↑promote

Mizoram 1st Division League

↑promote

1 division
7 3 CFL 2nd Division

↑promote 2 ↓relegate 2

GSA A Division Football League

↑promote ↓relegate

FD A-Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Second Division

↑promote ↓relegate

MFA First Division

↑promote ↓relegate

PDFA Second Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

NDFA Senior Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

GFA 2nd Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

J&K A-Division

↑promote ↓relegate

BDFA B Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Thangjam Birchandra-Maipakpi Memorial Winners' Cup

↑promote ↓relegate

Second Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

FAO Silver League

↑promote ↓relegate

JSA League A Division

↑promote

Punjab State League Third Division

↑promote

SFA "C" Division

↑promote

Chandra Memorial C Division League

↑promote

2 divisions
8 4 CFL 3rd Division

↑promote 2 ↓relegate 2

GSA B Division Football League

↑promote ↓relegate

FD B-Division

↑promote ↓relegate

Third Division

↑promote ↓relegate

MFA Second Division

↑promote ↓relegate

PDFA Third Division League

↑promote ↓relegate

3 divisions GFA 3rd Division League

↑promote

J&K B-Division

↑promote

BDFA C Division

↑promote

Manipur District Leagues

↑promote

Third Division League

↑promote

FAO 2nd Division League

↑promote

3 divisions
9 5 CFL 4th Division

↑promote 2 ↓relegate 2

GSA C Division Football League

↑promote

FD C-Division

↑promote

Fourth Division

↑promote

MFA Third Division

↑promote

4 divisions 4 divisions
10 6 CFL 5th Division

↑promote 2

5 divisions

Status evolution

[edit]
Professional leagues
Amateur/Semi-professional leagues
Inter-state championship
Year Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 and below
1941–1996 Santosh Trophy State leagues
1996–1997 National Football League State leagues (without top divisions)
1997–2006 National Football League National Football League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2006–2007 National Football League National Football League Division 2 National Football League Division 3 State leagues (without top divisions)
2007–2017 I-League I-League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2017–2022 I-League and Indian Super League I-League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2022–2023 Indian Super League I-League I-League 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2023–present Indian Super League I-League I-League 2 I-League 3 State leagues (without top divisions)

Tier I

[edit]

National Football League (1996–2007)

[edit]

Founded in 1996, the National Football League was the first football league of India to be organised on a national scale,[5] in an aim to develop the sport & give platform for Indian footballers in a club league. However, due to several problems the league was defunct to make way for a new professional I-League.

I-League (2007–2022)

[edit]

After the end of 2006–07 season, AIFF disbanded the NFL after allegedly missing the full aim of professionalism. To replace NFL, AIFF introduced a fully professional I-League, with ten clubs from the last season of NFL participating in the maiden season of I-League.[6] The league was declared as joint top tier in 2019–20 season when AFC approved AIFF's proposal to demote the AFC Champions League slot, for the AFC Cup. Three seasons later the league was completely demoted to second tier status in Indian football, with the league champions now promoted to the Indian Super League.

Indian Super League (2017–present)

[edit]

The I-League suffered from lack of popularity due to poor marketing as the seasons passed by.[7] The deal between the Zee Sports and the AIFF, which was initially signed for a ten-year term in 2006, was terminated in 2010 after disagreement between both the parties. AIFF then signed a new 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and the International Management Group on 9 December 2010.[8] The Indian Super League was officially launched on 21 October 2013 by IMG–Reliance, Star Sports, and the All India Football Federation with an aim of growing the sport of football in India and increasing its exposure in the country, this time with the big names and high professionalism.[9]

In 2017, The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the main league in India, while I-League clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of the ISL and I-League.[10] A couple of weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both the Indian Super League and I-League should run simultaneously on a short–term basis, with the I-League winner qualifying for the AFC Champions League and the ISL champion to AFC Cup qualification stage.[11] The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017.[12]

Two seasons later the AIFF and AFC announced in a meeting that the Indian Super League was officially the top-tier league of India with the AFC Champions League slot, while the I-League was with the AFC Cup slot. The first recommendation was to open a pathway for two I-League clubs to enter into the ISL by the end of the 2020–21 season, subject to the criteria being fulfilled. The second recommendation was allowing the winner of the I-League to stand a chance of getting promoted to the ISL with no participation fee, starting with the 2022–23 season. In its final recommendation it was agreed that the introduction of promotion and relegation into the top league would be implemented by the end of 2024–25 season, thus making ISL the top tier & I-League officially being 2nd tier competition.[13]

Tier II

[edit]

NFL Second Division (1997–2007)

[edit]

The NFL's second division was introduced by AIFF in 1997 to supplement the top division.[14] After the 2006–07 season, all the three tiers of NFL were defunct and replaced with I-League and I-League 2nd Division respectively.

I-League 2nd Division (2007–2022)

[edit]

The National Football League's second division was succeeded by the I-League 2nd Division in 2008. The state FAs nominated top teams from their respective state leagues to AIFF who then selected the clubs based on criteria. The number of clubs in this league varied each season. Since 2017–18 season, the league saw introduction of the I-League reserve sides which weren't eligible for promotion.[15] After the I-League lost its top tier status, the I-League 2nd Division was demoted, re-establishing India's third tier since the NFL's Third Division in 2006.

I-League (2022–present)

[edit]

Starting from the 2022–23 season, I-League lost its top-tier status. The champions of the 2022–23 I-League were promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues.[16]

Tier III

[edit]

NFL Third Division (2006)

[edit]

Ten years after the formation of NFL, a third division was briefly introduced for one season in 2006[17] The NFL Third Division was the first third division tier football league in India to be organized on a national scale. The league was played from 25 November till 18 December 2006 as a promotional tournament for Indian National Football League Second Division. Five teams were promoted to the second division.[18][19] Starting from the 2022–23 season, I-League 2 filled the void in the third tier left by NFL Third Division in 2006.

I-League 2 (2022–present)

[edit]

After demoting I-League to the second tier status in Indian football, its second division i.e., I-League 2nd Division was subsequently demoted to third tier. AIFF renamed the 2nd Division to I-League 2 to avoid disambiguation.[20]

Tier IV

[edit]

I-League 3 (2023–present)

[edit]

I-League 3 is set to serve as a platform for state champions and nominated teams. It forms the fourth tier of the Indian football league system, between the I-League 2 and the state leagues. No ISL reserve teams will be part of it.[21][22]

Tier V & below

[edit]

Indian state leagues

[edit]
Further information: Indian State Leagues

There are currently total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF.[23] These state associations have state leagues concurrently running. The top teams of state leagues are eligible for the I-League 3 (national 4th tier). Most state leagues have multiple divisions and a promotion/relegation system between these divisions. Calcutta Football League (Oldest football league in Asia) in West Bengal is the oldest state league and has the highest number of divisions with promotion/relegation system in place.[24]

System evolution

[edit]
Men's
Level Years
1888–1893 1893–1898 1898–1941 1941–1977 1977–1996 1996–1997 1997–2001 2001–2006 2006–2007 2007–2011 2011–2014 2014–2017 2017–2022 2022–2023 2023–present
1893 1937
National leagues 1 None Formation of Indian Football Association (IFA) Calcutta Football League Formation of All India Football Federation (AIFF) Santosh Trophy National Football League I-League Indian Super League Indian Super League
I-League
2 None None NFL Second Division I-League 2nd Division I-League
3 None NFL Third Division Discontinued I-League 2
4 None I-League 3
Regional leagues 5–11 State leagues
Cup competitions Durand Cup
Federation Cup Super Cup
Indian Super Cup Discontinued


Franchise leagues

[edit]
League State/Region Clubs Formed
Gujarat Super League Gujarat 6 2024
Super League Kerala Kerala 6 2024
Sikkim Premier League Sikkim 8 2023
Manipur Premier League Manipur 9 2023–24

Women's

[edit]
See also: Women's football in India

The women's football league system in India currently consists of top tier national league i.e. Indian Women's League, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). From 2023 to 24 IWL 2nd Division will form the tier 2, and top 2 clubs will be promoted to IWL. Tier 3 are the State football leagues, organized by regional state associations under AIFF affiliation, in the league tier pyramid of women's football in India.

Pyramid

[edit]
Level National leagues
1 Indian Women's League
7 clubs – ↓ 0 relegations
2 Indian Women's League 2
15 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 9 relegations TBA
State leagues
State level Karnataka West Bengal Delhi Maharastra Tamil Nadu Assam Goa Manipur Meghalaya Odisha Jharkhand Punjab Sikkim Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Bihar Chhattisgarh Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Kerala Madhya Pradesh Puducherry
3 1 Karnataka Women's Super Division

↑promote ↓relegate

CWFL Premier Division A

↑promote

FD Women's Premier League

↑promote ↓relegate

WIFA Women's Football League

↑promote

Tamil Nadu Women's League

↑promote

Assam Women's League

↑promote

Goa Women's League

↑promote

Manipur Women's League

↑promote

SSA Women's Football League

↑promote

Odisha Women's League

↑promote

JSA Women's League

↑promote

Punjab Women's League

↑promote

Sikkim Women's Super League

↑promote

Mizoram Women's League

↑promote

Arunachal Women's Football Championship

↑promote

Bihar State Women's League

↑promote

Chhattisgarh State Women's Football League Championship

↑promote

Gujarat State Women's League

↑promote

Haryana Women's Football League

↑promote

Himachal Women's League

↑promote

Kerala Women's League

↑promote

Madhya Pradesh Women's Premier League

↑promote

Pondicherry Women's League

↑promote

4 2 Karnataka Women's A Division CWFL Premier Division B FD Women's Championship MFA Women's League PDFA Women's Division Kolhapur Women's League 1 division
5 3 Karnataka Women's B Division 2 divisions

Status evolution

[edit]
Professional leagues
Amateur/Semi-professional leagues
Inter-state championship
Year Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 & below
1991–2016 Senior Women's National Football Championship State leagues
2016–2023 Indian Women's League State leagues (without top divisions)
2023–present Indian Women's League Indian Women's League 2 State leagues (without top divisions)

Tier I

[edit]

Indian Women's League (2016–present)

[edit]

In 2014, after the success of the India women's team, mainly in the SAFF Women's Championship, a push to start a women's football league, along the lines of recently inaugurated and successful Indian Super League, happened.[25] Clubs such as Pune and Bengaluru expressed interests in joining a national women's league.[25] It was around this time that AIFF started plans to create a league for women along the lines of ISL.[26]

On 21 April 2016, the AIFF president Praful Patel said that Indian Women's League would kick-off in October with six teams to be decided, and goal to expand to eight teams by 2017. Over two months later, on 5 July, AIFF organized a workshop to discuss the India women's national team and proposed women's football league. Five Indian Super League sides – Delhi Dynamos, Chennaiyin, Kerala Blasters, Pune City and Atletico de Kolkata, and three I-League sides – Bengaluru, Aizawl and Mumbai, attended the workshop. It was announced that the league would feature eight teams and two other spots would be determined through a preliminary round.[27] The primary objective of the tournament was to capitalise the potential of Indian women and prepare them for the national team, so as to eventually qualify for AFC Women's Asian Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup.[28]

Tier II

[edit]

Indian Women's League 2 (2023–present)

[edit]

The league was launched by All India Football Federation as India's first national women's second tier professional football league.[21][22] In January 2024, the League Committee confirmed the introduction of the system of promotion and relegation of the clubs involving the IWL and IWL 2, effective from the 2024–25 season.

Tier III & below

[edit]

Indian state leagues

[edit]
Further information: Indian State Leagues

There are currently total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF.[23] These state associations have state leagues concurrently running. The top teams of state leagues are eligible for the Indian Women's League 2 (national 2nd tier). Some of the state leagues have multiple divisions and a promotion/relegation system between these divisions. Calcutta Women's Football League (Oldest football league in India) in West Bengal is the oldest state league. Karnataka Women's League has the highest number of divisions with promotion/relegation system in place.

System evolution

[edit]
Women's
Level Years
1937 1991–2016 2016–2023 2023-present
National leagues 1 Formation of
All India Football Federation (AIFF) 		Senior Women's National Football Championship Indian Women's League
2 None Indian Women's League 2
Regional leagues 3– State leagues


Youth

[edit]

Current Youth league system

[edit]
Level Competition Age category
National Reliance Foundation Development League Under-21
Youth League Under-17
Junior League Under-15
Sub-Junior League Under-13
Subroto Cup Inter-school

Future Youth league system

[edit]

On 7 January 2023, the AIFF unveiled Vision 2047, a new roadmap for Indian football with the planned reforms in India's league system.[29][30]

Structure Age category Participants Minimum matches
Boys
RFDL/Elite League Under-21 Elite licensed academies and professional clubs 35
Under-19
State Youth League champions
Under-17
Under-15
Under-13
Girls
Institutional League TBD Association clubs 14
Elite League 18 to 22 Universities
Elite and state youth league Under-17 State Youth League champions
Under-15
Under-13

National football championships

[edit]

The National football Championships are competitions contested among the regional state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation. Currently, six championship competitions are divided into age groups for both men and women.

Senior NFC (Santosh Trophy)

[edit]
Main article: Santosh Trophy

The Santosh Trophy[31] is a men's football competition contested by the regional state associations and government institutions under the AIFF. Before starting the National Football League in 1996, the Santosh Trophy was considered the top domestic championship in India.

Senior Women's NFC

[edit]
Main article: Senior Women's National Football Championship

Senior Women's National Football Championship for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy[32] is the women's football tournament which is contested among the regional state, territory federations and government institutions of India. It began to play in 1991. The league consisted of 30 teams for the 2019–20 season.

U-20, Junior & Sub-Junior NFC

[edit]
Main articles: B.C. Roy Trophy, Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy, and M. Dutta Ray Trophy

The U-20 National Football Championship or Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship[33] is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 20.[34] All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship.

The Junior National Football Championship or BC Roy Trophy[35] is for the Junior age groups, which was started in 1962. All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship through the two tiers of the competition played across the country.

The Sub Junior National Football Championship or Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy[36] is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 16, which was started in 1977. All affiliated State Units of AIFF can participate in this championship through the qualifying round.

Junior & Sub-Junior Girls' NFC

[edit]
Main articles: Junior Girl's National Football Championship and Sub–Junior Girl's National Football Championship

The U-19 Junior Girls' National Football Championship[37] was first introduced in 2001.

The U-17 Sub-Junior Girls' National Football Championship[38] was first introduced in 2003 and held at Ooty.

Institutional League

[edit]
Main article: Institutional League

AIFF proposed the league for its various institutional clubs.

Notes

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "AFC Executive Committee approve Indian football roadmap". All India Football Federation. 26 October 2019. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. ^ "The AFC". the-AFC.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  3. ^ Rohan Puri (21 April 2016). "Women's football league from October". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  4. ^ Menon, Sandeep (24 January 2023). "From the Dweeps with a Lakshya". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  5. ^ "National Football League". indianfootball.de. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  6. ^ "AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams". Rediff. 21 November 2007. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ Dhar, Pulasta (6 January 2016). "The fall of the I-league". Livemint. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  8. ^ "AIFF signs 700-crore deal with IMG-RIL". Times of India. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Reliance, Star India, IMG Set to Launch ISL". Indian Super League. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ "Still no consensus on ISL, I-League merger despite high-profile meet". The Times of India. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  11. ^ "ISL gets official recognition from AFC, becomes second national football league". FirstPost. 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  12. ^ "AFC competitions committee's decisions published". The Asian Football Confederation. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  13. ^ "India clubs agree to work together on league roadmap". 14 October 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  14. ^ "NFL Division 2". indianfootball.de. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  15. ^ "AIFF league committee meets at football house". 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. ^ "New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  17. ^ "NFL Division Three". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  18. ^ Arunava Chaudhary. "National Football League Third Division". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021.
  19. ^ "NFL Third Division 2006–07". RSSSF. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  20. ^ "AIFF League Committee meeting chaired online by Lalnghinglova Hmar". www.the-aiff.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  21. ^ a b "AIFF League committee announce I-League direct entry bidders and revamped league structure for IWL". Khel Now. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Football: Five bids received for direct entry into I-League 2023-24 season". www.business-standard.com. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  23. ^ a b "State Associations". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Calcutta Football League". Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  25. ^ a b Das, Suprita (26 January 2015). "Now A Women's Football League?". NDTV Sports. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  26. ^ "AIFF Plans to Start Indian Super League-Style Women's Football". NDTV Sports. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  27. ^ "AIFF conducts workshop for National Women's League". Times of India. 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  28. ^ "INDIAN WOMEN'S LEAGUE PRELIMS TO KICK-OFF ON OCT 17". The All India Football Federation. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  29. ^ "Vision 2047, The Indian Football strategic roadmap" (PDF). AIFF. 7 January 2023.
  30. ^ "'We dream of reviving the glory days of Indian Football,' says Kalyan Chaubey at the launch of 'Vision 2047'". AIFF. 7 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Hero Senior NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Hero Senior Women's NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  33. ^ "AIFF announces U20 Men's NFC; to be held in Chhattisgarh". www.the-aiff.com.
  34. ^ "AIFF announces men's U20 National Championships in Chattisgarh". thebridge.in.
  35. ^ "Hero Junior NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Hero Sub Junior NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Hero Junior Girl's NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Hero Sub Junior Girl's NFC". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
[edit]
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