2022–23 I-League 2nd Division
| Dates | November–March[1] |
|---|---|
| Champions | TBA |
| Promoted | TBA |
← 2021 | |
The 2022–23 I-League 2nd Division or Hero I-League 2nd Division 2022–23 (for sponsorship reasons) will be the 15th season of I-League 2nd Division since its establishment in 2008. This will be the first season of I-League 2nd Division as the third tier of Indian football league system. The league winner will secure place in the 2023–24 I-League season.
Subrata Dutta, senior vice president of All India Football Federation, and AIFF league committee members held its meeting on November 21, 2021. The committee unanimously decided that there will be a relegation in the 2021–22 I-League, and the 2nd Division league will be played on a home and away basis from 2022–23 onwards.[2]
Committee also decided that for teams to qualify for the 2nd Division, all the State FAs need to finish their State Leagues by mid-2022, and nominate the respective champion club. The league management will thereafter work on the club licensing criteria, and decide number of teams.[3]
Changes from last season
The league has been reverted to the traditional home and away format. The teams will be divided into zones to minimise the travel and the winners from each zone will qualify for the final phase which is expected to be held at a centralised venue. A minimum of 18 teams are expected to participate.[1]
Qualification
Selection criteria
- State association can nominate up to two teams based on the conducted qualifying tournament in most recent season.
- Nominated teams shall meet AIFF financial requirements and be liable to complete club licensing criteria.[4]
Teams selected through state leagues
As per AIFF, teams will be selected to participate in I-League 2nd Division through state leagues. Only one team among the two nominated from each state will be selected.
Reserve teams
The reserve teams of Indian Super League and I-League are allowed to participate. However, they would not be eligible for promotion.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "12-team I-League next season, no promotion from second division". Times of India. 15 May 2022.
- ^ "AIFF League Committee meets via video conferencing". www.the-aiff.com.
- ^ "AIFF League Committee meets via video conferencing". www.the-aiff.com.
- ^ Mergulhao, Marcus (7 August 2021). "I-League Qualifiers: AIFF to use financial criteria as tie-breaker to select teams". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2021.