Indian Football League to Kick Off on February 27

The Indian Football League (IFL) 2025‑26 season will begin on February 27 , the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Sunday, releasing the full fixture schedule after a six-day postponement from the original February 21 start date. The season opens with Namdhari FC taking on Aizawl FC , while Chanmari FC face Gokulam Kerala FC in the two matches slated for the revised first day of action.

The league will feature a two-stage format . In Stage 1 , all 10 participating teams will compete in a single-leg, home-and-away round-robin format. After completion of Stage 1, teams will be split into two groups for Stage 2: the top half will advance into a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half will contest a centralised relegation round. All points from Stage 1 will carry forward, ensuring continuity and competitive balance. The team topping the standings at the end of Stage 2 will be crowned IFL champions and earn promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026‑27 .

The 10 confirmed participants for the season are Namdhari FC, Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Diamond Harbour FC, Real Kashmir FC, Rajasthan United FC, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Shillong Lajong FC and Dempo SC , while Churchill Brothers will not take part this season. Gokulam Kerala FC is owned by the Sree Gokulam Group with V. C. Praveen as chairman, and Diamond Harbour FC is backed by Diamond Harbour Sports Pvt. Ltd. with Abhishek Banerjee as president. Other clubs, such as Namdhari FC, Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC , operate under local management and grassroots football structures, while Real Kashmir FC, Rajasthan United FC, Sreenidi Deccan FC and Shillong Lajong FC are supported by investor and leadership groups, reflecting a mix of community and private ownership.

The league’s revised schedule, opening fixtures, and two-stage structure aim to enhance competition , strengthen club participation, and provide a clear pathway to the ISL , marking a significant step in the growth and professionalisation of Indian football.