Indian Women’s League to begin on December 20 across two venues

The new season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) is set to begin on December 20, marking the start of a packed domestic calendar for women’s football in India. The opening match between Sethu FC and Kickstart FC will take place at the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Kolkata, setting the tone for a highly competitive season.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced that the league will be played across two phases to ensure players remain available for national team duties. Phase 1, scheduled from December 20 to January 9, 2026, features eight teams competing in 28 matches. Games will be shared between two centralised venues the NCoE in Kolkata and the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani.

After a mid-season break to accommodate senior and U20 national team commitments, the IWL will resume with Phase 2, running from April 20 to May 10, 2026. The break is designed to help national squads prepare for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournaments across different age categories.

The AIFF added that the split-season format will also give the national teams enough time for training camps ahead of crucial continental competitions.The 2025–26 season will be the 9th edition of the Indian Women’s League.