India’s football ecosystem spans four national league tiers, two major domestic cup competitions, a historic state-level championship, and dozens of regional leagues governed by 36 state associations. From the Indian Super League at the summit to grassroots competitions across West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, and the Northeast, the AIFF-managed pyramid offers competitive pathways for professional and semi-professional clubs alike. Here is a complete breakdown of every football league currently active in Indian football.
Football Leagues in India
The table below covers every significant league and cup competition in Indian football, organized by their position in the football pyramid and competitive calendar.
| League Name | Category | Region | Season Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Super League (ISL) | First Division | National | February to May |
| Indian Football League (IFL) | Second Division | National | February to April |
| I-League 2 | Third Division | National | March to May |
| I-League 3 | Fourth Division | National | April to June |
| Durand Cup | Domestic Cup | National | July to August |
| AIFF Super Cup | Domestic Cup | National | October to December |
| Santosh Trophy | National Championship | National (State Teams) | December to January |
| Calcutta Premier League | State League | West Bengal | August to December |
| Goa Professional League | State League | Goa | September to March |
| Mizoram Premier League | State League | Mizoram | August to February |
| Super League Kerala | State Playoff League | Kerala | April to June |
Each of these competitions plays a distinct role in Indian football’s development. The national-tier leagues form the core competitive pyramid, domestic cups provide silverware and continental qualification, and state leagues serve as the grassroots entry point for aspiring clubs and players.
1. Indian Super League (ISL)
The ISL is India’s top-flight professional football league, featuring 14 clubs competing in a round-robin format. East Bengal won the 2025-26 title, ending a 22-year national league drought with a dramatic final-day 2-1 victory over Inter Kashi.
- 14 teams from 12 cities compete each season, with matches broadcast on FanCode and Sony Sports Network
- The 2025-26 season introduced a single-leg round-robin format with 13 matches per team and 91 total fixtures
- Promotion and relegation with the Indian Football League now operates fully, with Mohammedan SC becoming the first club relegated from the ISL
- The ISL champions qualify for the AFC Champions League Two, connecting Indian clubs to continental competition
- Founded in 2014, the league replaced the I-League as India’s premier division from the 2019-20 season onward
2. Indian Football League (IFL)
Formerly known as the I-League, the IFL operates as India’s second-tier professional league after being officially rebranded ahead of the 2025-26 season. Ten clubs competed in a two-stage format, with the champions earning direct promotion to the ISL.
- Stage 1 features a single-leg home-and-away round-robin, followed by a championship round for the top half and a relegation round for the bottom half
- Points from Stage 1 carry forward into Stage 2, rewarding consistency across the entire campaign
- Diamond Harbour FC won the 2025-26 title and earned promotion to the ISL for 2026-27
- The league represents football regions across Punjab, Mizoram, Kerala, Kolkata, and other cities, maintaining strong local fanbases
- Star Cement serves as the title sponsor, giving the competition its official name: the Star Cement Indian Football League
3. I-League 2
The I-League 2 functions as the third tier of Indian football, bridging the gap between regional qualifiers and the national second division. Nine clubs competed in the 2025-26 season under a truncated single round-robin home-and-away format.
- Each team plays eight matches across the season, four at home and four away
- The top two finishers earn promotion to the Indian Football League for the following season
- The bottom-placed club faces relegation to I-League 3, maintaining competitive stakes throughout the table
- Promoted sides from I-League 3 and relegated clubs from the IFL feed into the league each year, keeping the talent pipeline active
- The 2025-26 season ran from March 27 to May 15, with matches hosted across multiple venues including Diphu and Mumbai
4. I-League 3
I-League 3 sits at the fourth tier of the national pyramid and serves as the primary qualification gateway for clubs aspiring to reach the professional divisions. Twenty teams competed in the 2025-26 edition, divided into four groups across centralized venues.
- Teams play a single round-robin within their groups at centralized venues in cities like Imphal, Balaghat, and Bengaluru
- Group winners and the two best second-placed teams advance to a Final Round, where the top two earn promotion to I-League 2
- State league champions and AIFF-nominated clubs qualify for participation based on regional performances and licensing standards
- Baghpat FC were crowned 2025-26 champions after a strong campaign through the group and final stages
- Established in 2023 under AIFF’s Vision 2047 roadmap, the league has expanded from 15 teams in its inaugural season to 20 in 2025-26
5. Durand Cup
Asia’s oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup has been played since 1888 and serves as the curtain-raiser for every Indian football season. The 135th edition kicks off on July 25, 2026, with 24 teams competing across five host cities.
- ISL clubs, IFL clubs, I-League 2 sides, and Indian Armed Forces teams all participate, creating a unique mix of professional and institutional football
- The group stage divides 24 teams into six groups of four, with the six group winners and two best runners-up advancing to the knockout rounds
- NorthEast United FC are the defending champions after winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025
- Mohun Bagan hold the all-time record with 17 Durand Cup titles, followed by East Bengal with 16
- Host cities for the 2026 edition include Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, and Guwahati, with the final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
6. AIFF Super Cup
The AIFF Super Cup is India’s premier knockout cup competition for men’s clubs, featuring teams from both the ISL and the Indian Football League. FC Goa won the 2025-26 edition on penalties against East Bengal to claim a record third title.
- 16 teams compete across a group stage followed by knockout rounds, with only group winners advancing to the semi-finals
- The Super Cup winner earns a playoff spot in the AFC Champions League Two for the following season
- FC Goa are the most successful club in the competition’s history with three titles (2019, 2025, and 2025-26)
- The 2025-26 edition was held entirely in Goa across two venues: Fatorda Stadium and GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim
- Launched in 2018 as a replacement for the historic Federation Cup, the Super Cup has grown into one of India’s most important domestic trophies
7. Santosh Trophy
The Santosh Trophy is India’s oldest and most prestigious national football championship for state and institutional teams. First held in 1941, the tournament brings together 38 teams representing states, union territories, and government bodies.
- Teams are divided into groups during the group stage, with winners and select runners-up progressing to the Final Round knockout phase
- West Bengal are the most successful team in the tournament’s history with a record 33 titles
- The 2025-26 group stage ran from December 5 to December 20, with the Final Round following from January 1 to January 20
- Kerala, Services, Goa, and several northeastern states regularly challenge as strong contenders alongside West Bengal
- The championship provides exposure for amateur and semi-professional players who may not yet feature in national club leagues
8. Calcutta Premier League
The Calcutta Premier League is one of India’s oldest and most competitive state football leagues, based in Kolkata, West Bengal. The competition features legacy clubs with deep roots in Indian football history and serves as a stepping stone toward national-level competition.
- Clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC historically competed in this league before graduating to the national divisions
- The league operates as a Tier 5 competition and acts as a feeder system toward I-League 3 qualification
- Matches are played across iconic Kolkata venues, drawing passionate local support from the city’s football-obsessed fanbase
- Teams such as Bhawanipore FC, Tollygunge Agragami, and Peerless SC remain prominent participants
9. Goa Professional League
The Goa Professional League represents the top tier of state football in Goa, a region with one of the richest footballing traditions in India. The league features clubs that have historically produced talent for the national stage.
- Legacy clubs like Sporting Clube de Goa, Salgaocar, Dempo SC, and Churchill Brothers have competed in this league across decades
- Champions and top finishers qualify for I-League 3, offering a direct pathway into the national football pyramid
- Goan football culture, built around fierce local derbies and passionate support, remains among the strongest in the country
- The league typically runs from September to March, with matches played across venues in Margao, Panjim, and surrounding regions
10. Mizoram Premier League
Mizoram’s football culture is among the most vibrant in India, and the Mizoram Premier League is the state’s premier club competition. Compact stadiums in Aizawl regularly draw packed crowds, making it one of the best-attended state leagues in the country.
- Aizawl FC, the only club from Northeast India to win a national league title (I-League 2016-17), emerged from this system
- Chanmari FC and Chhinga Veng FC are among the league’s most competitive and well-supported sides
- The league feeds directly into I-League 3, with top finishers regularly qualifying for national-level competition
- Football is deeply embedded in Mizoram’s cultural identity, with community support driving club football at every level
11. Super League Kerala
The Super League Kerala is a relatively newer state-level competition that operates as a playoff-style league for Kerala’s top clubs. It provides an additional competitive platform beyond the Kerala Football League.
- The league follows a playoff format, giving clubs additional high-stakes competitive fixtures beyond the regular state league season
- Top performers gain visibility for I-League 3 qualification and potential recruitment by national-level clubs
- Kerala’s strong football infrastructure and passionate fanbase make this one of the more well-organized state competitions
- The league typically runs from April to June, filling a gap in the state football calendar
India’s Football Pyramid Covers Four National Tiers, Seven Major Competitions, and Over 36 State Associations
Indian football’s competitive structure continues to expand and strengthen under the AIFF’s governance. The 2025-26 season alone featured 14 ISL clubs, 10 IFL teams, 9 I-League 2 sides, 20 I-League 3 participants, 24 Durand Cup entrants, 16 Super Cup competitors, and 38 Santosh Trophy state teams across hundreds of matches.
With promotion and relegation now firmly established between the top four national tiers, the pathway from state leagues to the ISL is more connected than ever, giving clubs of every size a genuine route toward the highest level of Indian football.
