The rebranded Indian Football League opens its 2025–26 season with Namdhari FC facing Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC taking on Gokulam Kerala FC in a double-header.
Indian Football League rebranded. (Source: X/@IndFtblLeague)
India’s second-tier football competition enters a new phase as the Indian Football League (IFL) kicks off its 2025–26 season on Friday with a double-header, marking the official rebranding of the former I-League.
The new IFL season will follow a two-stage format:
In Stage 1, ten teams will compete in a round-robin league.
In Stage 2, the table will split into a Championship Round and a Relegation Round, with all points carried forward.
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The opening match will be played at the Namdhari Football Stadium in Sri Bhaini Sahib, between Namdhari FC and Aizawl FC in the afternoon. Later in the evening, newly promoted Chanmari FC will face former champions Gokulam Kerala FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl.
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Chanmari FC’s return to the big stage comes with a tough first test. After earning promotion last season, they now face Gokulam Kerala FC — a proven attacking side that struck 45 times and remains one of the league’s most formidable opponents.
Finishing sixth last season, Namdhari FC begin their campaign at home and will look to turn last year’s steady performances into a stronger push for the top spots. Meanwhile, Aizawl FC arrive eager to rebuild after a difficult previous season. Despite recent struggles, the Mizoram-based club carries a proud legacy, having once lifted the I-League title.
The winner of the Championship Round will earn promotion to the Indian Super League, while the bottom-placed team will face relegation, making every match crucial from the opening weekend.
(With inputs from ANI)
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