The Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 is set to get underway from February 27, 2026. The league was formerly known as I-League, before the organisers overhauled the competition. It is the second tier of men’s professional football league in India.
The IFL 2025-26 season will follow a two-stage format.
Stage 1: In the first phase, a total of 10 participating clubs compete in a single-leg home-and-away round-robin format.
Stage 2: In the second phase, the teams are split into two groups. Those that finished in the top half in Stage 1 will advance to a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half will compete in a centralised relegation round. All points from the first stage will carry forward to make the league more competitive.
The league toppers at the end of Stage 2 will emerge as Indian Football League champions and will be promoted to the Indian Super League 2026-27.
Namdhari FC is set to face Aizawl FC in the opening match of the competition.
Indian Football League 2025-26: Teams
- Gokulam Kerala
- Namdhari
- Rajasthan United
- Diamond Harbour
- Real Kashmir
- Shillong Lajong
- Aizawl
- Sreenidi Deccan
- Chanmari
- Dempo
Inter Kashi, winners of the 2024-25 I-League, earned promotion to the ISL while Diamond Harbour and Chanmari moved up to the Indian Football League from I-League 2.
Dempo are the most successful team in the league’s history with three titles.
Also Read: Indian Football League 2025-26 To Kick-Off On Feb 27, Check Full Fixtures
Where to watch Indian Football League 2025-26 live for free
Doordarshan has been confirmed as the official broadcast partner for the IFL 2025-26. Live telecast of the Indian Football League will be broadcast on the DD Sports TV channel in India.
Live streaming of the IFL 2025-26 will be available on the Waves OTT app and Prasar Bharati Sports YouTube channel in India.
