The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to begin the 2025-26 edition of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) on December 20, 2025, revising its earlier plan to start the tournament in September. The season will now be conducted in two phases to accommodate the national team’s preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, scheduled in Australia from March 1 to 21, 2026.
The decision was finalized during a virtual meeting between AIFF officials and club representatives on Thursday, with the majority of clubs agreeing to the new schedule.
IWL 2: Two-Phase Format
The first phase of the IWL will run from December 20, 2025 to January 6, 2026, while the second phase is expected to be played in April-May 2026, following the conclusion of the Asian Cup. Both phases will be held at centralized venues, with Goa’s GMC Stadium in Bambolim and the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao under consideration.
“The first set of matches will be conducted till January 6 at a single venue that is yet to be finalized,” an AIFF official confirmed.
Eight Teams, Familiar Format
The 2025–26 season will feature eight teams, continuing with the home-and-away format introduced last year. Garhwal United and India Arrows- the AIFF’s developmental side- have earned promotion from IWL 2 and will replace HOPS FC and Odisha FC Women, both relegated after the 2024–25 campaign.
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Each club will play 14 matches, as part of the federation’s effort to increase competitive exposure for domestic players.
Focus on National Team Preparations
The revised timeline is closely tied to the AIFF’s blueprint for the Blue Tigresses’ buildup to the Asian Cup. Players are expected to accumulate at least 30 matches between August and February through club and international fixtures.
The national team’s preparation will include 83 days of training camps spread across three phases, featuring 10–12 international friendlies and 5–7 games against domestic teams.
East Bengal’s Packed Schedule
Defending champions East Bengal face a challenging season ahead, with commitments across multiple competitions- the IWL, the AFC Women’s Champions League (October 3, 2025 – May 23, 2026), and the inaugural SAFF Club Women’s Championship (December 5–20, 2025).
“The league’s fixtures will be planned keeping East Bengal’s continental engagements in mind,” the AIFF official added.
Also Read: India vs Singapore AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Goa: How To Book Tickets
Financial Aspects and Delays
The IWL’s schedule was delayed by the contractual uncertainty that clouded Indian football earlier this year. The issue was resolved only after the Supreme Court’s directive cleared the way for the men’s Indian Super League, allowing the federation to finalize its domestic calendar.
Clubs are still awaiting communication regarding the participation subsidy, which stood at ₹25 lakh per team during the 2023-24 season.
