Shillong, Jul 16: The Shillong Sports Association’s Second Division 2026 will begin on 23rd July with 18 teams divided into three groups.
The division will begin with Nongrah versus Madan SCC in Group A at the SSA Stadium.
Mawkriah West and Umlyngka moved up from last year’s Third Division to the Second Division this year, while Nongrah and Lawsohtun were relegated from the First Division 2025.
The top two teams from each of the three groups plus the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals. The two teams that reach the final will be promoted to the 2027 First Division.
Relegation will be decided through a round robin stage involving the lowest team from each group. The bottom two from this relegation zone will drop down to the Third Division next year.
New Laws of the Game for 2026-27 will be applied to the Second Division. These include the 10-second substitute rule, 5-second restart countdown and off-field injury protocol. Players can also be sent off with a red card if they cover their mouth when communicating with an opponent in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory manner.
(TSR file photo)
