Shillong, Sep 7: The Shillong Sports Association will introduce a new format for its First Division 2026 season, which will begin on 16th September.
Bringing it more in line with its lower divisions, the SSA’s First Division will see the 10 participating clubs divided into two groups of five. Each team will play the other group members once in a single round robin and the Top 2 from each group will progress to the knockout semifinals.
The two clubs that reach the final will be promoted to the Shillong Premier League in 2027. These two will also qualify for this year’s season-ending SSA Champions Cup 2026.
The bottom two from each group will feature in a Relegation Zone where they will again play each other once. At the end of this the two lowest-ranked teams will be relegated to the Second Division 2027.
The First Division is expected to conclude with the final on 24th October.
The new format will cut down the number of matches to 29 from the 45 following the old format where all 10 teams played each other once and the one on top at the end was crowned champions. Having knockout semifinals and a final, while not favoured by those who enjoy a pure league format, should add extra excitement for fans and boost attendance figures.
Group A comprises Malki, Laitkyrhong, Nongkrem, Mawtawar and Nongthymmai, while Group B contains Nongrim Hills, Mylliem Lum, Pohkseh, Ryntih and Mawkhar.
Malki and Nongrim Hills were relegated from SPL 2025, while Laitkyrhong and Mylliem Lum were promoted from last year’s Second Division.
(TSR file photo. Laitkyhong vs Mylliem Lum in the Second Division 2025 final)