Shillong, Sep 9: The Indian Football League 2026-27 will begin on 30th October, it was announced by the All India Football Federation yesterday.
This represents a two-week delay, as the AIFF had previously informed that the league – India’s second tier – would begin on 16th October.
The governing council of the IFL met at the AIFF headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday with representatives of all 11 participating clubs in attendance, including Shillong Lajong boss Larsing LD Sawyan.
The governing council and the AIFF reviewed the 2025-26 IFL season, with the viewership figures and overall broadcast performance noted as hugely encouraging; viewership was four times higher than in the 2024-25 season, the AIFF said on its website without providing exact figures.
The governing council also approved a regulation permitting a maximum of three foreign players on the pitch at a time during IFL matches for the upcoming season.
The council also welcomed Nagaland and Odisha as new venues for the 2026-27 season, further expanding the league’s footprint across the country.
Nagaland United SC had reached an agreement with Aizawl FC to transfer the latter’s IFL sporting rights, subject to approval from the AIFF. Nagaland United is scheduled to play its home matches in Dimapur. Samaleswari SC of Odisha, meanwhile, acquired Delhi FC’s sporting licence and enter the IFL.
The IFL charter for the upcoming season was also discussed, along with the proposed budget and sponsorship packages. The league is likely to be broadcast on Doordarshan again this season.
(File photo)