THE 2025-26 I-League season, India’s second-tier men’s football competition, is set to begin on 21 February. The tournament will follow a two-stage format, a league stage followed by championship and relegation rounds, similar to the structures used in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.
During the league stage, all participating clubs will compete in a single-leg round-robin format. The top six teams will progress to the championship round, while the bottom six will enter the relegation round.
Clubs have also proposed that the I-League be rebranded as the ‘Indian Football League’, a move that will require formal approval from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
After outlining a proposed participation and governance framework, the AIFF has taken the next procedural step by placing key I-League matters before its Executive Committee (ExCo) for approval.
According to a report by Khel Now, a document circulated to ExCo members on 28 January follows a joint meeting between I-League clubs and AIFF officials held a day earlier. The document seeks urgent clearance to enable clubs to proceed with operational and commercial planning for the 2025-26 season.
However, Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers and Chanmari FC were absent from the meeting, raising questions over their potential participation.
The document also confirms the composition of the I-League Governing Council, reinforcing the club-led governance structure. This formally positions clubs as the primary decision-makers within the league’s top governing body, in line with the proposed “one club, one voice” principle.
