TAKING A CUE FROM veterans’ cricket leagues spouting here, there and everywhere, Veterans Football Development Pvt. Ltd. (VFD) has announced the launch of the Veterans Super League 2026 (VSL-26), the country’s first football league exclusively for veteran players.
Initially slated for 2025, the league will now officially debut later this year.
Scheduled to kick off on November 2, VSL-26 will feature 40 matches played across some of India’s most prominent football venues, bringing together over 350 former players and familiar names who have shaped the game in the country.
Among the football icons expected to participate are I. M. Vijayan, Bhaichung Bhutia, Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Subrata Paul, and Sandip Nandi. The league will also see participation from experienced players such as Manoj Choudhary, Rajesh Arya, Jaideep Khandelwal, Bhuvnesh Thapliyal, Surender Murjal, Shakti Singh, and Nasruddin Hussain, who will represent Delhi Falcon FC.
Adding to the league’s visibility, Ranveer Singh and Tamannaah Bhatia have come on board as ambassadors and supporters. Their association is expected to lend wider appeal to the initiative and help spotlight the stories of players returning to the field.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, running until December 26, and will be hosted across key stadiums including:
– Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
– Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
– Mumbai Football Arena
– Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
– Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
– Fatorda Stadium, Goa
– GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad
– Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
– Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
– JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur
The official launch event, scheduled for June 6 in Mumbai, is expected to bring together former players, sports administrators, and dignitaries, along with a lineup of entertainment performances, per a press release issued by VFD.
The league is also opening up opportunities for franchise ownership, inviting entrepreneurs, investors, and brands to be part of the initiative.
“The Veterans Super League is not just about competition; it’s about giving due recognition to players who have contributed immensely to Indian football,” said Danish Parvez Khan, chairman and managing director, VFD.
