The upcoming season of the I-League, now set to be rebranded as the Indian Football League, is scheduled to kick off on February 21, 2026. This season will adopt a two-stage format similar to those used in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
In this new structure, all participating teams will compete in a single-leg round-robin format during the league stage. The top six teams will advance to the championship round, while the bottom six will enter a relegation round.
Additionally, the proposal to change the league”s name to the Indian Football League is awaiting the approval of the All India Football Federation. The I-League has sought urgent clearance from its Executive Committee to ratify this new format and governance model, which will see a club-led body managing the league.
Reports indicate that three clubs, Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers, and Chanmari FC, were not present during the discussions regarding the new format.
This rebranding and restructuring aim to enhance the competitive spirit and visibility of Indian football, providing a fresh start for the league as it embarks on this new chapter.
