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Indian Football League

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Indian Football League
Organising bodyAIFF
Founded2007; 19 years ago (2007) (as the I-League; succeeding the National Football League)
2026; 0 years ago (2026) (as the Indian Football League)
CountryIndia
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs14
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toIndian Super League
Relegation toI-League 2
Domestic cupAIFF Super Cup
League cupDurand Cup
International cupAFC Champions League Two (via the AIFF Super Cup)
Current championsDiamond Harbour (1st title)
Most championshipsDempo (3 titles)
Top scorerRanti Martins (214 goals)
Broadcaster(s)DD Sports, Sony Sports Network
Waves (OTT)
Websiteindianfootballleague.in
Current: 2025–26 Indian Football League

The Indian Football League (IFL), previously known as the I-League, officially known as the Star Cement Indian Football League[a] for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional football division of the Indian football league system, below the Indian Super League. Administered by the All India Football Federation, it is currently contested by 10 clubs. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the ISL and the I-League 2 respectively.[2]

The competition was founded in 2007 as I-League, the successor to the National Football League, with the first season commenced in November 2007.[3][4] The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the India national team.[4] It operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season.[4]

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru and Gokulam Kerala have won the league twice.[5] Inter Kashi, Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Roundglass Punjab and Mohammedan have won it once.

Since the inaugural season to 2011, the league was sponsored by ONGC and known as ONGC I-League. Between 2011 and 2013, and between 2023 and 2025, it did not have a title sponsor. For 2014–15 season, Airtel was the title sponsor and it was known as Airtel I-League. From 2014 to 2023, it was sponsored by Hero and known as Hero I-League. Following the rebranding as IFL in 2026, Star Cement became the title sponsor for the league.

History

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Origins

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In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League, in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football.[6] Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season.[7]

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.[8]

Formation

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After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season. The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league.[9] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007.[10] The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian.[11] The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports.[12]

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Viva Kerala.

The early seasons (2007–2012)

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The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute.[13] After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League.[14] Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.[15]

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible. This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities. Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the India national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.[16]

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top.[17] Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League. This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong.[18]

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.[14]

Conflict of parties

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On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States. The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league.[19] This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.[20]

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league. It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting.[21] Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League. The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance.[22] At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season.[22]

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India. Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization.[23] Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.[24]

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting.[25] It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.[25]

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.[26]

League improvement

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Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years.[27] Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup.[28] At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.[29]

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0.[30] The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division,[31] however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.[32]

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011.[33] Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014.[34] And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014.[35]

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory.[36] Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.[37]

Demotion to second tier

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On 18 May 2016, IMG–Reliance, along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives.[38]

In 2017, FIFA and the AFC had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a singular league pyramid which would be acceptable for everyone.[39] In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in Kuala Lumpur in order to find a new way forward for Indian football. The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League.[40] A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the AFC Champions League qualifying stage, while the AFC Cup qualifying stage spot going to the ISL champions.[41] The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup.[42]

On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General Windsor John, which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the FSDL, the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India.[43] Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in Da Nang, in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup.[44] In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system.[45]

Restructure and Rebranding

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svg low resolution of I-league logo
Earlier logo of the league as I-League, depicting the trophy.

On 28 January 2026, in a press conference AIFF indicated that the league would set to be rebranded as "Indian Football League" from 2025–26 season.[46] In the press conference, a new governance structure for leagues were rolled out. It was announced a new Governing Council will be formed in which the clubs, the AIFF and the commercial partner would be represented and hold equity. The clubs together would own 60 percent of stake, the AIFF would own 10 percent and the commercial partner would own 30 per cent of stake in the league. However, legally AIFF will continue to own the league, but it had limited its role to mainly compliance and disciplinary matter and narrowed its influence in commercials dealings. Finally, on 12 February 2026, the AIFF's executive committee approved the rebranding of the I-League to the Indian Football League.[47] It had also released a new logo for the rebranded league.[48]

Competition format

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Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed over the years. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the club with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie, head-to-head record and the goal difference are looked.[49]

Clubs

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Current clubs

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Club State/UT City Stadium Capacity
Aizawl Mizoram Aizawl Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 20,000
Bengaluru United Karnataka Bengaluru Bangalore Football Stadium 8,400
Chanmari Mizoram Aizawl Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 20,000
Delhi Delhi New Delhi Ambedkar Stadium 35,000
Dempo Goa Panaji Duler Stadium 5,000
Gokulam Kerala Kerala Kozhikode EMS Stadium 50,000
Mohammedan West Bengal Kolkata Kishore Bharati Krirangan 12,000
Rajasthan United Rajasthan Jaipur Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium 3,000
Real Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar TRC Turf Ground 11,000
Shillong Lajong Meghalaya Shillong SSA Stadium 5,000
Sreenidi Deccan Telangana Hyderabad Deccan Arena 1,500

All time clubs

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A total of 42 clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2025–26 season. The following is a list of clubs that have played in the I-League at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in bold.

I-League
Indian Super League
I-League 2
I-League 3 & State leagues
Defunct clubs
Operational academies

As of 2026

Pos. Team S P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1st 2nd 3rd 1st App Last / Recent app Highest finish
1Churchill Brothers1532515090855703941755392422007–082024–251st
2East Bengal1327612675754252821434530432007–082019–202nd
3Mohun Bagan132761268565430301129451[50] 2312007–082019–201st
4Dempo1022410163603892601293673012007–082025–261st
5Shillong Lajong122547674105330386-563020102009–102025–262nd
6Aizawl12215725687287301-142721002015–162025–261st
7Gokulam Kerala9166753754277207702582002017–182025–261st
8Salgaocar8182704666258229292561012007–082015–161st
9Sporting Goa8178625759241249-82430012007–082015–163rd
10Pune6148634540219168512340112009–102014–152nd
11Mumbai9204537279219281-622310002008–092016–175th
12Real Kashmir8147574842201164372190022018–192025–263rd
13United615048554720220021990002008–092013–144th
14Punjab (including Minerva Punjab season records)7127523540170149211912002016–172022–231st
15Mohammedan6125493442174161131811202008–092023–241st
16Sreenidi Deccan5100502624177124531760222021–222025–262nd
17Indian Arrows9178384397143287-1441570002010–112021–228th
18Bengaluru47842201613179521462102013–142016–171st
19NEROCA7132383064155211-561440102017–182023–242nd
20Air India6144334566142249-1071440002007–082012–138th
21TRAU6112362551134178-441330012019–202023–243rd
22Rajasthan United5100322741129168-391230002021–222025–264th
23JCT49229273693100-71140012007–082010–113rd
24Chennai City585312133112126-141141002016–172020–211st
25Mahindra United3662525169769281000002007–082009–104th
26Viva Kerala49622235196160-64890002007–082011–129th
27Inter Kashi24623149907218831002023–242024–251st
28Namdhari3581715267193-22690002023–242025–266th
29ONGC2521219215576-21550002010–112012–139th
30Sudeva Delhi3481313224260-18520002020–212022–238th
31Delhi246147256584-17490002023–242024–256th
32DSK Shivajians234712153855-17330002015–162016–177th
33HAL2527113437108-71320002010–112011–1212th
34Royal Wahingdoh12086627270300012014–152014–153rd
35Diamond Harbour114923312011291002025–262025–261st
36Kenkre239611223465-31290002021–222022–2313th
37Rangdajied United12467112938-9250002013–142013–1411th
38Sporting Bengaluru12256112442-18210002024–252024–2511th
39Kalyani Bharat12046101328-15180002014–152014–1511th
40Chanmari1144371925-6150002025–262025–265th
41United Sikkim12629152363-40150002012–132012–1314th
42Vasco da Gama12224161449-35100002008–092008–0912th

Clubs qualifying for I-League

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Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League
Season Clubs
2013–14 Bengaluru
2014–15 Bharat
2015–16 DSK Shivajians
2016–17 Churchill Brothers, Chennai City, Minerva Punjab
2017–18 Gokulam Kerala
2020–21 Sudeva Delhi
2021–22 Sreenidi Deccan
2023–24 Inter Kashi, Namdhari
Promoted clubs from I-League 2 to I-League
Season Clubs
2008 Mumbai, Mohammedan, United, Vasco
2009 Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Shillong Lajong, Pune
2010 ONGC, HAL
2011 Shillong Lajong, Sporting Goa
2012 ONGC, United Sikkim
2013 Rangdajied United, Mohammedan
2014 Royal Wahingdoh
2015 Aizawl
2015–16 Dempo
2016–17 NEROCA
2017–18 Real Kashmir
2018–19 TRAU
2020 Mohammedan
2021 Rajasthan United, Mumbai Kenkre
2022–23 Delhi, Shillong Lajong
2023–24 Sporting Bengaluru, Dempo
2024-25 Diamond Harbour, Chanmari FC

Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League

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Promoted clubs from I-League to Indian Super League
Season Clubs
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
2023–24 Mohammedan
2024–25 Inter Kashi
Relegated clubs from I-League to I-League 2
Season Clubs
2007–08 Viva Kerala, Salgaocar
2008–09 Mohammedan, Vasco
2009–10 Sporting Clube de Goa, Shillong Lajong
2010–11 JCT, ONGC
2011–12 Viva Kerala, HAL
2012–13 Air India, United Sikkim
2013–14 Mohammedan
2014–15 Dempo
2015–16 None[b]
2016–17 Mumbai
2017–18 None[c]
2018–19 Shillong Lajong
2019–20 None[d]
2020–21 None[e]
2021–22 None[f]
2022–23 Mumbai Kenkre, Sudeva Delhi
2023–24 NEROCA, TRAU
2024–25 Delhi, Sporting Bengaluru

Timeline

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Sponsorship

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Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ONGC I-League.[55] However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013.[56] On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the Airtel I-League.[57] In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has Hero I-League.[58] The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after 2022–23 season.[59] Following the rebranding of the league from I-League to Indian Football League (IFL) in 2026, Star Cement became the title sponsor of the league.[1]

Title sponsors
Period Title sponsor Brand
2007–2011 ONGC ONGC I-League
2011–2013 No sponsor I-League
2013–2014 Airtel Airtel I-League
2014–2023 Hero Hero I-League
2023–2025 No sponsor I-League
2026– Star Cement Star Cement Indian Football League

Media coverage

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Broadcasting partners
Period TV telecast Online streaming
2007–2010 Zee Sports —
2010–2017 Ten Action, Ten Sports DittoTV
2017–2019 Star Sports Hotstar, JioTV
2019–2022 1Sports Facebook, JioTV
2022–2023 Eurosport, DD Sports Discovery plus
2023–2024 Eurosport FanCode
2024–2025 Sony Sports[60] SSEN
2026–present DD Sports, Sony Sports Waves, SonyLIV

Coaches

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The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint technical or sporting directors as well as manager-style coaches.[61] The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh and Bimal Ghosh were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements.[61] This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director.[61]

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma.[61] On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.[62]

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League.[63][64] Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three.[65] Khogen Singh is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in 2017–18 season.[66]

Current coaches in the I-League
Nat. Name Club Appointed Time since appointment
IndiaR.LalruatfelaAizawl27 February 2026132 days
SpainDimitris DimotriouGokulam Kerala6 June 20251 year, 33 days
CyprusnoneChurchill Brothers25 October 20241 year, 257 days
IndiaSamir NaikDempo1 July 20179 years, 8 days
IndiaCarlos Vaz PintoSreenidi Deccan28 January 20251 year, 162 days
IndiaVikas RawatRajasthan United12 March 20251 year, 119 days
IndiaBibendra ThapaShillong Lajong16 September 20223 years, 296 days
IndiaIshfaq AhmedReal Kashmir27 October 20223 years, 255 days
IndiaHarpreet SinghNamdhari25 November 20232 years, 226 days
SpainKibu VicuñaDiamond Harbour23 February 20233 years, 136 days
IndiaDipankur SharmaChanmari6 January 20251 year, 184 days
IndiaYan LawDelhi25 June 20233 years, 14 days
IndiaChinta Chandrashekar RaoSporting Bengaluru1 April 20233 years, 99 days
The torso and head of a grey-haired white man in a football stadium. He is wearing spectacles and a black coat.
Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.
Winning head coaches
Head coach Wins Winning year(s) Team
India Armando Colaco 3 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 Dempo
England Ashley Westwood 2 2013–14, 2015–16 Bengaluru
Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese 2020–21, 2021–22 Gokulam Kerala
Greece Staikos Vergetis 1 2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
Spain Kibu Vicuña 2019–20 Mohun Bagan
Singapore Akbar Nawas 2018–19 Chennai City
India Khogen Singh 2017–18 Minerva Punjab
India Khalid Jamil 2016–17 Aizawl
India Sanjoy Sen 2014–15 Mohun Bagan
India Mariano Dias 2012–13 Churchill Brothers
Morocco Karim Bencherifa 2010–11 Salgaocar
Serbia Zoran Đorđević 2008–09 Churchill Brothers
Russia Andrey Chernyshov 2023–24 Mohammedan
Spain Antonio López Habas 2024-25 Inter Kashi

Champions

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Season Champions Runners-up Third place Club
Operated as First Division League
2007–08 Dempo Churchill Brothers JCT 10
2008–09 Churchill Brothers Mohun Bagan Sporting Goa 12
2009–10 Dempo Churchill Brothers Pune 14
2010–11 Salgaocar East Bengal Dempo
2011–12 Dempo Churchill Brothers
2012–13 Churchill Brothers Pune East Bengal
2013–14 Bengaluru East Bengal Salgaocar 13
2014–15 Mohun Bagan Bengaluru Royal Wahingdoh 11
2015–16 Bengaluru Mohun Bagan East Bengal 9
2016–17 Aizawl 10
Operated as Joint First Division League with ISL
2017–18 Minerva Punjab NEROCA Mohun Bagan 10
2018–19 Chennai City East Bengal Real Kashmir 11
2019–20 Mohun Bagan Not awarded[g]
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala Churchill Brothers TRAU
2021–22 Mohammedan Sreenidi Deccan 13
Designated as Second Division League
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab Sreenidi Deccan Gokulam Kerala 12
2023–24 Mohammedan 13
2024–25 Inter Kashi Churchill Brothers Real Kashmir 12
2025–26 Diamond Harbour Shillong Lajong Sreenidi Deccan 10

Performance by club

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ClubTitlesRunners-upThird placeWinning seasonRunners-up seasonThird place season
Dempo 3 0 1 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 2010–11
Churchill Brothers 2 4 1 2008–09, 2012–13, 2007–08, 2009–10,

2020–21, 2024–25

 2011–12
Mohun Bagan 2 3 1 2014–15, 2019–20 2008–09, 2015–16, 2016–17 2017–18
Bengaluru 2 1 0 2013–14, 2015–16 2014–15
Gokulam Kerala 2 0 2 2020–21, 2021–22 2022–23, 2023–24
Mohammedan 1 1 0 2023–24 2021–22
Salgaocar 1 0 1 2010–11 2013–14
Minerva Punjab 1 0 0 2017–18
Aizawl 1 0 0 2016–17
Chennai City 1 0 0 2018–19
RoundGlass Punjab 1 0 0 2022–23
Inter Kashi 1 0 0 2024-25
Diamond Harbour 1 0 0 2025–26
East Bengal 0 4 3 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–19 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
Sreenidi Deccan 0 2 2 2022–23, 2023–24 2021–22, 2025–26
Pune 0 1 1 2012–13 2009–10
NEROCA 0 1 0 2017–18
Shillong Lajong 0 1 0 2025–26
Real Kashmir 0 0 2 2018–19, 2024–25
JCT 0 0 1 2007–08
Sporting Goa 0 0 1 2008–09
Royal Wahingdoh 0 0 1 2014–15
TRAU 0 0 1 2020–21

Records and statistics

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Individual game highest attendance records

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Rank Home Score Away Attendance Stadium Date
1Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal90,000Salt Lake Stadium20 November 2011
2Mohun Bagan0–1East Bengal80,000Salt Lake Stadium24 November 2013
3Mohun Bagan2–1East Bengal63,756Salt Lake Stadium

19 January 2020

4Mohun Bagan1–1East Bengal63,342Salt Lake Stadium26 January 2016
5Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal57,780Salt Lake Stadium28 March 2015

Seasonal statistics

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SeasonTotal goalsMatches playedAverage per game
2007–08226902.51[68]
2008–093181322.41[69]
2009–104861822.67[70]
2010–114891822.69[71]
2011–125211822.88[72]
2012–135301822.91[73]
2013–144021562.47[74]
2014–152801102.55[75]
2015–16186722.58[76]
2016–17225902.5[77]
2017–18204902.27[78]
2018–193031092.78
2019–2018769[h] 2.71
2020–21 216 80 2.7
2021–22 294 114 2.58
2022–23 360 132 2.73
2023–24 503 156 3.22

Player transfer fees

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Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs

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RankPlayerFeeYearTransfer outTransfer inReference
1 Nigeria Uga Okpara ₹7 crore (US$730,000) 2009 Nigeria Enyimba India East Bengal
2 Nigeria Odafa Onyeka Okolie ₹3 crore (US$310,000) 2011 India Mohun Bagan India Churchill Brothers
3 India Lester Fernandez ₹20 lakh (US$21,000) 2012 India Pune India Prayag United
4 India Ronaldo Oliveira ₹10 lakh (US$10,000) 2019 India Salgaocar India East Bengal

Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs

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RankPlayerFeeYearTransfer outTransfer inReference
1 Uganda Khalid Aucho ₹4 crore (US$420,000) 2019 India Churchill Brothers Egypt Misr Lel Makkasa [80]
2 India Sunil Chhetri ₹1.14 crore (US$120,000) 2014 India Bengaluru India Mumbai City
3 Spain Pedro Manzi ₹1 crore (US$100,000) 2020 India Chennai City Japan Albirex Niigata
4 India Eugeneson Lyngdoh ₹90 lakh (US$94,000) 2014 India Bengaluru India Pune City

Top scorers

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I-League Golden Boot winners
Season Player Club Goals Ref(s)
2007–08 Nigeria Odafa Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22 [81]
2008–09 Nigeria Odafa Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 26 [81]
2009–10 Nigeria Odafa Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22 [81]
2010–11 Nigeria Ranti Martins Dempo 30 [81]
2011–12 Nigeria Ranti Martins Dempo 32 [82]
2012–13 Nigeria Ranti Martins Prayag United 27 [83]
2013–14 India Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru FC 14 [84]
Scotland Darryl Duffy Salgaocar
Trinidad and Tobago Cornell Glen Shillong Lajong
2014–15 Nigeria Ranti Martins East Bengal 17 [75]
2015–16 Nigeria Ranti Martins East Bengal 12 [76]
2016–17 Cameroon Aser Pierrick Dipanda Shillong Lajong 11 [77]
2017–18 Cameroon Aser Pierrick Dipanda Mohun Bagan 13 [78]
2018–19 Uruguay Pedro Manzi Chennai City FC 21 [85]
Trinidad and Tobago Willis Plaza Churchill Brothers
2019–20 N/a Not Awarded[h]
2020–21 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU FC 12 [86]
2021–22 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph Mohammedan 15
2022–23 Slovenia Luka Majcen RoundGlass Punjab 16
2023–24 Spain Álex Sánchez Gokulam Kerala 19
2024-25 Colombia David Castañeda Sreenidi Deccan 17
Indian top scorers
Season Player Club Goals Ref(s)
2007–08 Bhaichung Bhutia Mohun Bagan 9 [87]
2008–09 Sunil Chhetri East Bengal 9 [87]
2009–10 Mohammed Rafi Mahindra United 13 [87]
2010–11 Jeje Lalpekhlua Indian Arrows 13 [87]
2011–12 Chinadorai Sabeeth Pailan Arrows 9 [87]
2012–13 C. K. Vineeth Prayag United 7 [87]
2013–14 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 14 [74]
2014–15 Thongkhosiem Haokip Pune 7 [75]
2015–16 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 5 [76]
Sushil Kumar Singh Mumbai
2016–17 Sunil Chettri Bengaluru 7 [77]
C. K. Vineeth Bengaluru
2017–18 Abhijit Sarkar Indian Arrows 4 [78]
Subhash Singh NEROCA
2018–19 Jobby Justin East Bengal 9 [88]
2019–20 N/a Not Awarded[h]
2020–21 Bidyashagar Singh TRAU 12 [86]
2021–22 Thahir Zaman Gokulam Kerala 5
Shubho Paul Sudeva Delhi
2022–23 Seilenthang Lotjem Sudeva Delhi 6
Samuel Kynshi Real Kashmir
2023–24 Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia Aizawl 15
2024-25 Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia Aizawl 12

Awards

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The trophy

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The I-League has been awarding the champion trophy since 2013, when Churchill Brothers won the league.[89] It is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues.[89] Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".[89]

Season awards

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End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the Football Players' Association of India. Currently, the awards include Hero of the league, golden boot, golden glove, the best head coach (Syed Abdul Rahim Award), the best defender (Jarnail Singh Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league.

Hero of the League

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Season Player Club
2016–17 India Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru
2018–19 Spain Pedro Manzi Chennai City
2020–21 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph Mohammedan

Syed Abdul Rahim Award

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Season Head coach Club
2008–09[90] England Dave Booth Mumbai
2009–10[91] India Armando Colaco Dempo
2010–11[92] Morocco Karim Bencherifa Salgaocar
2011–12[93] England Trevor Morgan East Bengal
2012–13[94] India Derrick Pereira Pune
2013–14[95] England Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2014–15 India Sanjoy Sen Mohun Bagan
2015–16 England Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2016–17 India Khalid Jamil Aizawl
2017–18[96] India Gift Raikhan NEROCA
2018–19[97] Singapore Akbar Nawas Chennai City
2020–21[86] India L. Nandakumar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese Gokulam Kerala

Emerging player of the season

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Season Player Position Club
2008–09[90] India Baljit Sahni Forward JCT
2009–10[91] India Joaquim Abranches Forward Dempo
2010–11[92] India Jeje Lalpekhlua Forward Pailan Arrows
2011–12[93] India Manandeep Singh Forward Pailan Arrows
2012–13[94] India Alwyn George Midfielder Pailan Arrows
2013–14[95] India Alwyn George Midfielder Dempo
2015–16 India Udanta Singh Winger Bengaluru
2016–17 India Jerry Lalrinzuala Left Back DSK Shivajians
2017–18[96] India Samuel Lalmuanpuia Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2018–19[98] India Phrangi Buam Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2020–21[86] India Emil Benny Forward Gokulam Kerala
2021–22 India Jiteshwor Singh Midfielder NEROCA

Foreign player of the year

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Season Player Position Club
2008–09[90] Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10[91] Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2010–11[92] Brazil Beto Midfielder Dempo
2011–12[99] Nigeria Ranti Martins Forward Dempo
2012–13[94] Nigeria Ranti Martins Forward Prayag United
2013–14[95] Scotland Darryl Duffy Forward Salgaocar

Indian Player of the Season

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Season Player Position Club
2008–09[90] India Sunil Chhetri Forward East Bengal
2009–10[91] India Mohammed Rafi Forward Mahindra United
2010–11[92] India Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12[93] India Syed Nabi Defender Mohun Bagan
2012–13[94] India Lenny Rodrigues Midfielder Churchill Brothers
2013–14[95] India Balwant Singh Forward Churchill Brothers

Fans' player of the year

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Season Player Position Club
2008–09[100] Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10[91] India Subrata Pal Goalkeeper Pune
2010–11[92] India Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12[93] India Francis Fernandes Midfielder Salgaocar
2012–13[94] Afghanistan Zohib Islam Amiri Defender Mumbai
2013–14[95] India Boithang Haokip Midfielder Shillong Lajong

Clubs in Asia

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Traditionally, I-League clubs have done well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals, before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon.[101] East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013, before being knocked-out by Al-Kuwait.[102] Bengaluru is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup final in 2016, losing to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.[103] However, in the AFC Champions League, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.[104]

Season AFC Cup Position AFC Champions League Position
2008–09 Mohun Bagan Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Semi-finals
2009–10 East Bengal Group stage Churchill Brothers Play-off Round
Churchill Brothers Round of 16
2010–11 East Bengal Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Round of 16
2011–12 East Bengal Group stage Salgaocar DNP
Salgaocar Group stage
2012–13 East Bengal Semi-finals Churchill Brothers DNP
Churchill Brothers Group stage
2013–14 Churchill Brothers Round of 16 Pune Qualifying Round 1
Pune Group stage
2014–15 Bengaluru Round of 16 Bengaluru Preliminary Round 1
East Bengal Group stage
2015–16 Mohun Bagan Round of 16 Mohun Bagan Preliminary Round 2
Bengaluru Runners-up
2016–17 Bengaluru Inter-zone finals Bengaluru Preliminary Round 2
Mohun Bagan Group stage
2017–18 Aizawl Group stage Aizawl Play-off Round
Bengaluru Inter-zone semi-finals
2019 Minerva Punjab Group stage Minerva Punjab Preliminary Round 2
2018–19 Chennai City Cancelled Chennai City Preliminary Round 1
2019–20 Mohun Bagan Inter-zone semi-finals
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala Group stage

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ "Following the rebranding to the Indian Football League, Star Cement Ltd. signed a deal with the All India Football Federation as the title sponsor for the 2025-26 season.[1]
  2. ↑ Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League due to withdrawal of 3 Goan clubs.[51]
  3. ↑ Churchill Brothers SC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after the appeal.[52]
  4. ↑ Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after inclusion of two I-League clubs to Indian Super League
  5. ↑ NEROCA FC were relegated but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in India.[53]
  6. ↑ Mumbai Kenkre FC were relegated but were reinstated after the closure of the Indian Arrows project.[54]
  7. ↑ Matches after 14th March 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions, having enough point difference between the second-placed club.[67]
  8. 1 2 3 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the league was suspended and no individual prizes were awarded.[67] However, Aser Pierrick Dipanda of Minerva Punjab scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, Rochharzela of Aizawl scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians.[79]

References

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  4. 1 2 3 "AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams". Rediff. 21 November 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Guha, Sayantan (14 May 2022). "Brilliant Gokulam Kerala FC edge past Mohammedan SC to win historic consecutive I-League titles". www.sportskeeda.com. Kolkata, West Bengal: Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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  38. ↑ Bhattacharjee, Neeladri; Prasad, Aashin (4 July 2025). "Inside the I-League crisis: How AIFF and the ISL deal sidelined Indian clubs". Sportstar. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
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