In a landmark decision for Indian club football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially rebranded the long-standing I-League the country’s second-tier professional competition as the Indian Football League (IFL), starting with the 2025–26 season.
The change, approved by the federation’s Executive Committee, represents both symbolic and structural shifts in how domestic football below the elite Indian Super League (ISL) will be administered and developed going forward.
The rebranding was confirmed on social media by the AIFF, which stated that the Executive Committee had approved the name change as part of a broader update to the governance framework for India’s league system. Alongside the adoption of the Indian Football League moniker, the federation also ratified a charter establishing two separate governing councils one for the ISL and one for the newly named IFL in an effort to give clubs more influence in decision-making and operational matters.
A League With a Long History
The competition now known as the Indian Football League began life in 1996 as the National Football League (NFL), introduced with the aim of professionalising the domestic game in India. It was rebranded as the I-League in 2007 when the NFL was replaced, forming the top tier of Indian football at the time. However, with the launch of the more commercially driven ISL in 2014, and subsequent strategic decisions by the AIFF and Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the I-League became the second tier of the Indian football pyramid.
Over nearly two decades under the I-League banner, clubs such as Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Aizawl FC, and Gokulam Kerala have etched their names into the competition’s history through title wins, memorable matches and spirited competition.
Why the Change Matters
The rebranding to Indian Football League is more than cosmetic it reflects a realignment in governance, identity and competitive structure at a time of flux for Indian football.
Firstly, the new name underscores a shift in ownership and voice. Under the revamped model, participating clubs are expected to hold majority representation on the league’s governing council and management committee, giving them a greater role in shaping league policies, schedules and commercial strategy an approach modelled on self-governing league structures seen in Europe and other established markets.
Secondly, the switch comes amid immediate challenges in Indian football’s commercial landscape. The longstanding Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which had governed the ISL’s operations and broadcast partnerships, expired in December 2025 and has not been renewed. This has left both the ISL and the second tier without a major publishing partner or stable commercial revenue pipeline going into the new season.
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Finally, the name change is paired with proposed format alterations designed to ensure sustained competition even in a truncated season. Clubs and federation officials have discussed a two-stage competition model, where all participating teams compete in a first league stage before splitting into championship and relegation rounds. Points from the initial phase would carry over, maintaining competitive integrity while giving mid-season stakes to every fixture.
The 2025–26 Season in Focus
The first season under the Indian Football League banner is scheduled to begin on 21 February 2026, featuring clubs drawn from India’s football heartlands. Though the exact number of teams will depend on operational confirmations from participating clubs, the competition has already been described as a “truncated” season due to scheduling overlap with the ISL and broader systemic restructuring.
Interestingly, this transition to the Indian Football League comes alongside notable administrative developments at the federation level. Clubs have recently put forward proposals that include governance reform, new management committees, and enhanced involvement in league affairs a potential turning point for competitive football below the ISL.
While the I-League name has been retired, its legacy lives on through the Indian Football League. For supporters of traditional clubs and purists of Indian football’s competitive fabric, this move represents both continuity and change: continuity in the core structure of second-tier competition, and change in governance, branding and strategic direction.
For decades, the league now reborn as the Indian Football League served as the proving ground for clubs aspiring to reach the top flight and nurture local talent. It remains an essential pillar of the Indian football pyramid now with a refreshed identity that reflects both modern demands and historical significance in the sport’s growth across the country.
As the inaugural Indian Football League campaign unfolds, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching to see whether this rebranding delivers more than a new name ushering in a new era of competition, stability and footballing opportunity across India’s evolving sporting landscape.
