AIFF confirm 2025-26 season dates, registration periods for Indian clubs

AIFF announced that the summer transfer window will open from June 12, 2025.

The 2024-25 Indian domestic football season might’ve ended with a bang with FC Goa claiming the Super Cup, but the 2025-26 campaign isn’t really that far away, with AIFF confirming the dates. There will be a break for the domestic campaign, during which the Indian football team will be playing two matches in June (2025) and players will also be afforded some much-needed rest.

However, the 2025-26 campaign for Indian football will begin from July itself, with the prestigious Durand Cup kicking off the new season. Now, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have confirmed the important dates for the 2025/26 season and when the respective teams can also register their players for the campaign.

Summer and window transfer window dates released

The AIFF has confirmed that for both Men’s and Women’s clubs in Indian football, the first registration period for new signings will begin from 12 June onwards. Teams from around the country can register their new players from that period, with the registration period closing on 31 August 2025 for both men’s and women’s team.

Moreover, the clubs will also be allowed to make changes or additions to their teams in the second registration period. This will begin on 1st January 2026, which will basically act as the winter transfer window in Indian Football. This period will stretch up until 31st January 2026, with the teams getting a one-month period to make changes or ramifications to their squads during the month.

It has also been confirmed by the AIFF that the registration for amateur players into Men’s or Women’s teams will begin from June 1st 2025 and stretch up all the way until 31st May, 2026. This means the teams will get the entirety of the campaign to register amateur players into their squad whenever they deem necessary.

Indian Football 2025-26 season dates released

The AIFF has also confirmed the dates for the beginning and closing of the 2025/26 Indian football season. The campaign will officially kick off on 1st June 2025 and will end on 31st May, 2026. For the Men’s clubs in Indian football, the Durand Cup will act as the curtain raiser as the tournament will begin on tentatively 18 July (2025), with the finale being held on 23 August.

There is still no confirmation on when exactly the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) or I-League campaigns will be beginning as of yet. The ISL, of course, will see one more team from the I-League (probably Churchill Brothers) promoted to the first division, and that will also increase the numbers of games each team players to at least 26 in the league phase.

Indian Football fans only have a little more to wait for the beginning of what is likely to be an entertaining 2025-26 Indian Football season, with the exciting summer transfer window kicking everything off with some dramatic changes.

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