AIFF shuts door on Churchill Brothers and SC Bengaluru’s ISL & I-League dreams

ISL to kick off from 14 February.

With the Indian football season just around the corner, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee has rejected the recent requests from Churchill Brothers FC and SC Bengaluru to join the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League, respectively.

The decision comes at a crucial time, as clubs finalise squads and preparations for the upcoming campaigns are in full swing.

About the situation

Earlier, SC Bengaluru submitted a letter to the AIFF expressing their interest in joining the I-League for the 2025–26 season, while Churchill Brothers indicated their intent to join the Indian Super League (ISL).

Sporting Club Bengaluru emphasized the urgency of their inclusion, citing delayed responses, governance inconsistencies compared to cases like Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi, and warning that exclusion could impact investor confidence.

Sporting Club Bengaluru stated, “At a time when confidence requires rebuilding, Sporting Club Bengaluru has actively secured serious international investment prospects that would contribute to restoring and expanding the ecosystem. These investors require regulatory clarity and institutional stability.”

“Exclusion from the I-League would erode investor confidence, risk contractual instability, discourage future private capital, and undermine the progress made through organic growth.” they further added.

Their request was scheduled for discussion at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting. However, during the online ExCo session, the committee decided not to add any new teams to either the ISL or I-League for this season.

Also Read: Sporting Club Bengaluru express willingness to join I-League 2025-26

AIFF finalizes league structure for new ISL & I-League Season

With the Executive Committee’s decision now confirmed, Inter Kashi stands as the only club to earn promotion from the I-League to the ISL for the upcoming season.

At the same time, SC Bengaluru will not feature in the I-League either, as decided in the meeting. As the new campaign approaches, the league lineup is now clear, bringing certainty to the structure for the 2025–26 season.

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