Where and how to watch the IWL in India?

IWL kicked off in India without a commercial partner.

The Indian Women’s League (IWL) is set to return for its 9th season on December 20th, 2025. Eight teams are set to lock horns for the biggest crown in the women’s game in India, which will also secure their place in the AFC Women’s Champions League.

The reigning champions, East Bengal FC, will have a shot at defending their title in their backyard, with the tournament being played in a centralised format in Kolkata and Kalyani.

With Odisha FC winning the title in the 2023-24 season and the Torchbearers in the following year, they broke the monopoly of Gokulam Kerala, who had won three consecutive titles from 2020. In unprecedented fashion, Odisha FC were relegated last season as reigning champions, the first time that has happened in top-flight Indian Football.

The 2025-26 IWL will be played in a double-round-robin format in two equal phases, on either side of the Indian senior and U20 women’s teams’ Asian Cup campaigns. The first phase will see each club play seven matches (once against every opponent) from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026. The second phase of fixtures will kick off on April 20, 2026, and will end on May 10, 2026.

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IWL 2025-26 format

The 2025-26 IWL season is structured in two phases, with the first running through January 2026, allowing players to balance club commitments with national team responsibilities ahead of continental tournaments. A mid-season break will precede Phase 2, scheduled for April 20 to May 10, 2026, ensuring seamless preparation for India’s senior and U-20 women’s sides.

Across all eight clubs — including stalwarts such as Gokulam Kerala and East Bengal as well as determined newcomers like Garhwal United and SESA FA — the IWL promises a vibrant mix of experience, youth, and competitive spirit. With several storylines already emerging, including title defence ambitions and debutant dreams, this season is set to be a compelling chapter in Indian women’s football.

Live Telecast of the IWL 2025-26

All matches of the Indian Women’s League will be streamed live on Indian Football’s official YouTube Channel. The second round of the 2025-26 season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) promises to deliver some exciting fixtures as the action kicks off on Wednesday. Eight clubs began their bid for top honours with fixtures at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata and Kalyani Municipal Stadium.

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