IFL 2025-26: Indian Football League fixtures announced
I-League was officially renamed as Indian Football League (IFL).
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced the fixtures for the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 season. The Indian Football League, formerly known as the I-League, is the second tier of men’s professional football leagues in India.
The season will commence on February 27, 2026, with two matches scheduled on the opening day. Namdhari FC will take on Aizawl FC, while Chanmari FC will face Gokulam Kerala FC on the first day of action.
As per the proposal by the clubs, the IFL 2025-26 season will feature a two-stage format. Stage 1 will see the 10 participating clubs compete in a single-leg home-and-away round-robin format.
In Stage 2 of IFL 2025-26, the teams get divided into two groups. Those that finished in the top half in Stage 1 will advance to a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half will compete in a centralised relegation round.
All points from the initial stage will carry forward to preserve the competitive context of the league. The league toppers at the end of Stage 2 will be crowned the Indian Football League champions and will be promoted to the Indian Super League 2026-27.
IFL 2025-26 Stage 1 Fixtures:
| Match No | Date | Home Team | vs | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27-Feb-26 | Namdhari FC | vs | Aizawl FC |
| 2 | 27-Feb-26 | Chamari FC | vs | Gokulam Kerala FC |
| 3 | 28-Feb-26 | Diamond Harbour FC | vs | Sreenidi Deccan FC |
| 4 | 1-Mar-26 | Shillong Lajong FC | vs | Rajasthan United FC |
| 5 | 1-Mar-26 | Dempo Sports Club | vs | Real Kashmir FC |
| 6 | 6-Mar-26 | Aizawl FC | vs | Rajasthan United FC |
| 7 | 7-Mar-26 | Gokulam Kerala FC | vs | Namdhari FC |
| 8 | 7-Mar-26 | Chamari FC | vs | Sreenidi Deccan FC |
| 9 | 8-Mar-26 | Shillong Lajong FC | vs | Real Kashmir FC |
| 10 | 8-Mar-26 | Diamond Harbour FC | vs | Dempo Sports Club |
| 11 | 12-Mar-26 | Chamari FC | vs | Dempo Sports Club |
| 12 | 13-Mar-26 | Rajasthan United FC | vs | Namdhari FC |
| 13 | 13-Mar-26 | Aizawl FC | vs | Real Kashmir FC |
| 14 | 14-Mar-26 | Gokulam Kerala FC | vs | Sreenidi Deccan FC |
| 15 | 14-Mar-26 | Shillong Lajong FC | vs | Diamond Harbour FC |
| 16 | 17-Mar-26 | Rajasthan United FC | vs | Real Kashmir FC |
| 17 | 19-Mar-26 | Chamari FC | vs | Shillong Lajong FC |
| 18 | 19-Mar-26 | Sreenidi Deccan FC | vs | Namdhari FC |
| 19 | 20-Mar-26 | Aizawl FC | vs | Diamond Harbour FC |
| 20 | 20-Mar-26 | Gokulam Kerala FC | vs | Dempo Sports Club |
| 21 | 24-Mar-26 | Aizawl FC | vs | Chamari FC |
| 22 | 25-Mar-26 | Sreenidi Deccan FC | vs | Dempo Sports Club |
| 23 | 25-Mar-26 | Real Kashmir FC | vs | Namdhari FC |
| 24 | 26-Mar-26 | Gokulam Kerala FC | vs | Shillong Lajong FC |
| 25 | 26-Mar-26 | Rajasthan United FC | vs | Diamond Harbour FC |
| 26 | 31-Mar-26 | Gokulam Kerala FC | vs | Aizawl FC |
| 27 | 1-Apr-26 | Rajasthan United FC | vs | Chamari FC |
| 28 | 1-Apr-26 | Sreenidi Deccan FC | vs | Shillong Lajong FC |
| 29 | 2-Apr-26 | Dempo Sports Club | vs | Namdhari FC |
| 30 | 2-Apr-26 | Real Kashmir FC | vs | Diamond Harbour FC |
| 31 | 5-Apr-26 | Sreenidi Deccan FC | vs | Aizawl FC |
| 32 | 6-Apr-26 | Real Kashmir FC | vs | Chamari FC |
| 33 | 6-Apr-26 | Namdhari FC | vs | Diamond Harbour FC |
| 34 | 7-Apr-26 | Dempo Sports Club | vs | Shillong Lajong FC |
| 35 | 7-Apr-26 | Rajasthan United FC | vs | Gokulam Kerala FC |
| 36 | 10-Apr-26 | Namdhari FC | vs | Shillong Lajong FC |
| 37 | 11-Apr-26 | Diamond Harbour FC | vs | Chamari FC |
| 38 | 11-Apr-26 | Dempo Sports Club | vs | Aizawl FC |
| 39 | 12-Apr-26 | Real Kashmir FC | vs | Gokulam Kerala FC |
| 40 | 12-Apr-26 | Sreenidi Deccan FC | vs | Rajasthan United FC |
| 41 | 17-Apr-26 | Namdhari FC | vs | Chamari FC |
| 42 | 18-Apr-26 | Shillong Lajong FC | vs | Aizawl FC |
| 43 | 18-Apr-26 | Diamond Harbour FC | vs | Gokulam Kerala FC |
| 44 | 19-Apr-26 | Dempo Sports Club | vs | Rajasthan United FC |
| 45 | 19-Apr-26 | Real Kashmir FC | vs | Sreenidi Deccan FC |
What is the Indian Football League (IFL)?
The Indian Football League (IFL) is India’s second-tier men’s professional football competition. It was officially rebranded from the I-League ahead of the 2025–26 season by AIFF.
When does the IFL 2025–26 season start?
The IFL 2025–26 season begins on February 27, 2026, with two matches scheduled on the opening day of the league.
Which matches will be played on the opening day of IFL 2025-26?
On the first day of the season, Namdhari FC face Aizawl FC, while Chanmari FC take on Gokulam Kerala FC, setting the tone for the campaign.
What is the format of the IFL 2025–26 season?
A total of 10 clubs will compete in the IFL 2025–26 season across two competitive stages. The season follows a two-stage format. In Stage 1, all teams play a single-leg home-and-away round-robin. Based on standings, teams then move into Stage 2. The team finishing on top after Stage 2 will be crowned Indian Football League champions and earn promotion to the Indian Super League 2026–27 season.
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A sports journalist for over 4 years, Triyasha has been covering Indian Football and Kanbaddi meticulously, She specialises in in-depth knowledge of the game, the players and the footballing infrastructure and heritage in India.