{{Short description|Second division men's association football league in India}} {{Redirect|I league|League in Indonesia|I-League (Indonesia)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox football league | name = Indian Football League | image = Indian Football League.png | pixels = 180 | organiser = AIFF | founded = {{Start date and age|2007}} (as the ''I-League''; succeeding the ''National Football League'')<br />{{Start date and age|2026}} (as the ''Indian Football League'') | country = India | confed = AFC | teams = 14<ref>https://www.facebook.com/ILeagueOfficial/photos/the-indian-football-league-2025-26-will-kick-off-on-february-27-more-details-bit/896922206054404/</ref> | levels = 2 | promotion = Indian Super League | relegation = I-League 2 | domest_cup = AIFF Super Cup | league_cup = Durand Cup | confed_cup = AFC Champions League Two (via the ''AIFF Super Cup'') | champions = Diamond Harbour (1st title) | top_goalscorer = Ranti Martins (214 goals) | most_successful_club = Dempo (3 titles) | tv = DD Sports, Sony Sports Network <br/> Waves (OTT) | website = {{URL|https://indianfootballleague.in}} | current = 2025–26 Indian Football League }} The '''Indian Football League''' ('''IFL'''), previously known as the '''I-League''', officially known as the '''Star Cement Indian Football League'''{{efn|name=fn1|"Following the rebranding to the Indian Football League, Star Cement Ltd. signed a deal with the All India Football Federation as the title sponsor for the 2025-26 season.<ref name="Star Title sponsor"/>}} for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional football division of the Indian football league system, below the Indian Super League. Administered by the All India Football Federation, it is currently contested by 10 clubs. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the ISL and the I-League 2 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title= New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league|website=www.indiansuperleague.com|date=14 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
The competition was founded in 2007 as ''I-League'', the successor to the National Football League, with the first season commenced in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i-league.org/about-us/history-of-i-league/ |title=History of I-League |publisher=AIFF |website=i-league.org |access-date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614150349/https://i-league.org/about-us/history-of-i-league/ |archive-date=14 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="AIFF2007">{{cite news |title=AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=Rediff |date=21 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042458/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the India national team.<ref name="AIFF2007"/> It operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season.<ref name="AIFF2007"/>
Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru and Gokulam Kerala have won the league twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-brilliant-gokulam-kerala-fc-edge-past-mohammedan-sc-win-consecutive-i-league-titles|title=Brilliant Gokulam Kerala FC edge past Mohammedan SC to win historic consecutive I-League titles|website=www.sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=14 May 2022|access-date=15 May 2022|first=Sayantan|last=Guha|location=Kolkata, West Bengal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515124228/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-brilliant-gokulam-kerala-fc-edge-past-mohammedan-sc-win-consecutive-i-league-titles|archive-date=15 May 2022}}</ref> Inter Kashi, Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Roundglass Punjab and Mohammedan have won it once.
Since the inaugural season to 2011, the league was sponsored by ONGC and known as ''ONGC I-League''. Between 2011 and 2013, and between 2023 and 2025, it did not have a title sponsor. For 2014–15 season, Airtel was the title sponsor and it was known as ''Airtel I-League''. From 2014 to 2023, it was sponsored by Hero and known as ''Hero I-League''. Following the rebranding as IFL in 2026, Star Cement became the title sponsor for the league.
== History == === Origins === In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League, in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football.<ref name=GoldenTimes>{{cite web |title=Indian National League (I-League) 2011–12 Season Review |url=http://www.goaldentimes.org/indian-national-league-i-league-2011-12-season-review/ |website=Goalden Times |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007072457/http://www.goaldentimes.org/indian-national-league-i-league-2011-12-season-review/ |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=M.G. |title=The final whistle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/20020506-first-indian-professional-football-club-fc-kochin-faces-closure-as-players-migrate-795344-2002-05-05 |website=India Today |date=6 May 2002 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717065437/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-indian-professional-football-club-fc-kochin-faces-closure-as-players-migrate/1/219886.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://ileague.in/history/ |website=ileague.in |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214408/http://ileague.in/history/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
=== Formation === After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season. The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league.<ref name="I-League relaunched">{{cite web |title=AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |website=Rediff |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162341/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Amin-ul Islam |first1=Mohammad |title=I-League partners ONGC cry foul |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-partners-ONGC-cry-foul/articleshow/2579593.cms |website=Times of India |date=28 November 2007 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928143611/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-partners-ONGC-cry-foul/articleshow/2579593.cms |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League Clubs have Too Many Foreigners: Bhutia |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/ILeague-Clubs-have-Too-Many-Foreigners-Bhutia/668120 |website=Outlook India |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716233754/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/ILeague-Clubs-have-Too-Many-Foreigners-Bhutia/668120 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zee Sports, AIFF ready with ONGC I-League |url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/print.php?id=1195724736 |website=Televisionpoint |access-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322125703/http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/print.php?id=1195724736 |archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref>
The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Viva Kerala.
=== The early seasons (2007–2012) === The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dempo beat Salgaocar 3–0 with Chidi's brace |url=https://www.mykhel.com/football/dempo-beat-salgaocar-3-0-with-chidis-brace-019613.html |website=ONE India |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717080112/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/24/dempo-beat-salgaocar-3-0-with-chidis-brace-1195916716.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League.<ref name="Hindu Dempo Champions 2007">{{cite news |title=Dempo SC is I-League champion |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/dempo-sc-is-ileague-champion/article3336931.ece |website=The Hindu |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162307/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/dempo-sc-is-ileague-champion/article3336931.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Salgaocar, Viva Kerala relegated from I-League |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/salgaocar-viva-kerala-relegated-from-i-league_10018495.html |website=www.theindian.com |publisher=Tha Indian |date=17 February 2008| access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717185553/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/salgaocar-viva-kerala-relegated-from-i-league_10018495.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |location=Margao, Goa|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible. This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities. Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the India national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.<ref name="ILeague National Tournament">{{cite web |last1=Rajan |first1=P Sujesh |title=Is the I-League a national tournament? |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/is-the-ileague-a-national-tournament-/364621/ |website=Indian Express |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140717164438/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/is-the-ileague-a-national-tournament-/364621/ |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young Brothers outlast their elders |url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-996-0-0-0&sID=12633&articleID=8880625&news_task=DETAIL |website=FOX Sports |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720150848/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-996-0-0-0&sID=12633&articleID=8880625&news_task=DETAIL |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League. This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong.<ref name="Telegraph India Nationals">{{cite web |title=Shillong's Lajong FC defy odds |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090419/jsp/sports/story_10842811.jsp |website=Telegraph India |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716173547/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090419/jsp/sports/story_10842811.jsp |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.<ref name="Hindu Dempo Champions 2007"/>
==== Conflict of parties ==== On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States. The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league.<ref name="IMG Deal 2010">{{cite news |title=AIFF signs 700-crore deal with IMG-RIL |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM |website=Times of India | date=9 December 2010 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530143649/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhattacharjee, Prasad |first=Neeladri, Aashin |date=4 July 2025 |title=How did AIFF change course from I-League to ISL? |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/isl-failure-or-indian-football-not-ready-for-indian-super-league-aiff-fsdl-mra-2025-crisis/article69758707.ece |access-date=4 July 2025 |website=Sportstar}}</ref>
Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league. It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting.<ref name="Owners Meeting February 2011">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somnath |title=Indian Football : BREAKING NEWS (8th February, 2012) : I-League Clubs On War Path With AIFF? |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-breaking-news-8th-february-2012-i-league-clubs-on-war-path-with-aiff/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314133754/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-breaking-news-8th-february-2012-i-league-clubs-on-war-path-with-aiff/ |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League. The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance.<ref name="TOI Clubs Refuse"/> At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season.<ref name="TOI Clubs Refuse">{{cite news |title=I-League clubs refuse to accept AIFF diktat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/I-League-clubs-refuse-to-accept-AIFF-diktat/articleshow/11982740.cms |website=Times of India |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316032301/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/I-League-clubs-refuse-to-accept-AIFF-diktat/articleshow/11982740.cms |archive-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the ''Indian Professional Football Clubs Association'' (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India. Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization.<ref name="Hindu March 2012">{{cite web |title=I-League club owners press for sustainable revenue model |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article2982415.ece |website=The Hindu |date=11 March 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144740/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article2982415.ece |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.<ref name="AIFF IPFCA Non-Meeting">{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=AIFF and IMG-Reliance's 'Slack' behaviour results in no plan on Indian football being presented |url=http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3059078 |website=Goal.com |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314141014/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3059078 |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting.<ref name="IPFCA Ad hoc">{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=AFC president Zhang Jilong greeted with I-League clubs' absence |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/05/3081509/afc-president-zhang-jilong-greeted-with-i-league-clubs |website=Goal.com |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103939/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/05/3081509/afc-president-zhang-jilong-greeted-with-i-league-clubs |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.<ref name="IPFCA Ad hoc"/>
On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.<ref name="IPFCA Society">{{cite web |title=IPFCA office bearers nominated |url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ipfca-office-bearers-nominated/ |website=SportsKeeda |date=16 June 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716061923/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ipfca-office-bearers-nominated/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== League improvement ==== Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=After 27 years, India bids to make mark on Asian Cup |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/595840/after-27-years-india-bids-to-make-mark-on-asian-cup |website=Dawn |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719002853/http://www.dawn.com/news/595840/after-27-years-india-bids-to-make-mark-on-asian-cup |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subrata Pal the spiderman on trial in Germany |url=http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2012/07/17/subrata-pal-the-spiderman-on-trial-in-germany/ |website=Indian Football Network |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144327/http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2012/07/17/subrata-pal-the-spiderman-on-trial-in-germany/ |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=KC Wizards sign Sunil Chhetri – will be first Indian player to play in MLS |url=http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-03-26-kc-wizards-sign-sunil-chhetri-will-be-first-indian-player-to-play-in-mls |website=The Original Winger |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314135603/http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-03-26-kc-wizards-sign-sunil-chhetri-will-be-first-indian-player-to-play-in-mls |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghoshal |first1=Amoy |title=Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal – Marines Go Second As Trevor Morgan Suffers First Derby Defeat |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal/1215860/report |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103930/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal/1215860/report |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mangar |first1=Nirmal |title=United Sikkim enters I-League – Draw for Bhaichung boys |url=http://www.samachar.com/united-sikkim-enters-i-league-meseLqghgfc.html |website=Samachar |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716072158/http://www.samachar.com/united-sikkim-enters-i-league-meseLqghgfc.html |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Srivastava |first1=Ayush |title=Club management to blame for United Sikkim's relegation |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/22/3921495/club-management-to-blame-for-united-sikkims-relegation |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103956/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/22/3921495/club-management-to-blame-for-united-sikkims-relegation |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri at Glasgow Rangers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Jeje-Lalpekhlua-Sunil-Chhetri-at-Glasgow-Rangers/articleshow/10886660.cms |website=Times of India |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020245/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Jeje-Lalpekhlua-Sunil-Chhetri-at-Glasgow-Rangers/articleshow/10886660.cms |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Subrata Paul signs 6-month contract with FC Vikings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Subrata-Paul-signs-6-month-contract-with-FC-Vikings/articleshow/29618387.cms |website=Times of India |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154544/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Subrata-Paul-signs-6-month-contract-with-FC-Vikings/articleshow/29618387.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gurpreet Singh Sandhu set for a trial cum training stint with Wigan Athletic |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/07/15/3243610/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-set-for-a-trial-cum-training-stint |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303102418/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/07/15/3243610/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-set-for-a-trial-cum-training-stint |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carlos signs one year deal with Prayag United |url=http://www.indiansportsnews.com/top-stories/15302-carlos-signs-one-year-deal-with-prayag.html |website=Indian Sports News |date=27 June 2012 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314132919/http://www.indiansportsnews.com/top-stories/15302-carlos-signs-one-year-deal-with-prayag.html |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Srivastava |first1=Ayush |title=Lebanese defender Bilal Najjarin leaves Churchill Brothers |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/01/24/3697682/lebanese-defender-bilal-najjarin-leaves-churchill-brothers |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103935/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/01/24/3697682/lebanese-defender-bilal-najjarin-leaves-churchill-brothers |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Demotion to second tier === On 18 May 2016, IMG–Reliance, along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives.<ref name="Meeting 2016">{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=Neeladri |last2=Prasad |first2=Aashin |date=4 July 2025 |title=Inside the I-League crisis: How AIFF and the ISL deal sidelined Indian clubs |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-crisis-aiff-fsdl-isl-indian-football-ecosystem-collapse-news/article69760076.ece |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Sportstar}}</ref>
In 2017, FIFA and the AFC had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a singular league pyramid which would be acceptable for everyone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojha |first1=Chiranjit |title=REVEALED - AFC and FIFA's complete blueprint for re-structuring ISL, I-League and Indian football |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/14611-revealed--afc-and-fifas-complete-blueprint-for-re-structuring-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |website=The Fan Garage |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422111652/https://thefangarage.com/articles/14611-revealed--afc-and-fifas-complete-blueprint-for-re-structuring-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |url-status=live }}</ref> In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in Kuala Lumpur in order to find a new way forward for Indian football. The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League.<ref name="Kuala Lampur">{{cite news|title=Still no consensus on ISL, I-League merger despite high-profile meet|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|access-date=13 August 2017|work=The Times of India|date=7 June 2017|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703151254/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the AFC Champions League qualifying stage, while the AFC Cup qualifying stage spot going to the ISL champions.<ref name="Recognition">{{cite news|title=ISL gets official recognition from AFC, becomes second national football league|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|access-date=13 August 2017|work=FirstPost|date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102044117/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 July 2017|title=AFC competitions committee's decisions published|work=The Asian Football Confederation|url=http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816010704/http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|archive-date=16 August 2017}}</ref>
On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General Windsor John, which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the FSDL, the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojha |first1=Chiranjit |title=REVEALED: Inside the AFC-AIFF meeting that transformed ISL, I-League and Indian football |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/18145-revealed-inside-the-afc-aiff-meeting-that-transformed-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |website=The Fan Garage |date=14 October 2021 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531133432/https://thefangarage.com/articles/18145-revealed-inside-the-afc-aiff-meeting-that-transformed-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |url-status=live }}</ref> Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in Da Nang, in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVE INDIAN FOOTBALL ROADMAP |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap |website=The AIFF |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917202459/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system.<ref>{{cite web |title=New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league |url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |website=Indian Super League |date=14 October 2019 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=1 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101060825/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Restructure and Rebranding === thumb|100px|right|alt=svg low resolution of I-league logo|Earlier logo of the league as I-League, depicting the trophy. On 28 January 2026, in a press conference AIFF indicated that the league would set to be rebranded as "''Indian Football League''" from 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Selvaraj |first1=Jonathan |title=I-League to begin on Feb. 21, set to be rebranded as Indian Football League |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-2025-26-season-date-start-confirmed-format-details-news-indian-football-league/article70561073.ece |access-date=26 February 2026 |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu |date=29 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260226115734/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-2025-26-season-date-start-confirmed-format-details-news-indian-football-league/article70561073.ece |archive-date=26 February 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the press conference, a new governance structure for leagues were rolled out. It was announced a new Governing Council will be formed in which the clubs, the AIFF and the commercial partner would be represented and hold equity. The clubs together would own 60 percent of stake, the AIFF would own 10 percent and the commercial partner would own 30 per cent of stake in the league. However, legally AIFF will continue to own the league, but it had limited its role to mainly compliance and disciplinary matter and narrowed its influence in commercials dealings. Finally, on 12 February 2026, the AIFF's executive committee approved the rebranding of the I-League to the Indian Football League.<ref>{{cite news |title=I-League officially rebranded as Indian Football League |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-officially-rebranded-indian-football-league-news/article70625435.ece |access-date=26 February 2026 |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu |date=12 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260226122946/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-officially-rebranded-indian-football-league-news/article70625435.ece |archive-date=26 February 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> It had also released a new logo for the rebranded league.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Indian Football League|author-link=Indian Football League |user=IndFtblLeague |number=2026972336248009018 |title=Every line has meaning. Every colour carries weight. This isn’t just a crest. It's a commitment to competition, identity, and growth.}}</ref>
== Competition format == Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed over the years. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the club with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie, head-to-head record and the goal difference are looked.<ref>{{cite web |title=2015–16 Regulations |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/downloaddocumentlibrary.php?id=83 |website=The All India Football Federation |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221055142/https://www.the-aiff.com/downloaddocumentlibrary.php?id=83 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Clubs == === Current clubs === {{Further|2025–26 I-League}} {{Location map+ |India3 |float=right |width=390 |caption=Locations of the I-League clubs |places=
<!-- Aizawl Clubs --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=23.73 |long=92.72 |label= <span class="nowrap">{{nowrap|Aizawl}}</span>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}
<!-- Dempo --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=15.25 |long=73.95 |label= <span class="nowrap"> {{nowrap|Dempo}}</span>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}
<!-- Delhi --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=28.61 |long=77.23 |label= <div style="font-size:100%">{{nowrap|Delhi}}</div>|position=right}}
<!--Diamond Harbour--> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=22.1191009 |long=88.190474 |label_size=90 |label=<span class="nowrap">Diamond<br>Harbour</span> |position=bottom}}
<!-- Namdhari FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=30.88 |long=76.06 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|Namdhari}}</div>|position=right}}
<!-- Shillong Lajong FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=25.58 |long=91.89 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;position">Shillong Lajong</div>|position=left}}
<!-- Sreenidi Deccan FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=17.38 |long=78.49 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|Sreenidi Deccan}}</div>|position=left}}
<!-- Rajasthan United FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=26.90 |long=75.80 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">Rajasthan United</div>|position=left}}
<!-- Chanmari FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=23.1645 |long=92.9376|label=<span class="nowrap">Chanmari</span>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}
<!-- Gokulam Kerala FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=11.25 |long=75.77 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">Gokulam Kerala</div>|position=left}}
<!-- Real Kashmir FC --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=34.07 |long=74.82 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;">{{nowrap|Real Kashmir}}</div>|position=right}}
<!-- Sporting Bengaluru --> {{Location map~ |India3 |lat=12.96 |long=77.61 |label= <div style="font-size:100%;">{{nowrap|Sporting Bengaluru}}</div>|position=left}} }}
<section end="map" />
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: left; font-size" |- !Club !State/UT !City !Stadium !Capacity |- |Aizawl |Mizoram |Aizawl |Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |20,000 |- |Chanmari |Mizoram |Aizawl |Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |20,000 |- |Churchill Brothers |Goa |Margao |Raia Panchayat Stadium |8,000 |- |Dempo |Goa |Panaji |Duler Stadium |5,000 |- |Diamond Harbour |West Bengal |Diamond Harbour |Naihati Stadium |25,000 |- |Gokulam Kerala |Kerala |Kozhikode |EMS Stadium |50,000 |- |Namdhari |Punjab |Bhaini Sahib |Namdhari Stadium |1,000 |- |Rajasthan United |Rajasthan |Jaipur |Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium |3,000 |- |Real Kashmir |Jammu & Kashmir |Srinagar |TRC Turf Ground |11,000 |- |Shillong Lajong |Meghalaya |Shillong |SSA Stadium |5,000 |- |Sreenidi Deccan |Telangana |Hyderabad |Deccan Arena |1,500 |}
=== All time clubs === A total of '''42''' clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2025–26 season. The following is a list of clubs that have played in the '''I-League''' at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in '''bold'''.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;" |- | style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"| || I-League |- | style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"| || Indian Super League |- | style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"| || I-League 2 |- | style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"| || I-League 3 & State leagues |- | style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"| ||Defunct clubs |- | style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;"| ||Operational academies |}
''{{As of|2026}}'' {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;" |- !Pos. !Team !{{Abbr|S|Season}} !{{Abbr|P|Matches played}} !{{Abbr|W|Won}} !{{Abbr|D|Draw}} !{{Abbr|L|Lost}} !{{Abbr|GF|Goal for}} !{{Abbr|GA|Goal against}} !{{Abbr|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Abbr|Pts|Total points}} !1st !2nd !3rd !{{Tooltip|1st App|First appearance}} !{{Tooltip|Last / Recent app|Recent season in I-League}} !Highest finish
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''1''' || '''Churchill Brothers'''|| '''15''' || '''325''' || '''150''' || '''90''' || 85 || '''570''' || '''394''' || '''175''' || '''539''' || 2 || '''4''' || 2 || 2007–08|| 2024–25|| {{Sort|01|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''2'''|| East Bengal || 13 || 276 || 126 || 75 || 75 || 425 || 282 || 143 || 453 || 0 || 4 || '''3''' || 2007–08|| 2019–20 || {{Sort|02|2nd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''3''' || Mohun Bagan || 13 || 276 || 126 || 85 || 65 || 430 || 301 || 129 || 451{{refn|group=|All points prior (12) to this match were deducted as they refused to play the second half of Kolkata Derby in the 2012-13 season. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/aiff-revoke-mohun-bagans-i-league-ban-but-deduct-12-points}} | 2 || 3 || 1 || 2007–08|| 2019–20 || {{Sort|03|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''4''' || '''Dempo''' || 10 || 224 || 101 || 63 || 60 || 389 || 260 || 129 || 367 || '''3''' || 0 || 1 || 2007–08|| 2025–26 || {{Sort|04|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''5''' || '''Shillong Lajong''' || 12 || 254 || 76 || 74 || '''105''' || 330 || 386 || -56 || 302 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 2009–10|| 2025–26 || {{Sort|05|2nd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''6''' || '''Aizawl''' || 12 || 215 || 72 || 56 || 87 || 287 || 301 || -14 || 272 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2015–16 || 2025–26|| {{Sort|06|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''7'''|| '''Gokulam Kerala'''|| 9 || 166 || 75 || 37 || 54 || 277 || 207 || 70 || 258 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 2017–18|| 2025–26|| {{Sort|07|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;" | '''8''' || Salgaocar|| 8 || 182 || 70 || 46 || 66 || 258 || 229 || 29 || 256 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2007–08 || 2015–16 || {{Sort|08|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''9''' || Sporting Goa|| 8 || 178 || 62 || 57 || 59 || 241 || 249 || -8 || 243 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2007–08 || 2015–16 || {{Sort|09|3rd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''10''' || Pune|| 6 || 148 || 63 || 45 || 40 || 219 || 168 || 51 || 234 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2009–10 || 2014–15 || {{Sort|10|2nd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''11''' || Mumbai|| 9 || 204 || 53 || 72 || 79 || 219 || 281 || -62 || 231 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2008–09 || 2016–17 || {{Sort|11|5th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''12''' || '''Real Kashmir''' || 8 || 147 || 57 || 48 || 42 || 201 || 164 || 37 || 219 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 2018–19 || 2025–26|| {{Sort|12|3rd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''13''' || United || 6 || 150 || 48 || 55 || 47 || 202 || 200 || 2 || 199 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2008–09 || 2013–14 || {{Sort|13|4th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''14'''|| Punjab ''(including Minerva Punjab season records)''|| 7 || 127 || 52 || 35 || 40 || 170 || 149 || 21 || 191 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 2016–17|| 2022–23|| {{Sort|14|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''15'''|| Mohammedan || 6 || 125 || 49 || 34 || 42 || 174 || 161 || 13 || 181 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 2008–09|| 2023–24|| {{Sort|15|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''16'''|| '''Sreenidi Deccan'''|| 5 || 100 || 50 || 26 || 24 || 177 || 124 || 53 || 176 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 2021–22|| 2025–26|| {{Sort|16|2nd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''17''' || Indian Arrows || 9 || 178 || 38 || 43 || 97 || 143 || 287 || -144 || 157 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2010–11 || 2021–22|| {{Sort|17|8th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''18''' || Bengaluru || 4 || 78 || 42 || 20 || 16 || 131 || 79 || 52 || 146 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 2013–14 || 2016–17 || {{Sort|18|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''19'''|| NEROCA|| 7 || 132 || 38 || 30 || 64 || 155 || 211 || -56 || 144 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 2017–18|| 2023–24|| {{Sort|11|2nd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''20''' || Air India || 6 || 144 || 33 || 45 || 66 || 142 || 249 || -107 || 144 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2007–08 || 2012–13 || {{Sort|22|8th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''21''' || TRAU || 6 || 112 || 36 || 25 || 51 || 134 || 178 || -44 || 133 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2019–20 || 2023–24|| {{Sort|32|3rd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''22'''|| '''Rajasthan United'''|| 5 || 100 || 32 || 27 || 41 || 129 || 168 || -39 || 123 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2021–22|| 2025–26|| {{Sort|22|4th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;" | '''23'''|| JCT|| 4 || 92 || 29 || 27 || 36 || 93 || 100 || -7 || 114 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2007–08|| 2010–11|| {{Sort|23|3rd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''24'''|| Chennai City|| 5 || 85 || 31 || 21 || 33 || 112 || 126 || -14 || 114 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2016–17|| 2020–21|| {{Sort|24|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''25'''|| Mahindra United|| 3 || 66 || 25 || 25 || 16 || 97 || 69 || 28 || 100 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2007–08|| 2009–10|| {{Sort|25|4th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''26'''|| Viva Kerala|| 4 || 96 || 22 || 23 || 51 || 96 || 160 || -64 || 89 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2007–08|| 2011–12|| {{Sort|26|9th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;" | '''27''' || Inter Kashi || 2 || 46 || 23 || 14 || 9 || 90 || 72 || 18 || 83 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2023–24 || 2024–25 || {{Sort|27|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''28''' || '''Namdhari''' || 3 || 58 || 17 || 15 || 26 || 71 || 93 || -22 || 69 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2023–24 || 2025–26 || {{Sort|28|6th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''29''' || ONGC || 2 || 52 || 12 || 19 || 21 || 55 || 76 || -21 || 55 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2010–11 || 2012–13 || {{Sort|29|9th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''30''' || Sudeva Delhi || 3 || 48 || 13 || 13 || 22 || 42 || 60 || -18 || 52 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2020–21 || 2022–23|| {{Sort|30|8th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''31''' || Delhi || 2 || 46|| 14 || 7 || 25 || 65 || 84 || -17 || 49 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2023–24 || 2024–25 || {{Sort|31|6th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''32''' || DSK Shivajians || 2 || 34 || 7 || 12 || 15 || 38 || 55 || -17 || 33 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2015–16 || 2016–17 || {{Sort|32|7th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''33''' || HAL || 2 || 52 || 7 || 11 || 34 || 37 || 108 || -71 || 32 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2010–11 || 2011–12 || {{Sort|33|12th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''34'''|| Royal Wahingdoh|| 1 || 20 || 8 || 6 || 6 || 27 || 27 || 0 || 30 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2014–15|| 2014–15|| {{Sort|34|3rd}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''35''' || '''Diamond Harbour''' || 1 || 14 || 9 || 2 || 3 || 31 || 20 || 11 || 29 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2025–26|| 2025–26|| {{Sort|35|1st}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''36'''|| Kenkre|| 2 || 39 || 6 || 11 || 22 || 34 || 65 || -31 || 29 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2021–22|| 2022–23|| {{Sort|36|13th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''37'''|| Rangdajied United|| 1 || 24 || 6 || 7 || 11 || 29 || 38 || -9 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2013–14|| 2013–14|| {{Sort|37|11th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;" | '''38''' || Sporting Bengaluru || 1 || 22 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 24 || 42 || -18 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2024–25|| 2024–25|| {{Sort|38|11th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;" | '''39'''|| Kalyani Bharat|| 1 || 20 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 13 || 28 || -15 || 18 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2014–15|| 2014–15|| {{Sort|39|11th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;" | '''40''' || '''Chanmari''' || 1 || 14 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 19 || 25 || -6 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2025–26|| 2025–26|| {{Sort|40|5th}}
|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;" | '''41'''|| United Sikkim|| 1 || 26 || 2 || 9 || 15 || 23 || 63 || -40 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2012–13|| 2012–13|| {{Sort|41|14th}}
|- ="width:10px; background:#ffffff;" | '''42'''|| Vasco da Gama|| 1 || 22 || 2 || 4 || 16 || 14 || 49 || -35 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2008–09|| 2008–09|| {{Sort|42|12th}} |}
=== Clubs qualifying for I-League === {| class="wikitable" |+Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League !Season !Clubs |- |2013–14 |Bengaluru |- |2014–15 |Bharat |- |2015–16 |DSK Shivajians |- |2016–17 |Churchill Brothers, Chennai City, Minerva Punjab |- |2017–18 |Gokulam Kerala |- |2020–21 |Sudeva Delhi |- |2021–22 |Sreenidi Deccan |- |2023–24 |Inter Kashi, Namdhari |}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |+Promoted clubs from I-League 2 to I-League !Season !Clubs |- | align="center" | 2008 |Mumbai, Mohammedan, United, Vasco |- | align="center" | 2009 |Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Shillong Lajong, Pune |- | align="center" | 2010 |ONGC, HAL |- | align="center" | 2011 |Shillong Lajong, Sporting Goa |- | align="center" | 2012 |ONGC, United Sikkim |- | align="center" | 2013 |Rangdajied United, Mohammedan |- | align="center" | 2014 |Royal Wahingdoh |- | align="center" | 2015 |Aizawl |- | align="center" | 2015–16 |Dempo |- | align="center" | 2016–17 |NEROCA |- | align="center" | 2017–18 |Real Kashmir |- | align="center" | 2018–19 |TRAU |- | align="center" | 2020 |Mohammedan |- | align="center" | 2021 |Rajasthan United, Mumbai Kenkre |- | align="center" | 2022–23 |Delhi, Shillong Lajong |- | align="center" | 2023–24 |Sporting Bengaluru, Dempo |- | align="center" | 2024-25 |Diamond Harbour, Chanmari FC |}
=== Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |+Promoted clubs from I-League to Indian Super League !Season !Clubs |- | align="center" | 2022–23 |RoundGlass Punjab |- |2023���24 |Mohammedan |- |2024–25 |Inter Kashi |}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |+Relegated clubs from I-League to I-League 2 !Season !Clubs |- ||2007–08 |Viva Kerala, Salgaocar |- ||2008–09 |Mohammedan, Vasco |- ||2009–10 |Sporting Clube de Goa, Shillong Lajong |- ||2010–11 |JCT, ONGC |- ||2011–12 |Viva Kerala, HAL |- ||2012–13 |Air India, United Sikkim |- ||2013–14 |Mohammedan |- ||2014–15 |Dempo |- ||2015–16 |None{{efn|name=fn2|Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League due to withdrawal of 3 Goan clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/i-league-2016-17-aizawl-fc-reinstated-after-relegated-last-season-salgaocar-fc-opt-out |title=I-League 2016/17: Aizawl FC reinstated after getting relegated last season, Salgaocar FC opt out |date=26 September 2016 |work=sportskeeda.com |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817055844/https://m.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/i-league-2016-17-aizawl-fc-reinstated-after-relegated-last-season-salgaocar-fc-opt-out |url-status=live }}</ref>}} |- ||2016–17 |Mumbai |- ||2017–18 |None{{efn|name=fn3|Churchill Brothers SC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after the appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/aiff-reinstates-churchill-brothers-in-i-league/articleshow/65882043.cms|title=AIFF reinstates Churchill Brothers in I-League|website=The Times of India |date=20 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=18 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118202531/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/aiff-reinstates-churchill-brothers-in-i-league/articleshow/65882043.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |- ||2018–19 |Shillong Lajong |- |2019–20 |None{{efn|name=fn4|Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after inclusion of two I-League clubs to Indian Super League}} |- |2020–21 |None{{efn|name=fn5|NEROCA FC were relegated but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|date=29 April 2021|website=The Times of India|access-date=20 July 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430193943/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |- |2021–22 |None{{efn|name=fn6|Mumbai Kenkre FC were relegated but were reinstated after the closure of the Indian Arrows project.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=AIFF set to ban foreign players from lower leagues |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/aiff-set-to-ban-foreign-players-from-lower-leagues/articleshow/94490651.cms |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=twitter.com |language=en |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222172303/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/aiff-set-to-ban-foreign-players-from-lower-leagues/articleshow/94490651.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>}} |- |2022–23 |Mumbai Kenkre, Sudeva Delhi |- |2023–24 |NEROCA, TRAU |- |2024–25 |Delhi, Sporting Bengaluru |}
=== Timeline === <timeline> DateFormat = yyyy ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 Period = from:2007 till:2026 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom PlotArea = right:70 left:0 bottom:75 top:0 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
Colors = id:line value:pink id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:League_member id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Former_member id:Future value:rgb(0.5,0.7,0.95) legend:Future_member id:Other value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) legend:Other_leagues
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:S
bar:1 color:Full from:2007 till:2014 text: Churchill Brothers (2007–2014) bar:1 color:Full from:2016 till:end text: Churchill Brothers (2016–present)
bar:2 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: Mohun Bagan (2007–2020) bar:2 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL
bar:3 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: East Bengal (2007–2020) bar:3 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL
bar:4 color:Full from:2007 till:2016 text: Dempo (2007–2016) bar:4 color:Other from:2016 till:2022 text: Goa Pro League bar:4 color:Other from:2022 till:2024 text: IL-2 bar:4 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Dempo (2024–present)
bar:5 color:Former from:2007 till:2008: text: [(i)] bar:5 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:5 color:Former from:2009 till:2016 text: [(ii)] Salgaocar •(i) (2007–2008) •(ii) (2009-2016) bar:5 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League
bar:6 color:Former from:2007 till:2016 text: Sporting Goa (2007–2016) bar:6 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League bar:7 color:Former from:2007 till:2013 text: Air India (2007–2013) bar:7 color:Other from:2013 till:end text: Mumbai Football League
bar:8 color:Former from:2007 till:2011 text: JCT (2007–2011)
bar:9 color:Former from:2007 till:2010 text: Mahindra United (2007–2010)
bar:10 color:Former from:2007 till:2012 text: Viva Kerala (2007–2012)
bar:11 color:Former from:2008 till:2017 text: Mumbai (2008-2017) bar:11 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2
bar:12 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Former from:2008 till:2014 text: United SC(2008–2014) bar:12 color:Other from:2014 till:2015 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Other from:2015 till:2022 text: Calcutta Football League
bar:13 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:13 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text: [(iii)] bar:13 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2 •(iii) Mohammedan (2008–2009) bar:13 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: [(iv)] bar:13 color:Other from:2014 till:2020 text: IL-2 •(iv) Mohammedan (2013–2014) bar:13 color:Former from:2020 till:2024 text: Mohammedan (2020–2024) bar:13 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: ISL
bar:14 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:14 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text: [(v)] bar:14 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2 bar:14 color:Other from:2010 till:end text: Goa Pro League •(v) Vasco (2008-2009)
bar:15 color:Other from:2007 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:15 color:Former from:2009 till:2015 text: Pune (2009-15)
bar:16 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:16 color:Full from:2009 till:2019 text: Shillong Lajong (2009-2019) bar:16 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Shillong Lajong (2023–present) bar:16 color:Other from:2019 till:2022 text: Shillong Premier League bar:16 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2
bar:17 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text:AIFF XI/Pailan Arrows (2010-2013) bar:17 color:Former from:2017 till:2022 text: Indian Arrows (2017-2022)
bar:18 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text: ONGC (2010-2013) bar:18 color:Other from:2007 till:2010 text: IL-2
bar:19 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:19 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2 bar:19 color:Former from:2010 till:2012 text: HAL (2010-2012) bar:19 color:Other from:2012 till:end text: Bangalore Super Division
bar:20 color:Former from:2012 till:2013 text: [(vi)] bar:20 color:Other from:2010 till:2012 text: IL-2 bar:20 color:Other from:2013 till:2014 text: IL-2 bar:20 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Sikkim Premier League •(vi) United Sikkim (2012-2013)
bar:21 color:Other from:2017 till:end text: ISL bar:21 color: Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Bengaluru (2013-2017)
bar:22 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2 bar:22 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: [(vii)] bar:22 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Shillong Premier League •(vii) Rangdajied United (2013-2014)
bar:23 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Royal Wahingdoh (2014-2015) bar:23 color:Other from:2010 till:2014 text: IL-2
bar:24 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Bharat (2014-2015)
bar:25 color:Other from:2007 till:2011 text: Mizoram Premier League bar:25 color:Other from:2011 till:2015 text: IL-2 bar:25 color:Full from:2015 till:end text: Aizawl (2015–present)
bar:26 color:Former from:2015 till:2017 text: DSK Shivajians (2015-2017) bar:26 color:Other from:2007 till:2013 text: Pune Football League bar:26 color:Other from:2012 till:2013 text: IL-2 bar:27 color:Other from:2015 till:2016 text: IL-2 bar:27 color:Former from:2016 till:2020 text: Minerva Punjab (2016-2020) bar:27 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: RoundGlass Punjab (2020-2023) bar:27 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: ISL
bar:28 color:Former from:2016 till:2021 text: Chennai City (2016-2021)
bar:29 color:Full from:2017 till:end text: Gokulam (2017–present)
bar:30 color:Other from:2015 till:2017 text: IL-2 bar:30 color:Former from:2017 till:2024 text: NEROCA (2017–2024) bar:30 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2 bar:31 color:Full from:2018 till:end text: Real Kashmir (2018–present) bar:31 color:Other from:2016 till:2018 text: IL-2
bar:32 color:Other from:2017 till:2019 text: IL-2 bar:32 color:Former from:2019 till:2024 text: TRAU (2019–2024) bar:32 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2
bar:33 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League bar:33 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: Sudeva Delhi (2020-2023) bar:33 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: IL-2
bar:34 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Sreenidi Deccan (2021–present)
bar:35 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Rajasthan United (2021–present) bar:35 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2
bar:36 color:Former from:2021 till:2023 text: Kenkre (2021-2023) bar:36 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-2 bar:36 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-3 bar:36 color:Other from:2010 till:2017 text: IL-2 bar:36 color:Other from:2017 till:2021 text: Mumbai Football League bar:36 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2
bar:37 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League bar:37 color:Other from:2020 till:2023 text: IL-2 bar:37 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Delhi (2023–present)
bar:38 color:Former from:2023 till:2025 text: Inter Kashi (2023–2025) bar:38 color:Other from:2025 till:end text: ISL
bar:39 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Namdhari (2023–present)
bar:40 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-3 IL-2 bar:40 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Sporting Bengaluru (2024-present)
bar:41 color:Other from:2022 till:2024 text: CFL bar:41 color:Other from:2024 till:2025 text: IL-3 IL-2 bar:41 color:Full from:2025 till:end text: Diamond Harbour (2025-present)
bar:42 color:Other from:2007 till:2015 text: Mizoram Premier League bar:42 color:Other from:2015 till:2016 text: IL-2 bar:42 color:Other from:2016 till:2025 text: Mizoram Premier League bar:42 color:Full from:2025 till:end text: Chanmari (2025-present)
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2007 TextData = fontsize:L textcolor:black pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center) text: </timeline>
== Sponsorship == Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ''ONGC I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=ONGC Agrees To Sponsor The I-League |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/08/26/1461617/ongc-agrees-to-sponsor-the-i-league |website=Goal.com |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302021032/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/08/26/1461617/ongc-agrees-to-sponsor-the-i-league |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Santikari |first1=Soumalya |title=All India Football Federation wants to jazz up I-League from next season |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/aiff-wants-to-jazz-up-i-league-from-next-season-90429-2012-01-20 |website=India Today |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716204406/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aiff-wants-to-jazz-up-i-league-from-next-season/1/169948.html |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the ''Airtel I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF signs up Airtel for new I-League season |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4630/soccerex/2013/09/24/4285010/aiff-signs-up-airtel-for-new-i-league-season |website=Goal.com |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302021028/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4630/soccerex/2013/09/24/4285010/aiff-signs-up-airtel-for-new-i-league-season |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has ''Hero I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://i-league.org/hero-i-leagues-1st-kolkata-derby-on-jan-25/ |title=Hero I-League's 1st Kolkata Derby on Jan 25 |date=28 December 2014 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162300/http://i-league.org/hero-i-leagues-1st-kolkata-derby-on-jan-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://khelnow.com/football/2023-09-indian-football-hero-motocorp-pull-out-sponsorship|title=Hero MotoCorp pulls out of ISL & Indian football sponsorship |date=12 September 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023|website= Khelnow.com}}</ref> Following the rebranding of the league from I-League to Indian Football League (IFL) in 2026, Star Cement became the title sponsor of the league.<ref name="Star Title sponsor">{{cite web |title=Indian Football League lays a strong foundation for the future with Star Cement |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-league-lays-a-strong-foundation-for-the-future-with-star-cement |publisher=All India Football Federation |access-date=11 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311152228/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-league-lays-a-strong-foundation-for-the-future-with-star-cement |archive-date=11 March 2026 |date=11 March 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" |- |+ Title sponsors ! scope="col" |Period ! Title sponsor ! Brand |- ! scope=row|2007–2011 | ONGC | ONGC I-League |- ! scope=row|2011–2013 | No sponsor | I-League |- ! scope=row|2013–2014 | Airtel | Airtel I-League |- ! scope=row|2014–2023 | Hero | Hero I-League |- ! scope=row|2023–2025 | No sponsor | I-League |- ! scope=row|2026– | Star Cement | Star Cement Indian Football League |}
== Media coverage == {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" |- |+ Broadcasting partners ! Period ! TV telecast ! Online streaming |- ! scope=row|2007–2010 | Zee Sports | — |- ! scope=row|2010–2017 | Ten Action, Ten Sports | DittoTV |- ! scope=row|2017–2019 | Star Sports | Hotstar, JioTV |- ! scope=row|2019–2022 | 1Sports | Facebook, JioTV |- ! scope=row|2022–2023 | Eurosport, DD Sports | Discovery plus |- ! scope=row|2023–2024 | Eurosport | FanCode |- ! scope=row|2024–2025 | Sony Sports<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Neeladri |date=2024-11-23 |title=Sony Sports to broadcast upcoming rounds of I-League 2024-25: Shrachi MD Rahul Todi |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-2024-25-tv-channel-sony-to-broadcast-upcoming-rounds-shrachi-sports-app-indian-football-news/article68903302.ece |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}</ref> | {{URL|https://ssen.co/|SSEN}} |- ! scope=row|2026–present | DD Sports, Sony Sports | Waves, SonyLIV |}
== Coaches == The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint technical or sporting directors as well as manager-style coaches.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs">{{cite web |title=AIFF is set to act strict |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140509/jsp/sports/story_18323654.jsp#.U7BZY41dUU8 |website=Telegraph India |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613073330/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140509/jsp/sports/story_18323654.jsp#.U7BZY41dUU8 |archive-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh and Bimal Ghosh were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs" /> This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs" />
Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs"/> On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.<ref>{{cite news |title=A-Licence degree must for technical directors: AIFF |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/A-Licence-degree-must-for-technical-directors-AIFF/articleshow/35120576.cms |website=Times of India |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154535/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/A-Licence-degree-must-for-technical-directors-AIFF/articleshow/35120576.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League: Don't Let The Players Go – Zoran Djordjevic |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/04/20/1218789/i-league-dont-let-the-players-go-zoran-djordjevic |website=Goal.com |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103933/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/04/20/1218789/i-league-dont-let-the-players-go-zoran-djordjevic |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF suspends Ashley Bengaluru FC coach banned for 4 matches and fined Rs 50,000 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140424/jsp/sports/story_18273052.jsp#.U7BggI1dUU8 |website=Telegraph India |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605151614/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140424/jsp/sports/story_18273052.jsp#.U7BggI1dUU8 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.
Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Majumdar |first1=Samya |title=East Bengal Should Continue With Armando Colaco Next Season |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/east-bengal-should-continue-with-armando-colaco-next-season/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723035711/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/east-bengal-should-continue-with-armando-colaco-next-season/ |archive-date=23 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Khogen Singh is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bhutani |first1=Rahul |title=Churchill Brothers – Defending I-League Champions Stare At A Possible Relegation |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/churchill-brothers-defending-i-league-champions-stare-at-a-possible-relegation/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722210416/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/churchill-brothers-defending-i-league-champions-stare-at-a-possible-relegation/ |archive-date=22 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- |+ Current coaches in the I-League |- !Nat. !Name !Club !Appointed !Time since appointment |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || R.Lalruatfela ||Aizawl || {{dts|format=dmy|2026|2|27}} || {{ayd|2026|2|27}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|ESP}}}} || Dimitris Dimotriou || Gokulam Kerala || {{dts|format=dmy|2025|06|06}} || {{ayd|2025|06|06}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|Cyprus}}}} || none || Churchill Brothers || {{dts|format=dmy|2024|10|25}} || {{ayd|2024|10|25}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Samir Naik || Dempo || {{dts|format=dmy|2017|07|01}} || {{ayd|2017|07|01}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Carlos Vaz Pinto || Sreenidi Deccan || {{dts|format=dmy|2025|1|28}} || {{ayd|2025|1|28}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Vikas Rawat || Rajasthan United || {{dts|format=dmy|2025|3|12}} || {{ayd|2025|3|12}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Bibendra Thapa || Shillong Lajong || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|9|16}} || {{ayd|2022|9|16}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Ishfaq Ahmed || Real Kashmir || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|27}} || {{ayd|2022|10|27}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||Harpreet Singh||Namdhari || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|11|25}}|| {{ayd|2023|11|25}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|ESP}}}}||Kibu Vicuña||Diamond Harbour || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|02|23}}|| {{ayd|2023|02|23}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||Dipankur Sharma||Chanmari || {{dts|format=dmy|2025|01|06}}|| {{ayd|2025|01|06}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||Yan Law||Delhi || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|06|25}}|| {{ayd|2023|06|25}} |- |{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||Chinta Chandrashekar Rao||Sporting Bengaluru || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|04|01}}|| {{ayd|2023|04|01}} |}
[[File:Zico.jpg|thumb|Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.|alt=The torso and head of a grey-haired white man in a football stadium. He is wearing spectacles and a black coat.|220x220px]] {| class="wikitable" |- |+ Winning head coaches |- !Head coach !Wins !Winning year(s) !Team |- |{{flagicon|IND}} Armando Colaco |rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|3 |2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 |Dempo |- |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ashley Westwood |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2 |2013–14, 2015–16 |Bengaluru |- |{{flagicon|ITA}} Vincenzo Alberto Annese |2020–21, 2021–22 |Gokulam Kerala |- |{{flagicon|GRE}} Staikos Vergetis |rowspan="11" style="text-align:center"|1 |2022–23 |RoundGlass Punjab |- |{{flagicon|ESP}} Kibu Vicuña |2019–20 |Mohun Bagan |- |{{flagicon|SIN}} Akbar Nawas |2018–19 |Chennai City |- |{{flagicon|IND}} Khogen Singh |2017–18 |Minerva Punjab |- |{{flagicon|IND}} Khalid Jamil |2016–17 |Aizawl |- |{{flagicon|IND}} Sanjoy Sen |2014–15 |Mohun Bagan |- |{{flagicon|IND}} Mariano Dias |2012–13 |Churchill Brothers |- |{{flagicon|MAR}} Karim Bencherifa |2010–11 |Salgaocar |- |{{flagicon|SRB}} Zoran Đorđević |2008–09 |Churchill Brothers |- |{{flagicon|RUS}} Andrey Chernyshov |2023–24 |Mohammedan |- |{{flagicon|ESP}} Antonio López Habas |2024-25 |Inter Kashi |}
== Champions == {{Further-text|Indian football champions}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |- !Season !style="background:gold"|Champions !style="background:silver"|Runners-up !style="background:#c96"|Third place !Club |- | colspan="5" | '''Operated as First Division League''' |- | style="text-align:center"|2007–08 |'''Dempo''' |Churchill Brothers |JCT |10 |- | style="text-align:center"|2008–09 |'''Churchill Brothers''' |Mohun Bagan |Sporting Goa |12 |- | style="text-align:center"|2009–10 |'''Dempo''' |Churchill Brothers |Pune | rowspan="4" |14 |- | style="text-align:center"|2010–11 |'''Salgaocar''' | rowspan="2" |East Bengal |Dempo |- | style="text-align:center"|2011–12 |'''Dempo''' |Churchill Brothers |- | style="text-align:center"|2012–13 |'''Churchill Brothers''' |Pune |East Bengal |- | style="text-align:center"|2013–14 |'''Bengaluru''' |East Bengal |Salgaocar |13 |- | style="text-align:center"|2014–15 |'''Mohun Bagan''' |Bengaluru |Royal Wahingdoh |11 |- | style="text-align:center"|2015–16 |'''Bengaluru''' | rowspan="2" |Mohun Bagan | rowspan="2" |East Bengal |9 |- | style="text-align:center"|2016–17 |'''Aizawl''' |10 |- | colspan="5" | '''Operated as Joint First Division League with ISL''' |- | style="text-align:center"|2017–18 |'''Minerva Punjab''' |NEROCA |Mohun Bagan |10 |- | style="text-align:center"|2018–19 |'''Chennai City''' |East Bengal |Real Kashmir | rowspan="3" |11 |- | style="text-align:center"|2019–20 |'''Mohun Bagan''' | colspan="2"|''Not awarded''{{efn|name=fn7|Matches after 14th March 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions, having enough point difference between the second-placed club.<ref name="SS1">{{cite news |last1=Sharma|first1=Amitabha Das|title=No relegation, no individual prize money in I-League 2019-20 |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/i-league-2019-20-cancelled-aiff-approval-mohun-bagan-east-bengal-gokulam-kerala-relagtion-indian-football-news-covid-19-coronavirus/article31394211.ece |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu |date=21 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627195952/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/i-league-2019-20-cancelled-aiff-approval-mohun-bagan-east-bengal-gokulam-kerala-relagtion-indian-football-news-covid-19-coronavirus/article31394211.ece|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |- |2020–21 | rowspan="2" |'''Gokulam Kerala''' |Churchill Brothers |TRAU |- |2021–22 |Mohammedan |Sreenidi Deccan |13 |- | colspan="5" | '''Designated as Second Division League''' |- |2022–23 |'''RoundGlass Punjab''' | rowspan="2" |Sreenidi Deccan | rowspan="2" |Gokulam Kerala |12 |- |2023–24 |'''Mohammedan''' |13 |- |2024–25 |'''Inter Kashi''' |Churchill Brothers |Real Kashmir |12 |- |2025–26 |'''Diamond Harbour''' |Shillong Lajong |Sreenidi Deccan |10 |}
== Performance by club == {| class="wikitable" ! Club !! Titles !! Runners-up !! Third place !! Winning season !! Runners-up season !! Third place season |- |Dempo |3 |0 |1 |2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 | |2010–11 |- |Churchill Brothers |2 |4 |1 |2008–09, 2012–13, |2007–08, 2009–10, 2020–21, 2024–25 |2011–12 |- |Mohun Bagan |2 |3 |1 |2014–15, 2019–20 |2008–09, 2015–16, 2016–17 |2017–18 |- |Bengaluru |2 |1 |0 |2013–14, 2015–16 |2014–15 | |- |Gokulam Kerala |2 |0 |2 |2020–21, 2021–22 | |2022–23, 2023–24 |- |Mohammedan |1 |1 |0 |2023–24 |2021–22 | |- |Salgaocar |1 |0 |1 |2010–11 | |2013–14 |- |Minerva Punjab |1 |0 |0 |2017–18 | | |- |Aizawl |1 |0 |0 |2016–17 | | |- |Chennai City |1 |0 |0 |2018–19 | | |- |RoundGlass Punjab |1 |0 |0 |2022–23 | | |- |Inter Kashi |1 |0 |0 |2024-25 | | |- |Diamond Harbour |1 |0 |0 |2025–26 | | |- |East Bengal |0 |4 |3 | |2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–19 |2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17 |- |Sreenidi Deccan |0 |2 |2 | |2022–23, 2023–24 |2021–22, 2025–26 |- |Pune |0 |1 |1 | |2012–13 |2009–10 |- |NEROCA |0 |1 |0 | |2017–18 | |- |Shillong Lajong |0 |1 |0 | |2025–26 | |- |Real Kashmir |0 |0 |2 | | |2018–19, 2024–25 |- |JCT |0 |0 |1 | | |2007–08 |- |Sporting Goa |0 |0 |1 | | |2008–09 |- |Royal Wahingdoh |0 |0 |1 | | |2014–15 |- |TRAU |0 |0 |1 | | |2020–21 |}
== Records and statistics == === Individual game highest attendance records === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Rank !Home !Score !Away !Attendance !Stadium !Date |- | align=center | 1 || Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–0 || East Bengal || align=center | 90,000||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2011|11|20}} |- | align=center | 2 || Mohun Bagan || align=center | 0–1 || East Bengal || align=center | 80,000||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2013|11|24}} |- | align=center | 3 || Mohun Bagan || align=center | 2–1 || East Bengal || align=center | 63,756 || Salt Lake Stadium || {{dts|format=dmy|2020|1|19}} |- | align=center | 4 || Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–1 || East Bengal || align=center | 63,342 || Salt Lake Stadium ||{{dts|format=dmy|2016|1|26}} |- | align=center | 5 || Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–0 || East Bengal || align=center | 57,780 || Salt Lake Stadium ||{{dts|format=dmy|2015|3|28}} |- |}
=== Seasonal statistics === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Season !! Total goals !! Matches played !! Average per game |- |2007–08 || 226 || 90 || 2.51<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2007–08 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2007-2008/regular-season/r5773/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325012248/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2007-2008/regular-season/r5773/ |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2008–09 || 318 || 132|| 2.41<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2008–09 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2008-2009/regular-season/r7539/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922000356/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2008-2009/regular-season/r7539/ |archive-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2009–10 || 486 || 182 || 2.67<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2009–10 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2009-2010/regular-season/r10302/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017013331/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2009-2010/regular-season/r10302/ |archive-date=17 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2010–11 || 489 || 182 || 2.69<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2010–11 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2010-2011/regular-season/r13090/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819155402/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2010-2011/regular-season/r13090/ |archive-date=19 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2011–12 || 521 || 182 || 2.88<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2011–12 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2011-2012/regular-season/r16043/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804012656/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2011-2012/regular-season/r16043/ |archive-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2012–13 || 530 || 182 || 2.91<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2012–13 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20122013/regular-season/r18294/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026025216/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20122013/regular-season/r18294/ |archive-date=26 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2013–14 || 402 || 156 || 2.47<ref name="2013 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2013–14 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724112126/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |archive-date=24 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2014–15 || 280 || 110 || 2.55<ref name="2014 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2014–15 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20142015/regular-season/r29929/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822031206/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20142015/regular-season/r29929/ |archive-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2015–16 || 186 || 72 || 2.58<ref name="2015 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2015–16 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20152016/regular-season/r33458/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=24 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425124252/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20152016/regular-season/r33458/ |archive-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2016–17 || 225 || 90 || 2.5<ref name="2016 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2016–17 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2017/regular-season/r35297/?ICID=PL_3N_01 |website=Soccerway |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904160308/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2017/regular-season/r35297/?ICID=PL_3N_01 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2017–18 || 204 || 90 || 2.27<ref name="2017 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2017–18 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2018/regular-season/r40849/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102610/https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2018/regular-season/r40849/ |archive-date=17 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2018–19 || 303 || 109 || 2.78 |- |2019–20 || 187 || 69{{efn|name=fn8|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the league was suspended and no individual prizes were awarded.<ref name="SS1"/> However, Aser Pierrick Dipanda of Minerva Punjab scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, Rochharzela of Aizawl scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian I-League Scoring Stats - 2019-20 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/indian-i-league |access-date=27 June 2020 |work=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627201933/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/indian-i-league|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> }} | 2.71 |- |2020–21 |216 |80 |2.7 |- |2021–22 |294 |114 |2.58 |- |2022–23 |360 |132 |2.73 |- |2023–24 |503 |156 |3.22 |}
=== Player transfer fees === ==== Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs ==== {| class="wikitable" ! Rank !! Player !! Fee !! Year !! Transfer out !! Transfer in !! Reference |- |1 |{{flagicon|NGA}} Uga Okpara |{{INRConvert|7|c}} |2009 |{{flagicon|NGA}} Enyimba |{{flagicon|IND}} East Bengal | |- |2 |{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafa Onyeka Okolie |{{INRConvert|3|C}} |2011 |{{flagicon|IND}} Mohun Bagan |{{flagicon|IND}} Churchill Brothers | |- |3 |{{flagicon|IND}} Lester Fernandez |{{INRConvert|20|l}} |2012 |{{flagicon|IND}} Pune |{{flagicon|IND}} Prayag United | |- |4 |{{flagicon|IND}} Ronaldo Oliveira |{{INRConvert|10|l}} |2019 |{{flagicon|IND}} Salgaocar |{{flagicon|IND}} East Bengal | |- |}
==== Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs ==== {| class="wikitable" ! Rank !! Player !! Fee !! Year !! Transfer out !! Transfer in !! Reference |- |1 |{{flagicon|UGA}} Khalid Aucho |{{INRConvert|4|C}} |2019 |{{flagicon|IND}} Churchill Brothers |{{flagicon|EGY}} Misr Lel Makkasa |<ref>{{cite news | url=https://kawowo.com/2019/07/07/uganda-cranes-midfielder-aucho-seals-deal-at-egyptian-top-flight-side/ | title=Uganda Cranes midfielder Aucho seals deal at Egyptian top flight side | first=David | last=Isabirye | date=7 July 2019 | publisher=Kawowo Sports | access-date=22 August 2019 | archive-date=17 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817105554/https://kawowo.com/2019/07/07/uganda-cranes-midfielder-aucho-seals-deal-at-egyptian-top-flight-side/ }}</ref> |- |2 |{{flagicon|IND}} Sunil Chhetri |{{INRConvert|1.14|C}} |2014 |{{flagicon|IND}} Bengaluru |{{flagicon|IND}} Mumbai City | |- |3 |{{flagicon|ESP}} Pedro Manzi |{{INRConvert|1|C}} |2020 |{{flagicon|IND}} Chennai City |{{flagicon|JPN}} Albirex Niigata | |- |4 |{{flagicon|IND}} Eugeneson Lyngdoh |{{INRConvert|90|l}} |2014 |{{flagicon|IND}} Bengaluru |{{flagicon|IND}} Pune City | |- |}
=== Top scorers === {{Main|I-League Golden Boot}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+I-League Golden Boot winners !scope="col"|Season !scope="col"|Player !scope="col"|Club !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref(s) |- |2007–08 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafa Onyeka Okolie |Churchill Brothers |style="text-align:center"|22 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11">{{cite web |title=From the history books |url=http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=1965 |website=The All Indian Football Federation |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717033518/http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=1965 |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2008–09 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafa Onyeka Okolie |Churchill Brothers |style="text-align:center"|26 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/> |- |2009–10 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafa Onyeka Okolie |Churchill Brothers |style="text-align:center"|22 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/> |- |2010–11 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |Dempo |style="text-align:center"|30 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/> |- |2011–12 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |Dempo |style="text-align:center"|32 |style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bera |first1=Kaustav |title=Ranti Martins bags a double as I-League 2011–12 top performers announced |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |website=Goal.com |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608053623/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2012–13 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |Prayag United |style="text-align:center"|27 |style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranti Martins voted Best Player of I-League 2012–13 |url=http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5019 |website=The All India Football Federation |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717051112/http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5019 |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |rowspan="3"|2013–14 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|IND}} Sunil Chhetri |Bengaluru FC |rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|14 |rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2013–14 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111112717/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |archive-date=11 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !scope="row"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Darryl Duffy |Salgaocar |- !scope="row"|{{flagicon|TRI}} Cornell Glen |Shillong Lajong |- |2014–15 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |East Bengal |style="text-align:center"|17 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2014 season"/> |- |2015–16 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |East Bengal |style="text-align:center"|12 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2015 season"/> |- |2016–17 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|CMR}} Aser Pierrick Dipanda |Shillong Lajong |style="text-align:center"|11 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2016 season"/> |- |2017–18 !scope="row"|{{flagicon|CMR}} Aser Pierrick Dipanda |Mohun Bagan |style="text-align:center"|13 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2017 season"/> |- |rowspan="2"|2018–19 !scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|URU}} Pedro Manzi |align="left"|Chennai City FC |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|21 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai City Crowned I-League 2018-19 Champions After Win Against Minerva Punjab |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254 |access-date=27 June 2020 |work=Press Trust of India (PTI) |publisher=NDTV |date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627200614/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> |- !scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|TRI}} Willis Plaza |align="left"|Churchill Brothers |- |2019–20 !{{NA}} |colspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''Not Awarded''{{efn|name=fn8}} |- |2020–21 !scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} Bidyashagar Singh |align="left"|TRAU FC |style="text-align:center"|12 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name=":0" /> |- |2021–22 !scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|TRI}} Marcus Joseph |align="left"|Mohammedan |style="text-align:center"|15 |style="text-align:center"| |- |2022–23 !scope=row align=left|{{flagicon|SVN}} Luka Majcen |align=left|RoundGlass Punjab |align=center|16 | |- |2023–24 !scope=row align=left|{{flagicon|ESP}} Álex Sánchez |align=left|Gokulam Kerala |align=center|19 | |- |2024-25 !scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|COL}} David Castañeda | align="left" |Sreenidi Deccan |style="text-align:center"|17 | |}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Indian top scorers !scope="col"|Season !scope="col"|Player !scope="col"|Club !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref(s) |- |2007–08 !scope="row"|Bhaichung Bhutia |Mohun Bagan |style="text-align:center"|9 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers">{{cite web |last1=Ghoshal |first1=Amoy |title=League: Sunil Chhetri two goals away from surpassing Bhaichung Bhutia's 17-year-old record |url=https://cricket.yahoo.com/news/league-sunil-chhetri-two-goals-114752578.html |website=Goal.com |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812090014/https://cricket.yahoo.com/news/league-sunil-chhetri-two-goals-114752578.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2008–09 !scope="row"|Sunil Chhetri |East Bengal |style="text-align:center"|9 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/> |- |2009–10 !scope="row"|Mohammed Rafi |Mahindra United |style="text-align:center"|13 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/> |- |2010–11 !scope="row"|Jeje Lalpekhlua |Indian Arrows |style="text-align:center"|13 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/> |- |2011–12 !scope="row"|Chinadorai Sabeeth |Pailan Arrows |style="text-align:center"|9 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/> |- |2012–13 !scope="row"|C. K. Vineeth |Prayag United |style="text-align:center"|7 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/> |- |2013–14 !scope="row"|Sunil Chhetri |Bengaluru |style="text-align:center"|14 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2013 season"/> |- |2014–15 !scope="row" align="left"|Thongkhosiem Haokip |align="left"|Pune |style="text-align:center"|7 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2014 season"/> |- |rowspan="2"|2015–16 !scope="row"|Sunil Chhetri |Bengaluru |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2015 season"/> |- !scope="row"|Sushil Kumar Singh |Mumbai |- |rowspan="2"|2016–17 !scope="row" align="left"|Sunil Chettri |align="left"|Bengaluru |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|7 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2016 season"/> |- !scope="row"|C. K. Vineeth |align="left"|Bengaluru |- |rowspan="2"|2017–18 !scope="row" align="left"|Abhijit Sarkar |align="left"|Indian Arrows |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2017 season" /> |- !scope="row" align="left"|Subhash Singh |align="left"|NEROCA |- |2018–19 !scope="row" align="left"|Jobby Justin |align="left"|East Bengal |style="text-align:center"|9 |style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian I-League Scoring Stats - 2019-20 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/season/2018/indian-i-league |access-date=26 July 2020 |work=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726083005/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/season/2018/indian-i-league|archive-date=26 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2019–20 !{{NA}} |colspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''Not Awarded''{{efn|name=fn8}} |- |2020–21 !scope="row" align="left"|Bidyashagar Singh |align="left"|TRAU |style="text-align:center"|12 |style="text-align:center"|<ref name=":0" /> |- |rowspan="2"|2021–22 !scope="row" align="left"|Thahir Zaman |align="left"|Gokulam Kerala |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| |- !scope="row" align="left"|Shubho Paul |align="left"|Sudeva Delhi |- |rowspan="2"|2022–23 !scope="row" align="left"|Seilenthang Lotjem |align="left"|Sudeva Delhi |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| |- !scope="row" align="left"|Samuel Kynshi |align="left"|Real Kashmir |- |2023–24 !scope="row" align="left"|Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia |align="left"|Aizawl |style="text-align:center"|15 |style="text-align:center"| |- |2024-25 !scope="row" align="left"|Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia |align="left"|Aizawl |style="text-align:center"|12 |style="text-align:center"| |}
== Awards == === The trophy === The I-League has been awarding the champion trophy since 2013, when Churchill Brothers won the league.<ref name="New Trophy">{{cite news |title=AIFF designs new trophy for I-League champions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/AIFF-designs-new-trophy-for-I-League-champions/articleshow/19912694.cms |website=Times of India |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154539/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/AIFF-designs-new-trophy-for-I-League-champions/articleshow/19912694.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues.<ref name="New Trophy"/> Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".<ref name="New Trophy"/>
=== Season awards === End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the Football Players' Association of India. Currently, the awards include Hero of the league, golden boot, golden glove, the best head coach (Syed Abdul Rahim Award), the best defender (Jarnail Singh Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league.
==== Hero of the League ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Player !Club |- |2016–17 |{{Flagicon|IND}} Sunil Chhetri |Bengaluru |- |2018–19 |{{Flagicon|ESP}} Pedro Manzi |Chennai City |- |2020–21 |{{Flagicon|IND}} Bidyashagar Singh |TRAU |- |2021–22 |{{Flagicon|TRI}} Marcus Joseph |Mohammedan |}
==== Syed Abdul Rahim Award ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Head coach !Club |- |2008–09<ref name="2009 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Booth |Mumbai |- |2009–10<ref name="2010 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Armando Colaco |Dempo |- |2010–11<ref name="2011 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|MAR}} Karim Bencherifa |Salgaocar |- |2011–12<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/> |{{flagicon|ENG}} Trevor Morgan |East Bengal |- |2012–13<ref name="2013 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Derrick Pereira |Pune |- |2013–14<ref name="2014 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ashley Westwood |Bengaluru |- |2014–15 |{{flagicon|IND}} Sanjoy Sen |Mohun Bagan |- |2015–16 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ashley Westwood |Bengaluru |- |2016–17 |{{flagicon|IND}} Khalid Jamil |Aizawl |- |2017–18<ref name="2017-18 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Gift Raikhan |NEROCA |- |2018–19<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Raja|date=2019-03-29|title=The 2018/19 I-League End of Season Awards {{!}} Sportsbeatsindia|url=https://sportsbeatsindia.com/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|access-date=2021-03-27|language=en-US|archive-date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620080529/https://sportsbeatsindia.com/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{Flagicon|SIN}} Akbar Nawas |Chennai City |- |2020–21<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=I-League 2020-21: List of Award Winners as TRAU FC Win Maximum Accolades|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-2020-21-list-of-award-winners-as-trau-fc-win-maximum-accolades-3581582.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=News18|date=27 March 2021 |language=en|archive-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327202502/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-2020-21-list-of-award-winners-as-trau-fc-win-maximum-accolades-3581582.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{Flagicon|IND}} L. Nandakumar Singh |TRAU |- |2021–22 |{{flagicon|ITA}} Vincenzo Alberto Annese |Gokulam Kerala |}
==== Emerging player of the season ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Player !Position !Club |- |2008–09<ref name="2009 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Baljit Sahni |Forward |JCT |- |2009–10<ref name="2010 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Joaquim Abranches |Forward |Dempo |- |2010–11<ref name="2011 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Jeje Lalpekhlua |Forward |Pailan Arrows |- |2011–12<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Manandeep Singh |Forward |Pailan Arrows |- |2012–13<ref name="2013 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Alwyn George |Midfielder |Pailan Arrows |- |2013–14<ref name="2014 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Alwyn George |Midfielder |Dempo |- |2015–16 |{{flagicon|IND}} Udanta Singh |Winger |Bengaluru |- |2016–17 |{{flagicon|IND}} Jerry Lalrinzuala |Left Back |DSK Shivajians |- |2017–18<ref name="2017-18 Awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/i-league-2017-18-minerva-punjab-presented-with-winners-trophy-nerocas-gift-raikhan-named-seasons-best-coach-4401551.html |title=I-League 2017–18: Minerva Punjab presented with winners' trophy; NEROCA's Gift Raikhan named season's best coach |date=22 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323220106/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/i-league-2017-18-minerva-punjab-presented-with-winners-trophy-nerocas-gift-raikhan-named-seasons-best-coach-4401551.html |archive-date=23 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|IND}} Samuel Lalmuanpuia |Midfielder |Shillong Lajong |- |2018–19<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=The 2018/19 I-League End of Season Awards|url=https://theawayend.co/2019/03/13/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=The Away End|language=en-GB|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231317/https://theawayend.co/2019/03/13/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{Flagicon|IND}} Phrangi Buam |Midfielder |Shillong Lajong |- |2020–21<ref name=":0" /> |{{Flagicon|IND}} Emil Benny |Forward |Gokulam Kerala |- |2021–22 |{{Flagicon|IND}} Jiteshwor Singh |Midfielder |NEROCA |}
==== Foreign player of the year ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Player !Position !Club |- |2008–09<ref name="2009 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=Chhetri Shines At First FPAI Awards Nite! |url=http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/1684648/ |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230107/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/1684648/ |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafe Onyeka Okolie |Forward |Churchill Brothers |- |2009–10<ref name="2010 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=FPAI Awards: Mohammed Rafi Bags The Best Indian Player, While Subrata Is Still The Fan's Favourite |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2010/09/13/2115689/fpai-awards-mohammed-rafi-bags-the-best-indian-player-while?ICID=AR_RA_1 |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103952/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2010/09/13/2115689/fpai-awards-mohammed-rafi-bags-the-best-indian-player-while?ICID=AR_RA_1 |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafe Onyeka Okolie |Forward |Churchill Brothers |- |2010–11<ref name="2011 Awards">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2011 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2011/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719172745/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2011%2F |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |{{flagicon|BRA}} Beto |Midfielder |Dempo |- |2011–12<ref name="2012 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Bera |first1=Kaustav |title=Ranti Martins bags a double as I-League 2011–12 top performers announced |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608053623/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |Forward |Dempo |- |2012–13<ref name="2013 Awards">{{cite news |last1=Marar |first1=Nandakumar |title=FPAI honours outstanding performers |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fpai-honours-outstanding-performers/article4747085.ece |website=The Hindu |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213026/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fpai-honours-outstanding-performers/article4747085.ece |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|NGA}} Ranti Martins |Forward |Prayag United |- |2013–14<ref name="2014 Awards">{{cite news |title=Westwood bags FPAI best coach award, PK lifetime achievement |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Westwood-bags-FPAI-best-coach-award-PK-lifetime-achievement/articleshow/34389027.cms |website=Times of India |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921014742/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Westwood-bags-FPAI-best-coach-award-PK-lifetime-achievement/articleshow/34389027.cms |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |{{flagicon|SCO}} Darryl Duffy |Forward |Salgaocar |}
==== Indian Player of the Season ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Player !Position !Club |- |2008–09<ref name="2009 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Sunil Chhetri |Forward |East Bengal |- |2009–10<ref name="2010 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Mohammed Rafi |Forward |Mahindra United |- |2010–11<ref name="2011 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Mehtab Hossain |Midfielder |East Bengal |- |2011–12<ref name="2012 Awards 2">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2012 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2012/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718193912/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2012%2F |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |{{flagicon|IND}} Syed Nabi |Defender |Mohun Bagan |- |2012–13<ref name="2013 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Lenny Rodrigues |Midfielder |Churchill Brothers |- |2013–14<ref name="2014 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Balwant Singh |Forward |Churchill Brothers |- |}
==== Fans' player of the year ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !Player !Position !Club |- |2008–09<ref name="2009 Awards 2">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2009 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2009/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718200203/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2009%2F |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |{{flagicon|NGA}} Odafe Onyeka Okolie |Forward |Churchill Brothers |- |2009–10<ref name="2010 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Subrata Pal |Goalkeeper |Pune |- |2010–11<ref name="2011 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Mehtab Hossain |Midfielder |East Bengal |- |2011–12<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Francis Fernandes |Midfielder |Salgaocar |- |2012–13<ref name="2013 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|AFG|2013}} Zohib Islam Amiri |Defender |Mumbai |- |2013–14<ref name="2014 Awards"/> |{{flagicon|IND}} Boithang Haokip |Midfielder |Shillong Lajong |}
== Clubs in Asia == {{Main|Indian football clubs in Asian competition}}
Traditionally, I-League clubs have done well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals, before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web |title=East Bengal's Golden Continental Run |url=http://www.goaldentimes.org/east-bengals-golden-continental-run/ |website=Goalden Times |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007104640/http://www.goaldentimes.org/east-bengals-golden-continental-run/ |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013, before being knocked-out by Al-Kuwait.<ref name="AFC Cup Loss East">{{cite web |title=Kuwait SC prove too good for East Bengal in AFC Cup SF |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/kuwait-sc-prove-too-good-for-east-bengal-in-afc-cup-semi-final/20131022.htm |website=Rediff |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717193012/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/kuwait-sc-prove-too-good-for-east-bengal-in-afc-cup-semi-final/20131022.htm |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bengaluru is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup final in 2016, losing to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.<ref name="Bengaluru FC first Indian club to reach AFC Cup final">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Bengaluru-FC-first-Indian-club-to-reach-AFC-Cup-final/articleshow/54942481.cms |title=Bengaluru FC first Indian club to reach AFC Cup final |work=The Times of India |date=19 October 2016 |agency=PTI |access-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023232505/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/bengaluru-fc-first-indian-club-to-reach-afc-cup-final/articleshow/54942481.cms |archive-date=23 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in the AFC Champions League, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bengaluru FC set sight on AFC Champions League qualification |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/223401-bengaluru-fc-set-sight-on-afc-champions-league-qualification |website=NDTV Sports |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716222744/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/223401-bengaluru-fc-set-sight-on-afc-champions-league-qualification |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Season !AFC Cup !Position !AFC Champions League !Position |- | rowspan=2 |2008–09 |Mohun Bagan | {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | rowspan=2 |Dempo | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}} |- |Dempo | style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Semi-finals}} |- | rowspan=2 |2009–10 |East Bengal |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | rowspan=2 |Churchill Brothers | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}} |- |Churchill Brothers |{{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}} |- | rowspan=2 |2010–11 |East Bengal |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | rowspan=2 |Dempo | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}} |- |Dempo |{{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}} |- | rowspan=2 |2011–12 |East Bengal |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | rowspan=2 |Salgaocar | rowspan=2 data-sort-value="1"|''DNP'' |- |Salgaocar |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |- | rowspan=2 |2012–13 |East Bengal | style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Semi-finals}} | rowspan=2 |Churchill Brothers | rowspan=2 data-sort-value="1"|''DNP'' |- |Churchill Brothers |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |- | rowspan=2 |2013–14 | Churchill Brothers | {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}} | rowspan=2 |Pune | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Qualifying Round 1}} |- |Pune |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |- | rowspan=2 |2014–15 |Bengaluru |{{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}} | rowspan=2 |Bengaluru | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 1}} |- |East Bengal |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |- | rowspan=2 |2015–16 |Mohun Bagan |{{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}} | rowspan=2 |Mohun Bagan | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}} |- |Bengaluru |style="background:silver;" {{Awards table sorting|Runners-up}} |- | rowspan=2 |2016–17 |Bengaluru | style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone finals}} | rowspan=2 |Bengaluru | rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}} |- |Mohun Bagan |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |- | rowspan="2" |2017–18 |Aizawl |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | rowspan="2" |Aizawl | rowspan="2" {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}} |- |Bengaluru |{{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone semi-finals}} |- |2019 |Minerva Punjab |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} |Minerva Punjab |{{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}} |- |2018–19 |Chennai City | data-sort-value="1"|''Cancelled'' |Chennai City |{{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 1}} |- |2019–20 |Mohun Bagan |{{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone semi-finals}} | | |- |2020–21 |Gokulam Kerala |{{Awards table sorting|Group stage}} | | |}
== See also == {{Portal bar|India|Association football}}
* Football in India * History of Indian football * List of football clubs in India * Indian club qualifiers for 2023–24 AFC competitions * IFA Shield * NFL Second Division * NFL Third Division
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == *{{official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170629213824/http://www.kolkatasports.com/ileague-2015-fixture.php "iLeague Fixtures"] – League Winner (archived 29 June 2017). Retrieved on 31 May 2015.
{{I-League}} {{AFC second leagues}} {{Football in India}} {{Portal bar|India|Association football|Sport}} {{Authority control}}
Category:I-League Category:Professional sports leagues in India Category:Football leagues in India Category:All India Football Federation competitions Category:2007 establishments in India Category:Sports leagues established in 2007 Category:Second-level domestic association football leagues in Asia