I-League: What is changing in the upcoming season of India’s 2nd Tier Football League?

I-League champions last season RoundGlass Punjab has qualified for ISL this season, whereas Sudeva Delhi and Kenkre FC are relegated. The two relegated clubs will be replaced by Delhi FC and Shillong Lajong from the second division.

But ahead of the new season, there will be a plethora of changes in the proceedings of the I-League. AIFF is aiming to make the league a much more compelling one, and looks set to make some interesting changes.

I-League to have 16 teams from 2023-24 season

The I-League is set to have an additional five teams from 2023-24 season. The AIFF decided to give direct entry to five new clubs that will be donning the I-League from the upcoming season.

It will definitely make the league much more exciting and a much-sustained commodity. Five corporates made bid for entry in the I-League, and AIFF has accepted entry of all of them.

“The five corporate bidders meet the criteria and tick all the boxes,” a senior AIFF official was quoted as saying by Times of India.

I-League Potential new clubs

The five new teams who will take part in the I-League are – Nimida United (owners of FC Bengaluru United), Namdhari Sports Academy (Ludhiana), Inter Kashi (YMS Finance), Concatenate Advest Advisory Pvt Ltd (planning to start a club in Delhi) and Bunkerhill Pvt Ltd (Ambala).

Bunkerhill will only be allowed to form a new club if they stay away from the deal to own majority stake at Mohammedan SC, who are already competing in the I-League.

I-League to have Two Zones

I-League will have 16 teams, but it is unlikely to have a traditional home-and-away format. AIFF has decided to lessen the financial and physical burden on the clubs and players, and aims to revamp the format.

According to sources, I-League clubs will be divided into two zones of eight clubs each. The teams in each group with play twice against the seven other teams in their zone. The top Four teams from each zone will advance to the playoffs.

I-League to have a neutral playoff venue

The I-League is also discussing a possible plan to play all the playoff matches at a neutral venue. The matches of the final stages of the league can be played at a single venue, and for the upcoming season, Maharastra’s Kolhapur, Nagaland’s Kohima are being considered as options to host the playoffs.