The All Indian Football Fereration (AIFF) which is the football governing body in the country has announced an updated schedule of the 2025-26 season. It is also intersting that the Indian Super League (ISL) the top tier male football league in India was not part of the calendar. The ISL was launched in 2014 as a franchise based league and became a top tier league via 2019 and is currently in 2020-21 season in the ISL into which it is operated by the FSDL. The Master Rights Agreement (MRA) which supports the league is set to expire in December 2022 and there has been no indication as to its renewal. As a result, the future of the ISL is uncertain currently.
AIFF Calandar For 2025-26 Season
Event | Start Date | End Date |
Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10-07-2025 | 31-07-2025 |
Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10-07-2025 | 31-07-2025 |
Durand Cup | 15-07-2025 | 23-08-2025 |
Super Cup/Federation Cup | 01-09-2025 | 20-09-2025 |
Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 | 10-08-2025 | 31-08-2025 |
Senior Women’s Group Stage | 01-09-2025 | 20-09-2025 |
AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18) | 01-09-2025 | 31-05-2026 |
Senior Women’s Final Round | 01-10-2025 | 15-10-2025 |
I-League 3 | 01-10-2025 | 30-11-2025 |
I-League | 19-10-2025 | 30-04-2026 |
Indian Women’s League | 25-10-2025 | 30-04-2026 |
Santosh Trophy Group Stage | 05-12-2025 | 20-12-2025 |
Santosh Trophy Final Round | 01-01-2026 | 20-01-2026 |
Indian Women’s League 2 | 25-01-2026 | 30-04-2026 |
Beach Soccer Championship | 01-02-2026 | 15-02-2026 |
Futsal Club Championship | 01-05-2026 | 20-05-2026 |
Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship | 01-04-2026 | 31-05-2026 |
Also Read: FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Full Squads And Fixtures For Todays Clash
Club Transfer Plans Disrupted As AIFF–ISL Standoff Delays Season Start
The stand off between AIFF and the ISL which leasted months even in the announcement if the very first date when the 2025-26 season starts has put at risk the transfer plans of several clubs who had hoped to get deals finalised in the domiestic transfer window. As per new developments by the AIFF the Durand Cup shall start the senior men season with the Super Cup to follow in the league calendae and not the final tournament of the year. The low attendance at the competition and the temptation of the clubs to play reserve ir youth teams mostly contributed to this scheduling decision.
Also Read: Will Lionel Messi Play Inter Miami Vs Porto Match? Here’s The Latest Update!