| File:I-League 3.svg | |
| Organising body | AIFF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 13 June 2023 (as I-League 3) |
| Country | India |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | I-League 2 |
| Relegation to | State leagues (provisionally) |
| League cup(s) | Durand Cup[lower-alpha 1] |
| Current champions | Diamond Harbour (1st title) |
| Most championships | Diamond Harbour Sporting Goa (1 title each) |
| TV partners | Indian Football, SportsKPI (online streaming) |
| Website | indianfootballleague.in |
| Current: 2025–26 | |
The I-League 3 is an Indian men's professional football league. It forms the fourth tier of the Indian football league system, below the Indian Football League 2 and above the State leagues.[1][2][3][4]
History[edit | edit source]
National Football League NFL3[edit | edit source]
The National Football League Third Division (NFL 3rd Division) was the men's third-tier of the Indian football league system from 2006 to 2007. Founded by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 2006, the NFL was the first third division football league in India to be organized on a national scale. The league was played from 25 November up to 18 December 2006 as a promotional tournament for Indian National Football League Second Division. Five teams were promoted to the second division.[5][6]. AIFF folded the league in 2007 after the first edition.
I-League 3[edit | edit source]
For the first time, the AIFF introduced qualifiers for the I-League 2 in the 2022–23 season.[7] On 13 June 2023, the AIFF league committee announced introducing a new league below the I-League 2, where champions of State leagues and nominated clubs will play. State FAs have to nominate a team before July 31.[8] The AIFF wants to create a competitive pyramid with a concrete progression pathway, aimed to allow even the smallest of clubs to get promoted to the higher divisions.
All-time clubs[edit | edit source]
| Currently in I-League 3 | |
| Currently in Indian Super League, Indian Football League or Indian Football League 2 | |
| Currently in State leagues | |
| Defunct clubs |
As of 2024[update]
Relegated to I-League 3[edit | edit source]
| Season | Clubs |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Kenkre, Maharashtra Oranje |
| 2024–25 | TRAU, KLASA |
Clubs promoted from I-League 3[edit | edit source]
| Season | Clubs |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Sporting Goa, Dempo, Sporting Bengaluru |
| 2024–25 | Diamond Harbour, Chanmari, SAT, KLASA |
| 2025–26 | Karbi Anglong Morning Star, MYJ–GMSC |
Results[edit | edit source]
- Source:[9]
| Season | Champions | Runners-up | No. of clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Sporting Goa | Dempo | 25 |
| 2024–25 | Diamond Harbour | Chanmari | 25 |
| 2025–26 | 20 |
Media coverage[edit | edit source]
| Period | TV telecast | Online streaming |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–present | YouTube[10] |
See also[edit | edit source]
- Football in India
- History of Indian football
- List of football clubs in India
- NFL Second Division
- NFL Third Division
- Santosh Trophy
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Participation via an invitation
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Five teams submit bids for direct Hero I-League entry". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ↑ "Record five bids for I-League; no ISL reserves in 2nd and 3rd divisions". Hindustan Times. 13 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ↑ https://indiasportshub.com/i-league-2-3-merger-for-2025-26-a-necessary-reset-for-indian-footballs-fragile-middle-tier/
- ↑ https://indianfootballleague.in/i-league-2-2025-26-to-begin-on-march-27/
- ↑ Arunava Chaudhary. "National Football League Third Division". indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021.
- ↑ "NFL Third Division 2006–07". RSSSF. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Triyasha (1 May 2023). "I-League: AIFF League Committee inflict 3-TIER BIDDING structure for DIRECT entry into I-League 2023-24- Check Out". Inside Sport India. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ↑ "AIFF League committee announce I-League direct entry bidders and revamped league structure for IWL". Khel Now. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ↑ "I-League 3 2023 — Final Standings (Play-off's)". the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ↑ "Where and How to watch 2023-24 I-League 3 Final Round?". khelnow.com. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
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