Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Indian Football League 2026-27 to start October 16
The Indian Football League (IFL) has announced that the 2026-27 season will start on October 16.
Clubs will be allowed to have a maximum of three foreign players in their starting line-up.
This is to give more playing time to local footballers.
The clubs have also agreed to join a program to improve their youth academies.
They need to have at least a two-star rating by the 2027-28 season and a three-star rating by 2030.
The previous season had 17.56 million live television viewers.
Most of the clubs attended a meeting to discuss these changes.
The Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season will start on October 16.
Clubs can field a maximum of three foreign players in the starting line-up.
Clubs must enroll in the AIFF Academy Accreditation Programme and achieve a minimum two-star rating by 2027-28.
The previous season had 17.56 million live television viewers.
Ten out of eleven clubs attended the Governing Council meeting.
- Who
- Indian Football League (IFL) Governing Council and All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- What
- Announcement of the start date and new regulations for the 2026-27 season
- When
- July 27, 2024
- Where
- Football House, New Delhi
- Why
- To provide more game time to local footballers and strengthen youth development
Foreign Player Limit
Youth Development
Foreign Player Limit
Foreign Player Limit
Clubs can field a maximum of three foreign players in the starting line-up to provide more game time to local footballers.
Youth Development
Clubs are encouraged to focus on youth development by enrolling in the AIFF Academy Accreditation Programme and upgrading their academies.
- Start Date
- October 16, 2026
- Foreign Player Limit
- 3 per starting line-up
- AIFF Academy Accreditation
- Minimum two-star by 2027-28, three-star by 2030
- Broadcast Viewers
- 17.56 million (2025-26 season)
- Meeting Attendance
- 10 out of 11 clubs