I-League 3
Fourth division men's association football league in India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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] which teams get promoted from through a nomination from the state board.
| |
| Organising body | AIFF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 13 June 2023 (as I-League 3) |
| Country | India |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | I-League 2 |
| Relegation to | State leagues (provisionally) |
| League cup | Durand Cup[a] |
| Current champions | Banaras Baghpat (1st title) |
| Most championships | Banaras Baghpat Diamond Harbour Sporting Goa (1 title each) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Indian Football SportsKPI (online streaming) |
| Website | indianfootballleague.in |
| Current: 2025–26 | |
History
National Football League NFL3
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
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
| Currently in I-League 3 | |
| Currently in Indian Super League, Indian Football League or I-League 2 | |
| Currently in State leagues | |
| Defunct clubs |
As of 2026[update]
Relegated to I-League 3
| Season | Clubs |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Kenkre, Maharashtra Oranje |
| 2024–25 | TRAU, KLASA |
Clubs promoted from I-League 3
| 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
- Source:[9]
| Season | Champions | Runners-up | No. of clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Sporting Goa | Dempo | 25 |
| 2024–25 | Diamond Harbour | Chanmari | 25 |
| 2025–26 | Banaras Baghpat | Raengdai | 19 |
Media coverage
See also
Notes
- Participation via an invitation