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{{Short description|Second division men's association football league in India}}
{| class="infobox football" style="width: 16em; text-align: center;"
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football league
| name = I-League
| image = AIFF I-League.svg
| pixels = 200
| organiser = ]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2007}} ''(as ''I-League''; succeeding the ])''
| country = India
| confed = ]
| teams = ]
| levels = ]
| promotion = ]
| relegation = ]
| domest_cup = ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIFF Executive Committee inducts five new clubs into Hero I-League, Federation Cup restored |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-executive-committee-inducts-five-new-clubs-into-hero-i-league-federation-cup-restored |website=the-aiff.com}}</ref> <br/> ]
| champions = ] (1st title)
| top_goalscorer = ] (214 goals)
| most_successful_club = ] (3 titles)
| tv = ] (TV) <br/> {{URL|https://ssen.co/|SSEN}} (Digital)
| website = {{URL|https://i-league.org/|i-league.org}}
| current = ]
}}

The '''I-League''' is the men's second professional ] division of the ] behind the ]. Administered by the ], it is currently contested by 12 clubs. It operates as a system of ] with the ] (ISL) and the ].<ref>{{Cite web|title= New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league|website=www.indiansuperleague.com|language=en}}</ref>

The competition was founded in 2007 as the successor to the ], with the first season starting in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i-league.org/about-us/history-of-i-league/ |title=History of I-League |publisher=AIFF |website=i-league.org |access-date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614150349/https://i-league.org/about-us/history-of-i-league/ |archive-date=14 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="AIFF2007">{{cite news |title=AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=Rediff |date=21 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042458/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the ].<ref name="AIFF2007"/> I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season.<ref name="AIFF2007"/>

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned ]. ] have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. ], ], ] and ] have won the league twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-brilliant-gokulam-kerala-fc-edge-past-mohammedan-sc-win-consecutive-i-league-titles|title=Brilliant Gokulam Kerala FC edge past Mohammedan SC to win historic consecutive I-League titles|website=www.sportskeeda.com|publisher=]|date=14 May 2022|access-date=15 May 2022|first=Sayantan|last=Guha|location=Kolkata, West Bengal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515124228/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-brilliant-gokulam-kerala-fc-edge-past-mohammedan-sc-win-consecutive-i-league-titles|archive-date=15 May 2022}}</ref> ], ], ], ], ] and ] have won it once.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League,<ref name=GoldenTimes>{{cite web |title=Indian National League (I-League) 2011–12 Season Review |url=http://www.goaldentimes.org/indian-national-league-i-league-2011-12-season-review/ |website=Goalden Times |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007072457/http://www.goaldentimes.org/indian-national-league-i-league-2011-12-season-review/ |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football.<ref name=GoldenTimes/> Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, ], went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=M.G. |title=The final whistle |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-indian-professional-football-club-fc-kochin-faces-closure-as-players-migrate/1/219886.html |website=India Today |date=6 May 2002 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717065437/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-indian-professional-football-club-fc-kochin-faces-closure-as-players-migrate/1/219886.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://ileague.in/history/ |website=ileague.in |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214408/http://ileague.in/history/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Formation ===
After the ] NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season.<ref name="I-League relaunched">{{cite web |title=AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |website=Rediff |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162341/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league.<ref name="I-League relaunched"/> ] (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Amin-ul Islam |first1=Mohammad |title=I-League partners ONGC cry foul |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-partners-ONGC-cry-foul/articleshow/2579593.cms |website=Times of India |date=28 November 2007 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928143611/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-partners-ONGC-cry-foul/articleshow/2579593.cms |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League Clubs have Too Many Foreigners: Bhutia |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/ILeague-Clubs-have-Too-Many-Foreigners-Bhutia/668120 |website=Outlook India |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716233754/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/ILeague-Clubs-have-Too-Many-Foreigners-Bhutia/668120 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zee Sports, AIFF ready with ONGC I-League |url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/print.php?id=1195724736 |website=Televisionpoint |access-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322125703/http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/print.php?id=1195724736 |archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref>

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].

=== The early seasons (2007–2012) ===
The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between ] and ]. The match, which took place at the ] in ], ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with ] scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dempo beat Salgaocar 3–0 with Chidi's brace |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/24/dempo-beat-salgaocar-3-0-with-chidis-brace-1195916716.html |website=ONE India |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717080112/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/24/dempo-beat-salgaocar-3-0-with-chidis-brace-1195916716.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League.<ref name="Hindu Dempo Champions 2007">{{cite news |title=Dempo SC is I-League champion |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/dempo-sc-is-ileague-champion/article3336931.ece |website=The Hindu |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162307/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/dempo-sc-is-ileague-champion/article3336931.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> ] and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Salgaocar, Viva Kerala relegated from I-League |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/salgaocar-viva-kerala-relegated-from-i-league_10018495.html |website=www.theindian.com |publisher=Tha Indian |date=17 February 2008| access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717185553/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/salgaocar-viva-kerala-relegated-from-i-league_10018495.html |archive-date=17 July 2014 |location=Margao, Goa|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. ], ], ], and ] were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible.<ref name="ILeague National Tournament">{{cite web |last1=Rajan |first1=P Sujesh |title=Is the I-League a national tournament? |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/is-the-ileague-a-national-tournament-/364621/ |website=Indian Express |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140717164438/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/is-the-ileague-a-national-tournament-/364621/ |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The ] season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities.<ref name="ILeague National Tournament"/> ], then captain of the ], said that it was the ] job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.<ref name="ILeague National Tournament"/>

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young Brothers outlast their elders |url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-996-0-0-0&sID=12633&articleID=8880625&news_task=DETAIL |website=FOX Sports |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720150848/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-996-0-0-0&sID=12633&articleID=8880625&news_task=DETAIL |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, before the ] season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, ], and ] were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League.<ref name="Telegraph India Nationals">{{cite web |title=Shillong's Lajong FC defy odds |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090419/jsp/sports/story_10842811.jsp |website=Telegraph India |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716173547/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090419/jsp/sports/story_10842811.jsp |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Telegraph India Nationals"/>

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.<ref name="Hindu Dempo Champions 2007"/>

==== Conflict of parties ====
On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with ] and ] of the United States.<ref name="IMG Deal 2010">{{cite news |title=AIFF signs 700-crore deal with IMG-RIL |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM |website=Times of India | date=9 December 2010 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530143649/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league.<ref name="IMG Deal 2010"/> This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF approaches Jindal, Videocon to sponsor I-League |url=http://topnews.in/sports/aiff-approaches-jindal-videocon-sponsor-i-league-214114 |website=Top News |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026065117/http://topnews.in/sports/aiff-approaches-jindal-videocon-sponsor-i-league-214114 |archive-date=26 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league.<ref name="Owners Meeting February 2011">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somnath |title=Indian Football : BREAKING NEWS (8th February, 2012) : I-League Clubs On War Path With AIFF? |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-breaking-news-8th-february-2012-i-league-clubs-on-war-path-with-aiff/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314133754/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-breaking-news-8th-february-2012-i-league-clubs-on-war-path-with-aiff/ |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting.<ref name="Owners Meeting February 2011"/> Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League.<ref name="TOI Clubs Refuse">{{cite news |title=I-League clubs refuse to accept AIFF diktat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/I-League-clubs-refuse-to-accept-AIFF-diktat/articleshow/11982740.cms |website=Times of India |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316032301/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/I-League-clubs-refuse-to-accept-AIFF-diktat/articleshow/11982740.cms |archive-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance.<ref name="TOI Clubs Refuse"/> At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as ] of the United States for the 2012–13 season.<ref name="TOI Clubs Refuse"/>

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – ] and ], it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the ''Indian Professional Football Clubs Association'' (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India.<ref name="Hindu March 2012">{{cite web |title=I-League club owners press for sustainable revenue model |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article2982415.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144740/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article2982415.ece |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Every club, except for ] and AIFF–owned ], joined the newly formed organization.<ref name="Hindu March 2012"/> Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.<ref name="AIFF IPFCA Non-Meeting">{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=AIFF and IMG-Reliance's 'Slack' behaviour results in no plan on Indian football being presented |url=http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3059078 |website=Goal.com |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314141014/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3059078 |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the ] and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, ], was also in attendance at this meeting.<ref name="IPFCA Ad hoc">{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=AFC president Zhang Jilong greeted with I-League clubs' absence |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/05/3081509/afc-president-zhang-jilong-greeted-with-i-league-clubs |website=Goal.com |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103939/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/05/3081509/afc-president-zhang-jilong-greeted-with-i-league-clubs |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.<ref name="IPFCA Ad hoc"/>

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.<ref name="IPFCA Society">{{cite web |title=IPFCA office bearers nominated |url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ipfca-office-bearers-nominated/ |website=SportsKeeda |date=16 June 2012 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716061923/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ipfca-office-bearers-nominated/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== League improvement ====
Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the ] in ] for the first time in 27 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=After 27 years, India bids to make mark on Asian Cup |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/595840/after-27-years-india-bids-to-make-mark-on-asian-cup |website=Dawn |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719002853/http://www.dawn.com/news/595840/after-27-years-india-bids-to-make-mark-on-asian-cup |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. ], of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subrata Pal the spiderman on trial in Germany |url=http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2012/07/17/subrata-pal-the-spiderman-on-trial-in-germany/ |website=Indian Football Network |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144327/http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2012/07/17/subrata-pal-the-spiderman-on-trial-in-germany/ |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, before the Asian Cup, ] became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the ] in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=KC Wizards sign Sunil Chhetri – will be first Indian player to play in MLS |url=http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-03-26-kc-wizards-sign-sunil-chhetri-will-be-first-indian-player-to-play-in-mls |website=The Original Winger |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314135603/http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-03-26-kc-wizards-sign-sunil-chhetri-will-be-first-indian-player-to-play-in-mls |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the ], between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the ] as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghoshal |first1=Amoy |title=Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal – Marines Go Second As Trevor Morgan Suffers First Derby Defeat |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal/1215860/report |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103930/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal/1215860/report |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of ] from the 2nd Division,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mangar |first1=Nirmal |title=United Sikkim enters I-League – Draw for Bhaichung boys |url=http://www.samachar.com/united-sikkim-enters-i-league-meseLqghgfc.html |website=Samachar |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716072158/http://www.samachar.com/united-sikkim-enters-i-league-meseLqghgfc.html |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Srivastava |first1=Ayush |title=Club management to blame for United Sikkim's relegation |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/22/3921495/club-management-to-blame-for-united-sikkims-relegation |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103956/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/22/3921495/club-management-to-blame-for-united-sikkims-relegation |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate ] were called for trials at ] side ] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri at Glasgow Rangers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Jeje-Lalpekhlua-Sunil-Chhetri-at-Glasgow-Rangers/articleshow/10886660.cms |website=Times of India |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020245/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Jeje-Lalpekhlua-Sunil-Chhetri-at-Glasgow-Rangers/articleshow/10886660.cms |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subrata Pal had trials at ] before finally signing for ] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Subrata Paul signs 6-month contract with FC Vikings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Subrata-Paul-signs-6-month-contract-with-FC-Vikings/articleshow/29618387.cms |website=Times of India |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154544/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Subrata-Paul-signs-6-month-contract-with-FC-Vikings/articleshow/29618387.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> And ] underwent trials at then ] side ] and finally signing for ], Norway in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gurpreet Singh Sandhu set for a trial cum training stint with Wigan Athletic |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/07/15/3243610/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-set-for-a-trial-cum-training-stint |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303102418/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/07/15/3243610/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-set-for-a-trial-cum-training-stint |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former ] player of the year and ] international ] signed with ] before the ] season from the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Carlos signs one year deal with Prayag United |url=http://www.indiansportsnews.com/top-stories/15302-carlos-signs-one-year-deal-with-prayag.html |website=Indian Sports News |date=27 June 2012 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314132919/http://www.indiansportsnews.com/top-stories/15302-carlos-signs-one-year-deal-with-prayag.html |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] international ] also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Srivastava |first1=Ayush |title=Lebanese defender Bilal Najjarin leaves Churchill Brothers |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/01/24/3697682/lebanese-defender-bilal-najjarin-leaves-churchill-brothers |website=Goal.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103935/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/01/24/3697682/lebanese-defender-bilal-najjarin-leaves-churchill-brothers |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Demotion to second tier ===
On 18 May 2016, ]–], along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives.<ref name="Meeting 2016">{{cite news|last1=Mergulhao|first1=Marcus|title=I-League is dead, long live the ISL: AIFF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-is-dead-long-live-the-ISL-AIFF/articleshow/52320019.cms|access-date=13 August 2017|work=]|date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012020309/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-is-dead-long-live-the-ISL-AIFF/articleshow/52320019.cms|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, ] and the ] had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a ] which would be acceptable for everyone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojha |first1=Chiranjit |title=REVEALED - AFC and FIFA's complete blueprint for re-structuring ISL, I-League and Indian football |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/14611-revealed--afc-and-fifas-complete-blueprint-for-re-structuring-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |website=The Fan Garage |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422111652/https://thefangarage.com/articles/14611-revealed--afc-and-fifas-complete-blueprint-for-re-structuring-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |url-status=live }}</ref> In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in ] in order to find a new way forward for Indian football.<ref name="Kuala Lampur">{{cite news|title=Still no consensus on ISL, I-League merger despite high-profile meet|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|access-date=13 August 2017|work=]|date=7 June 2017|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703151254/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League.<ref name="Kuala Lampur"/> A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the ], while the ] spot going to the ISL champions.<ref name="Recognition">{{cite news|title=ISL gets official recognition from AFC, becomes second national football league|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|access-date=13 August 2017|work=FirstPost|date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102044117/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the ].<ref>{{cite news|date=25 July 2017|title=AFC competitions committee's decisions published|work=The Asian Football Confederation|url=http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816010704/http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|archive-date=16 August 2017}}</ref>

On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General ], which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the ], the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojha |first1=Chiranjit |title=REVEALED: Inside the AFC-AIFF meeting that transformed ISL, I-League and Indian football |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/18145-revealed-inside-the-afc-aiff-meeting-that-transformed-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |website=The Fan Garage |date=14 October 2021 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531133432/https://thefangarage.com/articles/18145-revealed-inside-the-afc-aiff-meeting-that-transformed-isl-i-league-and-indian-football |url-status=live }}</ref> Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in ], in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVE INDIAN FOOTBALL ROADMAP |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap |website=The AIFF |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917202459/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-executive-committee-approve-indian-football-roadmap |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system.<ref>{{cite web |title=New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league |url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |website=Indian Super League |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=1 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101060825/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Competition format ==
Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed over the years. Currently, the league has 12 teams. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie then head-to-head record is looked upon. Further, in the case of a tie the goal difference is looked upon the tied teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=2015–16 Regulations |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/downloaddocumentlibrary.php?id=83 |website=The All India Football Federation |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221055142/https://www.the-aiff.com/downloaddocumentlibrary.php?id=83 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Clubs ==
A total of '''41''' clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2024-25 season.

=== Current clubs ===
{{Further|2024–25 I-League}}
{{Location map+
|India3
|float=right
|width=390
|caption=Locations of the I-League clubs
|places=

<!-- Aizawl FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=23.73 |long=92.72 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;position:relative;top:8px;">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Inter Kashi -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=25.318889 |long=83.012778 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Namdhari FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=30.88 |long=76.06 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=right}}

<!-- Shillong Lajong FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=25.58 |long=91.89 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;position">]</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Sreenidi Deccan FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=17.38 |long=78.49 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Rajasthan United FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=26.90 |long=75.80 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">]</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Delhi FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=28.61 |long=77.23 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=right}}

<!-- Goa Clubs -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=15.27 |long=73.96 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">{{nowrap|'''Goa'''}}</div>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}

<!-- DISPLAY OF GOA CLUBS -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=11.00 |long=85.00 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">'''{{nowrap|] clubs:}}'''<br/>
{{nowrap|]}}<br/>
{{nowrap|]}}<br/>
</div>|position=right}}

<!-- Gokulam Kerala FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=11.25 |long=75.77 |label= <div style="font-size:90%">]</div>|position=left}}

<!-- Real Kashmir FC -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=34.07 |long=74.82 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;">{{nowrap|]}}</div>|position=right}}

<!-- Sporting Bengaluru -->
{{Location map~ |India3 |lat=12.978889 |long=77.591667 |label= <div style="font-size:90%;">{{nowrap|]}}<br/></div>|position=right}}
}}

<section end="map" />

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: left; font-size"
|- |-
!Club
! style=""|I League
!State/UT
|-
!City
| style="" | ] '']''
!Stadium
!Capacity
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|20,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|5,000
|-
|]{{efn|The club is based in ] but will play its home games in ] due to the unavailability of stadiums.}}
|]
|]
|Mahilpur Football Stadium
|
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|5,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|50,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|20,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|1,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium
|3,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|11,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|5,000
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|1,500
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|8,400
|}

== All time clubs==
The following is a list of clubs that have played in the '''I-League''' at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in '''bold'''.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"| || I-League
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"| ||]
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"| || ]
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"| || ] & ]
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"| ||Defunct clubs
|-
| style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;"| ||Operational academies
|}

''{{As of|2024}}''
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|-
!Pos.
!Team
!{{Abbr|S|Season}}
!{{Abbr|P|Matches played}}
!{{Abbr|W|Won}}
!{{Abbr|D|Draw}}
!{{Abbr|L|Lost}}
!{{Abbr|GF|Goal for}}
!{{Abbr|GA|Goal against}}
!{{Abbr|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Abbr|Pts|Total points}}
!1st
!2nd
!3rd
!{{Tooltip|1st App|First appearance}}
!{{Tooltip|Last / Recent app|Recent season in I-League}}
!Highest finish

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''1''' || ''']''' || '''14''' || '''303''' || '''139''' || 83 || 81 || '''525''' || '''369''' || '''155''' || '''499''' || 2 || 3 || 2 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|02|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"
| '''2'''|| ] || 13 || 276 || 126 || 75 || 75 || 425 || 282 || 143 || 453 || 0 || '''4''' || '''3''' || ]|| ] || {{Sort|09|2nd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"
| '''3''' || ] || 13 || 276 || 126 || '''85''' || 65 || 430 || 301 || 129 || 451{{refn|group=|All points prior (12) to this match were deducted as they refused to play the second half of ] in the 2012-13 season. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/aiff-revoke-mohun-bagans-i-league-ban-but-deduct-12-points}}
| 2 || 3 || 1 || ]|| ] || {{Sort|04|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''4''' || ''']''' || 8 || 188 || 90 || 52 || 46 || 337 || 209 || 128 || 322 || '''3''' || 0 || 1 || ]|| ] || {{Sort|01|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;"
| '''5''' || ] || 8 || 182 || 70 || 46 || 66 || 258 || 229 || 29 || 256 || 1 || 0 || 1 || ] || ] || {{Sort|05|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''6''' || ''']''' || 10 || 218 || 61 || 63 || 94 || 256 || 353 || -97 || 246 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ] || {{Sort|19|5th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"
| '''7''' || ] || 8 || 178 || 62 || 57 || 59 || 241 || 249 || -8 || 243 || 0 || 0 || 1 || ] || ] || {{Sort|12|3rd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''9''' || ''']''' || 10 || 181 || 63 || 47 || 71 || 234 || 228 || 6 || 236 || 1 || 0 || 0 || ] || ]|| {{Sort|06|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''8''' || ] || 6 || 148 || 63 || 45 || 40 || 219 || 168 || 51 || 234 || 0 || 1 || 1 || ] || ] || {{Sort|10|2nd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''10''' || ] || 9 || 204 || 53 || 72 || 79 || 219 || 281 || -62 || 231 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|18|5th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''11'''|| ''']'''|| 7 || 132 || 61 || 30 || 41 || 218 || 155 || 60 || 213 || 2 || 0 || 1 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|21|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"
| '''12''' || ] || 6 || 150 || 48 || 55 || 47 || 202 || 200 || 2 || 199 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|17|4th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"
| '''13'''|| ] ''<sup>(including ] season records)</sup>''|| 7 || 127 || 52 || 35 || 40 || 170 || 149 || 21 || 191 || 2 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|08|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"
| '''14'''|| ] || 6 || 125 || 49 || 34 || 42 || 174 || 161 || 13 || 181 || 1 || 2 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|27|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''15''' || ''']''' || 6 || 113 || 43 || 39 || 31 || 150 || 121 || 29 || 168 || 0 || 0 || 1 || ] || ]|| {{Sort|14|3rd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''16''' || ] || 9 || 178 || 38 || 43 || '''97''' || 143 || 287 || -144 || 157 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ]|| {{Sort|23|8th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#c1ddfd;"
| '''17''' || ] || 4 || 78 || 42 || 20 || 16 || 131 || 79 || 52 || 146 || 2 || 1 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|03|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"
| '''18'''|| ]|| 7 || 132 || 38 || 30 || 64 || 155 || 211 || -56 || 144 || 0 || 1 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|11|2nd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"
| '''19''' || ] || 6 || 144 || 33 || 45 || 66 || 142 || 249 || -107 || 144 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|22|8th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"
| '''20''' || ] || 6 || 112 || 36 || 25 || 51 || 134 || 178 || -44 || 133 || 0 || 0 || 1 || ] || ]|| {{Sort|32|3rd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''21'''|| ''']'''|| 3 || 64 || 36 || 14 || 14 || 125 || 74 || 51 || 122 || 0 || 2 || 1 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|34|2nd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;"
| '''22'''|| ]|| 4 || 92 || 29 || 27 || 36 || 93 || 100 || -7 || 114 || 0 || 0 || 1 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|13|3rd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''23'''|| ]|| 5 || 85 || 31 || 21 || 33 || 112 || 126 || -14 || 114 || 1 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|07|1st}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''24'''|| ]|| 3 || 66 || 25 || 25 || 16 || 97 || 69 || 28 || 100 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|16|4th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''25'''|| ]|| 4 || 96 || 22 || 23 || 51 || 96 || 160 || -64 || 89 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|24|9th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''26'''|| ''']'''|| 3 || 64 || 18 || 18 || 28 || 75 || 111 || -36 || 72 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|36|6th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''27''' || ] || 2 || 52 || 12 || 19 || 21 || 55 || 76 || -21 || 55 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|25|9th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffcc;"
| '''28''' || ] || 3 || 48 || 13 || 13 || 22 || 42 || 60 || -18 || 52 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ]|| {{Sort|33|8th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''29''' || ''']''' || 1 || 24 || 11 || 8 || 5 || 47 || 41 || 6 || 41 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|37|4th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''30''' || ] || 2 || 34 || 7 || 12 || 15 || 38 || 55 || -17 || 33 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|20|7th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''31''' || ''']''' || 1 || 24 || 11 || 2 || 11 || 44 || 40 || 4 || 35 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|38|6th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"
| '''32''' || ] || 2 || 52 || 7 || 11 || 34 || 37 || 108 || -71 || 32 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|29|12th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''33'''|| ]|| 1 || 20 || 8 || 6 || 6 || 27 || 27 || 0 || 30 || 0 || 0 || 1 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|15|3rd}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"
| '''34'''|| ]|| 2 || 39 || 6 || 11 || 22 || 34 || 65 || -31 || 29 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|35|13th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''35''' || ''']''' || 1 || 24 || 7 || 6 || 11 || 29 || 40 || -11 || 27 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ] || ] || {{Sort|39|11th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"
| '''36'''|| ]|| 1 || 24 || 6 || 7 || 11 || 29 || 38 || -9 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|28|11th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#bbb;"
| '''37'''|| ]|| 1 || 20 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 13 || 28 || -15 || 18 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|26|11th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D7BDE2;"
| '''38'''|| ]|| 1 || 26 || 2 || 9 || 15 || 23 || 63 || -40 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|31|14th}}

|- ="width:10px; background:#ffffff;"
| '''39'''|| ]|| 1 || 22 || 2 || 4 || 16 || 14 || 49 || -35 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || ]|| ]|| {{Sort|30|12th}}

|- style="width:10px; background:#D0F0C0;"
| '''41''' || ''']''' || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || -
|}

=== Clubs qualifying for I-League ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League
!Season
!Clubs
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|], ], ]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|-
|]
|], ]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|+Promoted clubs from ] to I-League
!Season
!Clubs
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ], ], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ], ], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|-
| align="center" | ]
|], ]
|}

=== Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|+Promoted clubs from I-League to ]
!Season
!Clubs
|-
| align="center" | ]
|]
|-
|]
|]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|+Relegated clubs from I-League to ]
!Season
!Clubs
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|], ]
|-
||]
|]
|-
||]
|]
|-
||]
|None{{efn|name=fn1|Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to ] due to withdrawal of 3 Goan clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/i-league-2016-17-aizawl-fc-reinstated-after-relegated-last-season-salgaocar-fc-opt-out |title=I-League 2016/17: Aizawl FC reinstated after getting relegated last season, Salgaocar FC opt out |date=26 September 2016 |work=sportskeeda.com |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817055844/https://m.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/i-league-2016-17-aizawl-fc-reinstated-after-relegated-last-season-salgaocar-fc-opt-out |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
||]
|]
|-
||]
|None{{efn|name=fn2|Churchill Brothers SC were relegated, but reinstated to ] after the appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/aiff-reinstates-churchill-brothers-in-i-league/articleshow/65882043.cms|title=AIFF reinstates Churchill Brothers in I-League|website=] |date=20 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=18 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118202531/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/aiff-reinstates-churchill-brothers-in-i-league/articleshow/65882043.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
||]
|]
|-
|]
|None{{efn|name=fn3|] were relegated, but reinstated to ] after inclusion of two I-League clubs to ]}}
|-
|]
|None{{efn|name=fn4|] were relegated but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|date=29 April 2021|website=The Times of India|access-date=20 July 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430193943/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
|]
|None{{efn|name=fn5|] were relegated but were reinstated after the closure of the ] project.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=AIFF set to ban foreign players from lower leagues |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/aiff-set-to-ban-foreign-players-from-lower-leagues/articleshow/94490651.cms |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=twitter.com |language=en |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222172303/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/aiff-set-to-ban-foreign-players-from-lower-leagues/articleshow/94490651.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
|]
|], ]
|-
|]
|], ]
|}
{{Notelist}}

=== Timeline ===
<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:2007 till:2025
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
PlotArea = right:70 left:0 bottom:75 top:0 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#

Colors =
id:line value:pink
id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:League_member
id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Former_member
id:Future value:rgb(0.5,0.7,0.95) legend:Future_member
id:Other value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) legend:Other_leagues

PlotData=

width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:S

bar:1 color:Full from:2007 till:2014 text: Churchill Brothers (2007–2014)
bar:1 color:Full from:2016 till:end text: Churchill Brothers (2016–present)

bar:2 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: Mohun Bagan (2007–2020)
bar:2 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL

bar:3 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: East Bengal (2007–2020)
bar:3 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL

bar:4 color:Full from:2007 till:2016 text: Dempo (2007–2016)
bar:4 color:Other from:2016 till:2022 text: Goa Pro League
bar:4 color:Other from:2022 till:2024 text: IL-2
bar:4 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Dempo (2024–present)

bar:5 color:Former from:2007 till:2008: text:
bar:5 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2
bar:5 color:Former from:2009 till:2016 text: •(i) Salgaocar (2007–2008) •(ii) Salgaocar (2009-2016)
bar:5 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League

bar:6 color:Former from:2007 till:2016 text: Sporting Goa (2007–2016)
bar:6 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League
bar:7 color:Former from:2007 till:2013 text: Air India (2007–2013)
bar:7 color:Other from:2013 till:end text: Mumbai Football League

bar:8 color:Former from:2007 till:2011 text: JCT (2007–2011)

bar:9 color:Former from:2007 till:2010 text: Mahindra United (2007–2010)

bar:10 color:Former from:2007 till:2012 text: Viva Kerala (2007–2012)

bar:11 color:Former from:2008 till:2017 text: Mumbai (2008-2017)
bar:11 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2

bar:12 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2
bar:12 color:Former from:2008 till:2014 text: United SC(2008–2014)
bar:12 color:Other from:2014 till:2015 text: IL-2
bar:12 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2
bar:12 color:Other from:2015 till:2022 text: Calcutta Football League

bar:13 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2
bar:13 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text:
bar:13 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2 •(iii) Mohammedan (2008–2009)
bar:13 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text:
bar:13 color:Other from:2014 till:2020 text: IL-2 •(iv) Mohammedan (2013–2014)
bar:13 color:Former from:2020 till:2024 text: Mohammedan (2020–2024)
bar:13 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: ISL

bar:14 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2
bar:14 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text:
bar:14 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2
bar:14 color:Other from:2010 till:end text: Goa Pro League •(v) Vasco (2008-2009)

bar:15 color:Other from:2007 till:2009 text: IL-2
bar:15 color:Former from:2009 till:2015 text: Pune (2009-15)

bar:16 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2
bar:16 color:Full from:2009 till:2019 text: Shillong Lajong (2009-2019)
bar:16 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Shillong Lajong (2023–present)
bar:16 color:Other from:2019 till:2022 text: Shillong Premier League
bar:16 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2

bar:17 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text:AIFF XI/Pailan Arrows (2010-2013)
bar:17 color:Former from:2017 till:2022 text: Indian Arrows (2017-2022)

bar:18 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text: ONGC (2010-2013)
bar:18 color:Other from:2007 till:2010 text: IL-2

bar:19 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2
bar:19 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2
bar:19 color:Former from:2010 till:2012 text: HAL (2010-2012)
bar:19 color:Other from:2012 till:end text: Bangalore Super Division

bar:20 color:Former from:2012 till:2013 text:
bar:20 color:Other from:2010 till:2012 text: IL-2
bar:20 color:Other from:2013 till:2014 text: IL-2
bar:20 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Sikkim Premier League •(vi) United Sikkim (2012-2013)

bar:21 color:Other from:2017 till:end text: ISL
bar:21 color: Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Bengaluru (2013-2017)

bar:22 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2
bar:22 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text:
bar:22 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Shillong Premier League •(vii) Rangdajied United (2013-2014)

bar:23 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Royal Wahingdoh (2014-2015)
bar:23 color:Other from:2010 till:2014 text: IL-2

bar:24 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Bharat (2014-2015)

bar:25 color:Other from:2007 till:2011 text: Mizoram Premier League
bar:25 color:Other from:2011 till:2015 text: IL-2
bar:25 color:Full from:2015 till:end text: Aizawl (2015–present)

bar:26 color:Former from:2015 till:2017 text: DSK Shivajians (2015-2017)
bar:26 color:Other from:2007 till:2013 text: Pune Football League
bar:26 color:Other from:2012 till:2013 text: IL-2
bar:27 color:Other from:2015 till:2016 text: IL-2
bar:27 color:Former from:2016 till:2020 text: Minerva Punjab (2016-2020)
bar:27 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: RoundGlass Punjab (2020-2023)
bar:27 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: ISL

bar:28 color:Former from:2016 till:2021 text: Chennai City (2016-2021)

bar:29 color:Full from:2017 till:end text: Gokulam (2017–present)

bar:30 color:Other from:2015 till:2017 text: IL-2
bar:30 color:Former from:2017 till:2024 text: NEROCA (2017–2024)
bar:30 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2
bar:31 color:Full from:2018 till:end text: Real Kashmir (2018–present)
bar:31 color:Other from:2016 till:2018 text: IL-2

bar:32 color:Other from:2017 till:2019 text: IL-2
bar:32 color:Former from:2019 till:2024 text: TRAU (2019–2024)
bar:32 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2

bar:33 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League
bar:33 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: Sudeva Delhi (2020-2023)
bar:33 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: IL-2

bar:34 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Sreenidi Deccan (2021–present)

bar:35 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Rajasthan United (2021–present)
bar:35 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2

bar:36 color:Former from:2021 till:2023 text: Kenkre (2021-2023)
bar:36 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-2
bar:36 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-3
bar:36 color:Other from:2010 till:2017 text: IL-2
bar:36 color:Other from:2017 till:2021 text: Mumbai Football League
bar:36 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2

bar:37 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League
bar:37 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Delhi (2023–present)
bar:37 color:Other from:2020 till:2023 text: IL-2

bar:38 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Inter Kashi (2023–present)
bar:39 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Namdhari (2023–present)
bar:40 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-3 IL-2
bar:40 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Sporting Bengaluru (2024-present)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2007
TextData =
fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:
</timeline>

== Sponsorship ==
Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ], were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ''ONGC I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Rahul |title=ONGC Agrees To Sponsor The I-League |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/08/26/1461617/ongc-agrees-to-sponsor-the-i-league |website=Goal.com |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302021032/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/08/26/1461617/ongc-agrees-to-sponsor-the-i-league |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after the ] season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Santikari |first1=Soumalya |title=All India Football Federation wants to jazz up I-League from next season |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aiff-wants-to-jazz-up-i-league-from-next-season/1/169948.html |website=India Today |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716204406/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aiff-wants-to-jazz-up-i-league-from-next-season/1/169948.html |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 September 2013, it was announced that ]s company, ] would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the ''Airtel I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF signs up Airtel for new I-League season |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4630/soccerex/2013/09/24/4285010/aiff-signs-up-airtel-for-new-i-league-season |website=Goal.com |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302021028/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4630/soccerex/2013/09/24/4285010/aiff-signs-up-airtel-for-new-i-league-season |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2014, it was announced that ] would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has ''Hero I-League''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://i-league.org/hero-i-leagues-1st-kolkata-derby-on-jan-25/ |title=Hero I-League's 1st Kolkata Derby on Jan 25 |date=28 December 2014 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162300/http://i-league.org/hero-i-leagues-1st-kolkata-derby-on-jan-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after ] season.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://khelnow.com/football/2023-09-indian-football-hero-motocorp-pull-out-sponsorship|title=Hero MotoCorp pulls out of ISL & Indian football sponsorship |date=12 September 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023|website= Khelnow.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! Period
! Title sponsor
! Tournament name
|-
| 2007–11
| {{flagicon|IND}} ]
| ONGC I-League
|-
| 2011–13
| ''none''
| I-League
|-
| 2013–14
| {{flagicon|IND}} ]
| Airtel I-League
|-
| 2014–2023
| {{flagicon|IND}} ]
| Hero I-League
|-
| 2023–present
| ''none''
| I-League
|}

== Media coverage ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!Period
!TV telecast
!Online streaming
|-
|2007–10
|]
|
|-
|2010–17
|], ]
|]
|-
|2017–19
|]
|], ]
|- |-
|2019–22
| style="line-height: 15px;" | ]
|]
|], ]
|- |-
|2022–23
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Founded'''
|], ]
|]
|- |-
|2023–24
| style="" | ]
|]
|]
|- |-
|2024–present
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Nation'''
|]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Neeladri |date=2024-11-23 |title=Sony Sports to broadcast upcoming rounds of I-League 2024-25: Shrachi MD Rahul Todi |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/i-league-2024-25-tv-channel-sony-to-broadcast-upcoming-rounds-shrachi-sports-app-indian-football-news/article68903302.ece |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}</ref>
|{{URL|https://ssen.co/|SSEN}}
|}

== Coaches ==
The role of the ] in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint ] or ]s as well as ] coaches.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs">{{cite web |title=AIFF is set to act strict |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140509/jsp/sports/story_18323654.jsp#.U7BZY41dUU8 |website=Telegraph India |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613073330/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140509/jsp/sports/story_18323654.jsp#.U7BZY41dUU8 |archive-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an ] in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like ], ], ] and ] were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs" /> This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the ] season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs" />

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, ], as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma.<ref name="AIFF Strict TDs"/> On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.<ref>{{cite news |title=A-Licence degree must for technical directors: AIFF |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/A-Licence-degree-must-for-technical-directors-AIFF/articleshow/35120576.cms |website=Times of India |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154535/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/A-Licence-degree-must-for-technical-directors-AIFF/articleshow/35120576.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. ] of ] was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League: Don't Let The Players Go – Zoran Djordjevic |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/04/20/1218789/i-league-dont-let-the-players-go-zoran-djordjevic |website=Goal.com |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103933/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2009/04/20/1218789/i-league-dont-let-the-players-go-zoran-djordjevic |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF suspends Ashley Bengaluru FC coach banned for 4 matches and fined Rs 50,000 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140424/jsp/sports/story_18273052.jsp#.U7BggI1dUU8 |website=Telegraph India |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605151614/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140424/jsp/sports/story_18273052.jsp#.U7BggI1dUU8 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ] coach ] became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in ] and ] seasons.

] was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Majumdar |first1=Samya |title=East Bengal Should Continue With Armando Colaco Next Season |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/east-bengal-should-continue-with-armando-colaco-next-season/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723035711/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/east-bengal-should-continue-with-armando-colaco-next-season/ |archive-date=23 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in ] season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bhutani |first1=Rahul |title=Churchill Brothers – Defending I-League Champions Stare At A Possible Relegation |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/churchill-brothers-defending-i-league-champions-stare-at-a-possible-relegation/ |website=The Hard Tackle |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722210416/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2014/churchill-brothers-defending-i-league-champions-stare-at-a-possible-relegation/ |archive-date=22 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- |-
|+ Current coaches in the I-League
| style="" | {{IND}}
|- |-
!Nat.
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Relegation To'''
!Name
!Club
!Appointed
!Time since appointment
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Malsawmzuala Sailo ||] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|11|4}} || {{ayd|2023|11|4}}
| style="" | ]
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Shareef Khan || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2024|03|31}} || {{ayd|2024|03|31}}
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Number of Teams'''
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|ESP}}}} || ] || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2024|7|25}} || {{ayd|2024|07|25}}
| style="" | ]
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || ] || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2017|07|01}} || {{ayd|2017|07|01}}
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Level on Pyramid'''
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|POR}}}} || ] || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|8|3}} || {{ayd|2022|8|3}}
| style="" | ]
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || Pushpender Kundu || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|7|1}} || {{ayd|2022|7|1}}
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Asian Qualification'''
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || ] || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|9|16}} || {{ayd|2022|9|16}}
| style="" | ]<br />]<br />]
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}} || ] || ] || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|27}} || {{ayd|2022|10|27}}
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Domestic Cups'''
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|ESP}}}} || ]|| ] ||{{dts|format=dmy|2024|01|27}} || {{ayd|2024|01|27}}
| style="" | ]<br />]
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||]||] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|6|25}}|| {{ayd|2023|6|25}}
| style="background: #BFD7FF;" | '''Current Champions (NFL 2006-07|2006–07)'''
|- |-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||Harpreet Singh||] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|11|25}}|| {{ayd|2023|11|25}}
| style="" | ]
|-
|{{sort|India|{{flagicon|IND}}}}||]||] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|4|1}}|| {{ayd|2023|4|1}}
|- |-
| style="" |
|} |}


] was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.|alt=The torso and head of a grey-haired white man in a football stadium. He is wearing spectacles and a black coat.|220x220px]]
The new Indian '''Professional Football League''', also known as the '''I League''', is the new football league in India started by the AIFF. It will replace the ] which lasted for 11 seasons. The 2007/2008 season will be the first for the I League. The league was set to begin September 30 and end in mid February. But with FIFA changing the dates for the World Cup qualifiers, the first season of the I League will begin November 24.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ Winning head coaches
|-
!Head coach
!Wins
!Winning year(s)
!Team
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|3
|2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2
|2013–14, 2015–16
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} ]
|2020–21, 2021–22
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|GRE}} ]
|rowspan="10" style="text-align:center"|1
|2022–23
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
|2019–20
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|SIN}} ]
|2018–19
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|2017–18
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|2016–17
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|2014–15
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|2012–13
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|MAR}} ]
|2010–11
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|SRB}} ]
|2008–09
|]
|-
|{{flagicon|RUS}} ]
|2023–24
|]
|}


== Champions ==
===The New Season 2007/2008===
{{Further-text|]}}


=== Successful clubs by seasons ===
The 2007/2008 season will be the first for the I League. In the first season, the league will consist of two divisions, the I League 1st Division and I League 2nd Division. The 1st Division will consist of 10 teams from five different cities. Eight of the teams will come over from last years final NFL and two promoted teams from the 2nd Division. The first ever I league will be sponsored by ], who were also the previous sponsors of the now defunct NFL. The first match will be played in Margao, Goa on November 24 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda between rivals Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Sports Club. Also, for the first time, clubs in the I league will be allowed to register four foreigners, though teams will only be allowed to field three during a match. All matches will be telecast live and exclusive on ].
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Season
!style="background:gold"|Champions
!style="background:silver"|Runners-up
!style="background:#c96"|Third place
!Teams
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (1/3)
|]
|]
|10
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (1/2)
|]
|]
|12
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (2/3)
|]
|]
|14
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|]
|]
|]
|14
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (3/3)
|]
|]
|14
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (2/2)
|]
|]
|14
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (1/2)
|]
|]
| 13
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (1/2)
|]
|]
|11
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (2/2)
|]
|]
| 9
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|]
|]
| ]
|10
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
| ]
|]
|]
|10
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|]
|]
| ]
|11
|-
| style="text-align:center"|]
|] (2/2)
| colspan="2"|''Not Awarded''{{efn|name=fn1}}
|11
|-
|]
|] (1/2)
|]
|]
|11
|-
|]
|] (2/2)
|]
|]
|13
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|12
|-
|]
|]
|]
|]
|13
|}


;Notes:
== Current clubs 2007/2008 ==
{{Notelist|refs=
===I League Teams for the 2007/2008 Season===
{{efn|name=fn1|Matches after 14th March 2020 were cancelled due to the ]. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions having enough point difference between the second-placed club.<ref name="SS1">{{cite news |last1=Sharma|first1=Amitabha Das|title=No relegation, no individual prize money in I-League 2019-20 |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/i-league-2019-20-cancelled-aiff-approval-mohun-bagan-east-bengal-gokulam-kerala-relagtion-indian-football-news-covid-19-coronavirus/article31394211.ece |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu |date=21 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627195952/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/i-league-2019-20-cancelled-aiff-approval-mohun-bagan-east-bengal-gokulam-kerala-relagtion-indian-football-news-covid-19-coronavirus/article31394211.ece|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
*] - ]
}}
*] - ], ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]*
*] - ]*


=== Performance by clubs ===
Salgaocar SC and Viva Kerala are the two promoted teams from last years NFL.
{| class="wikitable"
! Club !! Titles !! Runners-up !! Third place !! Winning seasons !! Runners-up seasons !! Third place seasons
|-
|]
|3
|0
|1
|2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12
|
|2010–11
|-
|]
|2
|3
|1
|2008–09, 2012–13
|2007–08, 2009–10,
2020–21
|2011–12
|-
|]
|2
|3
|1
|2014–15, 2019–20
|2008–09, 2015–16, 2016–17
|2017–18
|-
|]
|2
|1
|0
|2013–14, 2015–16
|2014–15
|
|-
|]
|2
|0
|2
|2020–21, 2021–22
|
|2022–23, 2023–24
|-
|]
|1
|1
|0
|2023–24
|2021–22
|
|-
|]
|1
|0
|1
|2010–11
|
|2013–14
|-
|]
|1
|0
|0
|2017–18
|
|
|-
|]
|1
|0
|0
|2016–17
|
|
|-
|]
|1
|0
|0
|2018–19
|
|
|-
|]
|1
|0
|0
|2022–23
|
|
|-
|]
|0
|4
|3
|
|2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–19
|2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
|-
|]
|0
|2
|1
|
|2022–23, 2023–24
|2021–22
|-
|]
|0
|1
|1
|
|2012–13
|2009–10
|-
|]
|0
|1
|0
|
|2017–18
|
|-
|]
|0
|0
|1
|
|
|2007–08
|-
|]
|0
|0
|1
|
|
|2008–09
|-
|]
|0
|0
|1
|
|
|2014–15
|-
|]
|0
|0
|1
|
|
|2018–19
|-
|]
|0
|0
|1
|
|
|2020–21
|}


== Stats and players ==
===I League 2nd Division for the 2007/2008 Season===
=== Individual game highest attendance records ===
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


{| class="wikitable sortable"
More teams are to be added to the 2nd Division before its start in January, 2008.
!Rank
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
!Attendance
!Stadium
!Date
|-
| align=center | 1||Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–0 ||East Bengal || align=center | 90,000||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2011|11|20}}
|-
| align=center | 2||Mohun Bagan || align=center | 0–1 ||East Bengal || align=center | 80,000||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2013|11|24}}
|-
| align=center | 3||Mohun Bagan || align=center | 2–1 ||East Bengal || align=center | 63,756||Salt lake Stadium||
{{dts|format=dmy|2020|1|19}}
|-
| align=center | 4||Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–1 ||East Bengal || align=center | 63,342||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2016|1|26}}
|-
| align=center | 5||Mohun Bagan || align=center | 1–0 ||East Bengal || align=center | 57,780||Salt Lake Stadium||{{dts|format=dmy|2015|3|28}}
|-
|}


=== Seasonal statistics ===
==Media and Broadcasting==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
] and ] are the media partners of the I League for the 2007-08 season. Live matches and highlights would be telecast by ] and ] in ] and the ].
|-
! Season !! Total goals !! Matches played !! Average per game
|-
| ] || 226 || 90 || 2.51<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2007–08 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2007-2008/regular-season/r5773/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325012248/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2007-2008/regular-season/r5773/ |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 318 || 132|| 2.41<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2008–09 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2008-2009/regular-season/r7539/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922000356/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2008-2009/regular-season/r7539/ |archive-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 486 || 182 || 2.67<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2009–10 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2009-2010/regular-season/r10302/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017013331/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2009-2010/regular-season/r10302/ |archive-date=17 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 489 || 182 || 2.69<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2010–11 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2010-2011/regular-season/r13090/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819155402/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2010-2011/regular-season/r13090/ |archive-date=19 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 521 || 182 || 2.88<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2011–12 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2011-2012/regular-season/r16043/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804012656/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2011-2012/regular-season/r16043/ |archive-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 530 || 182 || 2.91<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2012–13 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20122013/regular-season/r18294/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026025216/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20122013/regular-season/r18294/ |archive-date=26 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 402 || 156 || 2.47<ref name="2013 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2013–14 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724112126/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |archive-date=24 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 280 || 110 || 2.55<ref name="2014 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2014–15 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20142015/regular-season/r29929/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822031206/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20142015/regular-season/r29929/ |archive-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 186 || 72 || 2.58<ref name="2015 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2015–16 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20152016/regular-season/r33458/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=24 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425124252/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20152016/regular-season/r33458/ |archive-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 225 || 90 || 2.5<ref name="2016 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2016–17 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2017/regular-season/r35297/?ICID=PL_3N_01 |website=Soccerway |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904160308/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2017/regular-season/r35297/?ICID=PL_3N_01 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 204 || 90 || 2.27<ref name="2017 season">{{cite web |title=I-League 2017–18 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2018/regular-season/r40849/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102610/https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/2018/regular-season/r40849/ |archive-date=17 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ] || 303 || 109 || 2.78
|-
|] || 187 || 69{{efn|name=fn1}} || 2.71
|-
|]
|216
|80
|2.7
|-
|]
|294
|114
|2.58
|-
|]
|360
|132
|2.73
|-
|]
|503
|156
|3.22
|}

=== Player transfer fees ===
==== Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs ====
{| class="wikitable"
! Rank !! Player !! Fee (min) !! Year !! Transfer Out!! Transfer In!!Reference
|-
|1
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|{{INRConvert|7|c}}
|2009
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|2
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|{{INRConvert|3|C}}
|2011
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|3
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{INRConvert|20|l}}
|2012
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|4
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{INRConvert|10|l}}
|2019
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|}

==== Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs ====
{| class="wikitable"
! Rank !! Player !! Fee (min) !! Year !! Transfer Out!! Transfer In!!Reference
|-
|1
|{{flagicon|UGA}} ]
|{{INRConvert|4|C}}
|2019
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
| {{flagicon|EGY}} ]
|<ref>{{cite news | url=https://kawowo.com/2019/07/07/uganda-cranes-midfielder-aucho-seals-deal-at-egyptian-top-flight-side/ | title=Uganda Cranes midfielder Aucho seals deal at Egyptian top flight side | first=David | last=Isabirye | date=7 July 2019 | publisher=Kawowo Sports | access-date=22 August 2019 | archive-date=17 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817105554/https://kawowo.com/2019/07/07/uganda-cranes-midfielder-aucho-seals-deal-at-egyptian-top-flight-side/ }}</ref>
|-
|2
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{INRConvert|1.14|C}}
|2014
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|3
|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
|{{INRConvert|1|C}}
|2020
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|JPN}} ]
|
|-
|4
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{INRConvert|90|l}}
|2014
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|
|-
|}

=== Top scorers ===
{{Main|I-League Golden Boot}}
Season after season, players in the I-League compete for the ] title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winner of the golden boot is ], who won the golden boot at the end of the ] season after scoring 12 goals. ] is both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with five golden boots. Along with ], the two Nigerians make up the eight golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league.

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+I-League Golden Boot winners
!scope="col"|Season
!scope="col"|Player
!scope="col"|Club
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref(s)
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|22
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11">{{cite web |title=From the history books |url=http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=1965 |website=The All Indian Football Federation |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717033518/http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=1965 |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|26
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|22
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|30
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="AIFF Books 07-11"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|32
|style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bera |first1=Kaustav |title=Ranti Martins bags a double as I-League 2011–12 top performers announced |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |website=Goal.com |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608053623/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|27
|style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranti Martins voted Best Player of I-League 2012–13 |url=http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5019 |website=The All India Football Federation |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717051112/http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5019 |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3"|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|14
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=I-League 2013–14 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111112717/http://int.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league/20132014/regular-season/r22699/ |archive-date=11 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|SCO}} ]
|]
|-
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|TRI}} ]
|]
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|17
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2014 season"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|12
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2015 season"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|CMR}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|11
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2016 season"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|{{flagicon|CMR}} ]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|13
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2017 season"/>
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|Uruguay}} ]
|align="left"|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|21
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai City Crowned I-League 2018-19 Champions After Win Against Minerva Punjab |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254 |access-date=27 June 2020 |work=] (PTI) |publisher=] |date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627200614/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/chennai-city-crowned-i-league-2018-19-champions-after-win-against-minerva-punjab-2005254|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|TRI}} ]
|align="left"|]
|-
|]
!{{NA}}
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''Not Awarded''{{efn|name=fn1}}
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|12
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|{{flagicon|TRI}} ]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|15
|style="text-align:center"|
|-
|]
!scope=row align=left|{{flagicon|SVN}} ]
|align=left|]
|align=center|16
|
|-
|]
!scope=row align=left|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
|align=left|]
|align=center|19
|
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Indian top scorers
!scope="col"|Season
!scope="col"|Player
!scope="col"|Club
!scope="col"|Goals
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref(s)
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|9
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers">{{cite web |last1=Ghoshal |first1=Amoy |title=League: Sunil Chhetri two goals away from surpassing Bhaichung Bhutia's 17-year-old record |url=https://cricket.yahoo.com/news/league-sunil-chhetri-two-goals-114752578.html |website=Goal.com |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812090014/https://cricket.yahoo.com/news/league-sunil-chhetri-two-goals-114752578.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|9
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|13
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|13
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|9
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|7
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Indian top scorers"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|style="text-align:center"|14
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2013 season"/>
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|7
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2014 season"/>
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row"|]
|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2015 season"/>
|-
!scope="row"|]
|]
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|7
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2016 season"/>
|-
!scope="row"|]
|align="left"|]
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|<ref name="2017 season" />
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|9
|style="text-align:center"|<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian I-League Scoring Stats - 2019-20 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/season/2018/indian-i-league |access-date=26 July 2020 |work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726083005/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/season/2018/indian-i-league|archive-date=26 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|]
!{{NA}}
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''Not Awarded''{{efn|name=fn1}}
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|12
|style="text-align:center"|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
!scope="row" align="left"|Seilenthang Lotjem
|align="left"|]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
|-
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|-
|]
!scope="row" align="left"|]
|align="left"|]
|style="text-align:center"|15
|style="text-align:center"|
|}

{{Notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=fn1|Due to the ] the league was suspended after 14 March 2020. Only champions were awarded and remaining prize money in the league was equally divided among the remaining participating clubs and no individual prize money was also not awarded.<ref name="SS1"/> However, ] of ] scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, ] of ] scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian I-League Scoring Stats - 2019-20 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/indian-i-league |access-date=27 June 2020 |work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627201933/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/IND.2/indian-i-league|archive-date=27 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
}}

== Awards ==
=== The trophy ===
The I-League has only been awarding a proper trophy to the champion since 2013 when the ] season champions, ], won the league.<ref name="New Trophy">{{cite news |title=AIFF designs new trophy for I-League champions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/AIFF-designs-new-trophy-for-I-League-champions/articleshow/19912694.cms |website=Times of India |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154539/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/AIFF-designs-new-trophy-for-I-League-champions/articleshow/19912694.cms |archive-date=20 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before 2013 the I-League champions received a basic trophy.<ref name="New Trophy"/> The new trophy was designed in ] and is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues.<ref name="New Trophy"/> Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".<ref name="New Trophy"/>

=== Season awards ===
End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the ] and ] since 2008–09 season. Currently the awards include the ] of the league, the ], the golden glove, the best head coach (] Award), the best defender (] Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league, all of which are sponsored by ].

==== Hero of the League ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Player
!Team
|-
|]
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{Flagicon|ESP}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{Flagicon|TRI}} ]
|]
|}

==== Syed Abdul Rahim Award ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Head coach
!Team
|-
|]<ref name="2009 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2010 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2011 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|MAR}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/>
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2013 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2014 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2017-18 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Raja|date=2019-03-29|title=The 2018/19 I-League End of Season Awards {{!}} Sportsbeatsindia|url=https://sportsbeatsindia.com/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|access-date=2021-03-27|language=en-US|archive-date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620080529/https://sportsbeatsindia.com/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{Flagicon|SIN}} ]
|]
|-
|]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=I-League 2020-21: List of Award Winners as TRAU FC Win Maximum Accolades|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-2020-21-list-of-award-winners-as-trau-fc-win-maximum-accolades-3581582.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=News18|date=27 March 2021 |language=en|archive-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327202502/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-2020-21-list-of-award-winners-as-trau-fc-win-maximum-accolades-3581582.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} ]
|]
|}

==== Emerging player of the season ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Player
!Position
!Team
|-
|]<ref name="2009 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2010 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2011 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2013 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2014 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2017-18 Awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/i-league-2017-18-minerva-punjab-presented-with-winners-trophy-nerocas-gift-raikhan-named-seasons-best-coach-4401551.html |title=I-League 2017–18: Minerva Punjab presented with winners' trophy; NEROCA's Gift Raikhan named season's best coach |date=22 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323220106/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/i-league-2017-18-minerva-punjab-presented-with-winners-trophy-nerocas-gift-raikhan-named-seasons-best-coach-4401551.html |archive-date=23 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=The 2018/19 I-League End of Season Awards|url=https://theawayend.co/2019/03/13/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=The Away End|language=en-GB|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231317/https://theawayend.co/2019/03/13/the-2018-19-i-league-end-of-season-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name=":0" />
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]
|{{Flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|}

==== Foreign player of the year ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Player
!Position
!Team
|-
|]<ref name="2009 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=Chhetri Shines At First FPAI Awards Nite! |url=http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/1684648/ |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230107/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/1684648/ |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2010 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=FPAI Awards: Mohammed Rafi Bags The Best Indian Player, While Subrata Is Still The Fan's Favourite |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2010/09/13/2115689/fpai-awards-mohammed-rafi-bags-the-best-indian-player-while?ICID=AR_RA_1 |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103952/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2010/09/13/2115689/fpai-awards-mohammed-rafi-bags-the-best-indian-player-while?ICID=AR_RA_1 |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2011 Awards">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2011 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2011/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719172745/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2011%2F |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|BRA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2012 Awards">{{cite web |last1=Bera |first1=Kaustav |title=Ranti Martins bags a double as I-League 2011–12 top performers announced |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |website=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608053623/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/06/15/3176353/ranti-martins-bags-a-double-as-i-league-2011-12-top |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2013 Awards">{{cite news |last1=Marar |first1=Nandakumar |title=FPAI honours outstanding performers |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fpai-honours-outstanding-performers/article4747085.ece |website=The Hindu |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213026/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fpai-honours-outstanding-performers/article4747085.ece |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2014 Awards">{{cite news |title=Westwood bags FPAI best coach award, PK lifetime achievement |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Westwood-bags-FPAI-best-coach-award-PK-lifetime-achievement/articleshow/34389027.cms |website=Times of India |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921014742/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Westwood-bags-FPAI-best-coach-award-PK-lifetime-achievement/articleshow/34389027.cms |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SCO}} ]
|]
|]
|}

==== Indian Player of the Season ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Player
!Position
!Team
|-
|]<ref name="2009 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2010 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2011 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2012 Awards 2">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2012 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2012/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718193912/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2012%2F |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2013 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2014 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|}

==== Fans' player of the year ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Season
!Player
!Position
!Team
|-
|]<ref name="2009 Awards 2">{{cite web |title=Indian Football Awards 2009 |url=http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events/awards2009/ |website=The Football Players Association of India |access-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718200203/http://www.thefpai.net/events.php?folder=events%2Fawards2009%2F |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|NGA}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2010 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2011 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2012 Awards 2"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2013 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|AFG|2013}} ]
|]
|]
|-
|]<ref name="2014 Awards"/>
|{{flagicon|IND}} ]
|]
|]
|}

== I-League clubs in Asia ==
{{Main|Indian football clubs in Asian competition}}

Traditionally, I-League clubs have done particularly well in the AFC Cup. In ] ] managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup before being defeated by ] of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=East Bengal's Golden Continental Run |url=http://www.goaldentimes.org/east-bengals-golden-continental-run/ |website=Goalden Times |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007104640/http://www.goaldentimes.org/east-bengals-golden-continental-run/ |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] also managed to reach the semi-finals in ] before being knocked-out by ].<ref name="AFC Cup Loss East">{{cite web |title=Kuwait SC prove too good for East Bengal in AFC Cup SF |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/kuwait-sc-prove-too-good-for-east-bengal-in-afc-cup-semi-final/20131022.htm |website=Rediff |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717193012/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/kuwait-sc-prove-too-good-for-east-bengal-in-afc-cup-semi-final/20131022.htm |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup Final in ] but lost to ] of ].<ref name="Bengaluru FC first Indian club to reach AFC Cup final">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Bengaluru-FC-first-Indian-club-to-reach-AFC-Cup-final/articleshow/54942481.cms |title=Bengaluru FC first Indian club to reach AFC Cup final |work=The Times of India |date=19 October 2016 |agency=] |access-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023232505/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/bengaluru-fc-first-indian-club-to-reach-afc-cup-final/articleshow/54942481.cms |archive-date=23 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, in the ], no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bengaluru FC set sight on AFC Champions League qualification |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/223401-bengaluru-fc-set-sight-on-afc-champions-league-qualification |website=NDTV Sports |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716222744/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/223401-bengaluru-fc-set-sight-on-afc-champions-league-qualification |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Season
! ]
! Position
! ]
! Position
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
| rowspan=2 |]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}}
|-
| ]
| style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Semi-finals}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
| rowspan=2 |]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
| rowspan=2 |]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 data-sort-value="1"| ''DNP''
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Semi-finals}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 data-sort-value="1"| ''DNP''
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Qualifying Round 1}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 1}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Round of 16}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}}
|-
| ]
|style="background:silver;" {{Awards table sorting|Runners-up}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | ]
| ]
| style="background:#c96;" {{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone finals}}
| rowspan=2 | ]
| rowspan=2 {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group Stage}}
| rowspan="2" |]
| rowspan="2" {{Awards table sorting|Play-off Round}}
|-
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone semi-finals}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 2}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| data-sort-value="1"|''Cancelled''
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Preliminary Round 1}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Inter-zone semi-finals}}
|
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| {{Awards table sorting|Group stage}}
|
|
|}


== See also ==
] has clinched a 10 years broadcasting contract with ] for the I League.
{{Portal bar|India|Association football}}


* ]
==External links==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


== References ==
*
{{Reflist|30em}}
* - Official website of the All India Football Federation
* - India's Premier Football Site
* - I-League - The Home of India's Premier League


== External links ==
*{{official website}}
* – League Winner (archived 29 June 2017). Retrieved on 31 May 2015.


{{fb start}} {{I-League}}
{{AFC second leagues}}
{{I League 2007-08 teamlist}}
{{I League seasons}} {{Football in India}}
{{Portal bar|India|Association football|Sport}}
{{I League Stadiums}}
{{fb end}} {{Authority control}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 18:18, 14 January 2025

Second division men's association football league in India

Football league
I-League
Organising bodyAIFF
Founded2007; 18 years ago (2007) (as I-League; succeeding the National Football League)
CountryIndia
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs12
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toIndian Super League
Relegation toI-League 2
Domestic cup(s)Super Cup
Durand Cup
Current championsMohammedan (1st title)
Most championshipsDempo (3 titles)
Top goalscorerRanti Martins (214 goals)
TV partnersSony Sports (TV)
SSEN (Digital)
Websitei-league.org
Current: 2024–25 I-League

The I-League is the men's second professional football division of the Indian football league system behind the Indian Super League. Administered by the All India Football Federation, it is currently contested by 12 clubs. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League 2.

The competition was founded in 2007 as the successor to the National Football League, with the first season starting in November 2007. The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the India national team. I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season.

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru and Gokulam Kerala have won the league twice. Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Roundglass Punjab and Mohammedan have won it once.

History

Origins

In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League, in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football. Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season.

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.

Formation

After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season. The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007. The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian. The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports.

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Viva Kerala.

The early seasons (2007–2012)

The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute. After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League. Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible. This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities. Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the India national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top. Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League. This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong.

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.

Conflict of parties

On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States. The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league. This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league. It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting. Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League. The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance. At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season.

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India. Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization. Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting. It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.

League improvement

Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years. Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup. At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0. The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division, however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011. Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014. And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014.

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory. Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.

Demotion to second tier

On 18 May 2016, IMG–Reliance, along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives.

In 2017, FIFA and the AFC had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a singular league pyramid which would be acceptable for everyone. In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in Kuala Lumpur in order to find a new way forward for Indian football. The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League. A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the AFC Champions League qualifying stage, while the AFC Cup qualifying stage spot going to the ISL champions. The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup.

On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General Windsor John, which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the FSDL, the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India. Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in Da Nang, in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup. In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system.

Competition format

Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed over the years. Currently, the league has 12 teams. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie then head-to-head record is looked upon. Further, in the case of a tie the goal difference is looked upon the tied teams.

Clubs

A total of 41 clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2024-25 season.

Current clubs

Further information: 2024–25 I-League I-League is located in IndiaAizawlAizawlInter KashiInter KashiNamdhariNamdhariShillong LajongShillong LajongSreenidi DeccanSreenidi DeccanRajasthan UnitedRajasthan UnitedDelhiDelhiGoaGoaGoa clubs: Churchill Brothers DempoGoa clubs:
Churchill Brothers
Dempo
Gokulam KeralaGokulam KeralaReal KashmirReal KashmirSporting BengaluruSporting Bengaluru
class=notpageimage| Locations of the I-League clubs


Club State/UT City Stadium Capacity
Aizawl Mizoram Aizawl Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 20,000
Churchill Brothers Goa Vasco Tilak Maidan 5,000
Delhi Delhi New Delhi Mahilpur Football Stadium
Dempo Goa Panaji Duler 5,000
Gokulam Kerala Kerala Kozhikode EMS Stadium 50,000
Inter Kashi Uttar Pradesh Varanasi Kalyani Stadium 20,000
Namdhari Punjab Bhaini Sahib Namdhari Stadium 1,000
Rajasthan United Rajasthan Jaipur Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium 3,000
Real Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar TRC Turf Ground 11,000
Shillong Lajong Meghalaya Shillong SSA Stadium 5,000
Sreenidi Deccan Telangana Hyderabad Deccan Arena 1,500
Sporting Bengaluru Karnataka Bangalore Bangalore Football Stadium 8,400

All time clubs

The following is a list of clubs that have played in the I-League at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in bold.

I-League
Indian Super League
I-league 2
I-League 3 & State leagues
Defunct clubs
Operational academies

As of 2024

Pos. Team S P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1st 2nd 3rd 1st App Last / Recent app Highest finish
1 Churchill Brothers 14 303 139 83 81 525 369 155 499 2 3 2 2007–08 2023–24 1st
2 East Bengal 13 276 126 75 75 425 282 143 453 0 4 3 2007–08 2019–20 2nd
3 Mohun Bagan 13 276 126 85 65 430 301 129 451 2 3 1 2007–08 2019–20 1st
4 Dempo 8 188 90 52 46 337 209 128 322 3 0 1 2007–08 2014–15 1st
5 Salgaocar 8 182 70 46 66 258 229 29 256 1 0 1 2007–08 2015–16 1st
6 Shillong Lajong 10 218 61 63 94 256 353 -97 246 0 0 0 2009–10 2023–24 5th
7 Sporting Goa 8 178 62 57 59 241 249 -8 243 0 0 1 2007–08 2015–16 3rd
9 Aizawl 10 181 63 47 71 234 228 6 236 1 0 0 2015–16 2023–24 1st
8 Pune 6 148 63 45 40 219 168 51 234 0 1 1 2009–10 2014–15 2nd
10 Mumbai 9 204 53 72 79 219 281 -62 231 0 0 0 2008–09 2016–17 5th
11 Gokulam Kerala 7 132 61 30 41 218 155 60 213 2 0 1 2017–18 2023–24 1st
12 United 6 150 48 55 47 202 200 2 199 0 0 0 2008–09 2013–14 4th
13 Punjab 7 127 52 35 40 170 149 21 191 2 0 0 2016–17 2022–23 1st
14 Mohammedan 6 125 49 34 42 174 161 13 181 1 2 0 2008–09 2023–24 1st
15 Real Kashmir 6 113 43 39 31 150 121 29 168 0 0 1 2018–19 2023–24 3rd
16 Indian Arrows 9 178 38 43 97 143 287 -144 157 0 0 0 2010–11 2021–22 8th
17 Bengaluru 4 78 42 20 16 131 79 52 146 2 1 0 2013–14 2016–17 1st
18 NEROCA 7 132 38 30 64 155 211 -56 144 0 1 0 2017–18 2023–24 2nd
19 Air India 6 144 33 45 66 142 249 -107 144 0 0 0 2007–08 2012–13 8th
20 TRAU 6 112 36 25 51 134 178 -44 133 0 0 1 2019–20 2023–24 3rd
21 Sreenidi Deccan 3 64 36 14 14 125 74 51 122 0 2 1 2021–22 2023–24 2nd
22 JCT 4 92 29 27 36 93 100 -7 114 0 0 1 2007–08 2010–11 3rd
23 Chennai City 5 85 31 21 33 112 126 -14 114 1 0 0 2016–17 2020–21 1st
24 Mahindra United 3 66 25 25 16 97 69 28 100 0 0 0 2007–08 2009–10 4th
25 Viva Kerala 4 96 22 23 51 96 160 -64 89 0 0 0 2007–08 2011–12 9th
26 Rajasthan United 3 64 18 18 28 75 111 -36 72 0 0 0 2021–22 2023–24 6th
27 ONGC 2 52 12 19 21 55 76 -21 55 0 0 0 2010–11 2012–13 9th
28 Sudeva Delhi 3 48 13 13 22 42 60 -18 52 0 0 0 2020–21 2022–23 8th
29 Inter Kashi 1 24 11 8 5 47 41 6 41 0 0 0 2023–24 2023–24 4th
30 DSK Shivajians 2 34 7 12 15 38 55 -17 33 0 0 0 2015–16 2016–17 7th
31 Delhi 1 24 11 2 11 44 40 4 35 0 0 0 2023–24 2023–24 6th
32 HAL 2 52 7 11 34 37 108 -71 32 0 0 0 2010–11 2011–12 12th
33 Royal Wahingdoh 1 20 8 6 6 27 27 0 30 0 0 1 2014–15 2014–15 3rd
34 Kenkre 2 39 6 11 22 34 65 -31 29 0 0 0 2021–22 2022–23 13th
35 Namdhari 1 24 7 6 11 29 40 -11 27 0 0 0 2023–24 2023–24 11th
36 Rangdajied United 1 24 6 7 11 29 38 -9 25 0 0 0 2013–14 2013–14 11th
37 Bharat 1 20 4 6 10 13 28 -15 18 0 0 0 2014–15 2014–15 11th
38 United Sikkim 1 26 2 9 15 23 63 -40 15 0 0 0 2012–13 2012–13 14th
39 Vasco 1 22 2 4 16 14 49 -35 10 0 0 0 2008–09 2008–09 12th
41 Sporting Bengaluru - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Clubs qualifying for I-League

Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League
Season Clubs
2013–14 Bengaluru
2014–15 Bharat
2015–16 DSK Shivajians
2016–17 Churchill Brothers, Chennai City, Minerva Punjab
2017–18 Gokulam Kerala
2020–21 Sudeva Delhi
2021–22 Sreenidi Deccan
2023–24 Inter Kashi, Namdhari
Promoted clubs from I-League 2 to I-League
Season Clubs
2008 Mumbai, Mohammedan, United, Vasco
2009 Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Shillong Lajong, Pune
2010 ONGC, HAL
2011 Shillong Lajong, Sporting Goa
2012 ONGC, United Sikkim
2013 Rangdajied United, Mohammedan
2014 Royal Wahingdoh
2015 Aizawl
2015–16 Dempo
2016–17 NEROCA
2017–18 Real Kashmir
2018–19 TRAU
2020 Mohammedan
2021 Rajasthan United, Mumbai Kenkre
2022–23 Delhi, Shillong Lajong
2023–24 Sporting Bengaluru, Dempo

Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League

Promoted clubs from I-League to Indian Super League
Season Clubs
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
2023–24 Mohammedan
Relegated clubs from I-League to I-League 2
Season Clubs
2007–08 Viva Kerala, Salgaocar
2008–09 Mohammedan, Vasco
2009–10 Sporting Clube de Goa, Shillong Lajong
2010–11 JCT, ONGC
2011–12 Viva Kerala, HAL
2012–13 Air India, United Sikkim
2013–14 Mohammedan
2014–15 Dempo
2015–16 None
2016–17 Mumbai
2017–18 None
2018–19 Shillong Lajong
2019–20 None
2020–21 None
2021–22 None
2022–23 Mumbai Kenkre, Sudeva Delhi
2023–24 NEROCA, TRAU
  1. The club is based in Delhi but will play its home games in Punjab due to the unavailability of stadiums.
  2. Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League due to withdrawal of 3 Goan clubs.
  3. Churchill Brothers SC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after the appeal.
  4. Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after inclusion of two I-League clubs to Indian Super League
  5. NEROCA FC were relegated but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in India.
  6. Mumbai Kenkre FC were relegated but were reinstated after the closure of the Indian Arrows project.

Timeline

Sponsorship

Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ONGC I-League. However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013. On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the Airtel I-League. In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has Hero I-League. The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after 2022–23 season.

Period Title sponsor Tournament name
2007–11 India ONGC ONGC I-League
2011–13 none I-League
2013–14 India Airtel Airtel I-League
2014–2023 India Hero Hero I-League
2023–present none I-League

Media coverage

Period TV telecast Online streaming
2007–10 Zee Sports
2010–17 Ten Action, Ten Sports DittoTV
2017–19 Star Sports Hotstar, JioTV
2019–22 1Sports Facebook, JioTV
2022–23 Eurosport, DD Sports Discovery plus
2023–24 Eurosport FanCode
2024–present Sony Sports SSEN

Coaches

The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint technical or sporting directors as well as manager-style coaches. The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh and Bimal Ghosh were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements. This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director.

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma. On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League. Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three. Khogen Singh is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in 2017–18 season.

Current coaches in the I-League
Nat. Name Club Appointed Time since appointment
India Malsawmzuala Sailo Aizawl 4 November 2023 1 year, 71 days
India Shareef Khan Gokulam Kerala 31 March 2024 289 days
Spain Antonio López Habas Inter Kashi 25 July 2024 173 days
India Samir Naik Dempo 1 July 2017 7 years, 197 days
Portugal Carlos Vaz Pinto Sreenidi Deccan 3 August 2022 2 years, 164 days
India Pushpender Kundu Rajasthan United 1 July 2022 2 years, 197 days
India Bobby Nongbet Shillong Lajong 16 September 2022 2 years, 120 days
India Ishfaq Ahmed Real Kashmir 27 October 2022 2 years, 79 days
Spain Francesc Bonet Churchill Brothers 27 January 2024 353 days
India Yan Law Delhi 25 June 2023 1 year, 203 days
India Harpreet Singh Namdhari 25 November 2023 1 year, 50 days
India Chinta Chandrashekar Rao Sporting Bengaluru 1 April 2023 1 year, 288 days
The torso and head of a grey-haired white man in a football stadium. He is wearing spectacles and a black coat.
Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.
Winning head coaches
Head coach Wins Winning year(s) Team
India Armando Colaco 3 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 Dempo
England Ashley Westwood 2 2013–14, 2015–16 Bengaluru
Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese 2020–21, 2021–22 Gokulam Kerala
Greece Staikos Vergetis 1 2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
Spain Kibu Vicuña 2019–20 Mohun Bagan
Singapore Akbar Nawas 2018–19 Chennai City
India Khogen Singh 2017–18 Minerva Punjab
India Khalid Jamil 2016–17 Aizawl
India Sanjoy Sen 2014–15 Mohun Bagan
India Mariano Dias 2012–13 Churchill Brothers
Morocco Karim Bencherifa 2010–11 Salgaocar
Serbia Zoran Đorđević 2008–09 Churchill Brothers
Russia Andrey Chernyshov 2023–24 Mohammedan

Champions

Further information: Indian football champions

Successful clubs by seasons

Season Champions Runners-up Third place Teams
2007–08 Dempo (1/3) Churchill Brothers JCT 10
2008–09 Churchill Brothers (1/2) Mohun Bagan Sporting Goa 12
2009–10 Dempo (2/3) Churchill Brothers Pune 14
2010–11 Salgaocar East Bengal Dempo 14
2011–12 Dempo (3/3) East Bengal Churchill Brothers 14
2012–13 Churchill Brothers (2/2) Pune East Bengal 14
2013–14 Bengaluru (1/2) East Bengal Salgaocar 13
2014–15 Mohun Bagan (1/2) Bengaluru Royal Wahingdoh 11
2015–16 Bengaluru (2/2) Mohun Bagan East Bengal 9
2016–17 Aizawl Mohun Bagan East Bengal 10
2017–18 Minerva Punjab NEROCA Mohun Bagan 10
2018–19 Chennai City East Bengal Real Kashmir 11
2019–20 Mohun Bagan (2/2) Not Awarded 11
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala (1/2) Churchill Brothers TRAU 11
2021–22 Gokulam Kerala (2/2) Mohammedan Sreenidi Deccan 13
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab Sreenidi Deccan Gokulam Kerala 12
2023–24 Mohammedan Sreenidi Deccan Gokulam Kerala 13
Notes
  1. Matches after 14th March 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions having enough point difference between the second-placed club.

Performance by clubs

Club Titles Runners-up Third place Winning seasons Runners-up seasons Third place seasons
Dempo 3 0 1 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 2010–11
Churchill Brothers 2 3 1 2008–09, 2012–13 2007–08, 2009–10,

2020–21

2011–12
Mohun Bagan 2 3 1 2014–15, 2019–20 2008–09, 2015–16, 2016–17 2017–18
Bengaluru 2 1 0 2013–14, 2015–16 2014–15
Gokulam Kerala 2 0 2 2020–21, 2021–22 2022–23, 2023–24
Mohammedan 1 1 0 2023–24 2021–22
Salgaocar 1 0 1 2010–11 2013–14
Minerva Punjab 1 0 0 2017–18
Aizawl 1 0 0 2016–17
Chennai City 1 0 0 2018–19
RoundGlass Punjab 1 0 0 2022–23
East Bengal 0 4 3 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–19 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
Sreenidi Deccan 0 2 1 2022–23, 2023–24 2021–22
Pune 0 1 1 2012–13 2009–10
NEROCA 0 1 0 2017–18
JCT 0 0 1 2007–08
Sporting Goa 0 0 1 2008–09
Royal Wahingdoh 0 0 1 2014–15
Real Kashmir 0 0 1 2018–19
TRAU 0 0 1 2020–21

Stats and players

Individual game highest attendance records

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium Date
1 Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal 90,000 Salt Lake Stadium 20 November 2011
2 Mohun Bagan 0–1 East Bengal 80,000 Salt Lake Stadium 24 November 2013
3 Mohun Bagan 2–1 East Bengal 63,756 Salt lake Stadium

19 January 2020

4 Mohun Bagan 1–1 East Bengal 63,342 Salt Lake Stadium 26 January 2016
5 Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal 57,780 Salt Lake Stadium 28 March 2015

Seasonal statistics

Season Total goals Matches played Average per game
2007–08 226 90 2.51
2008–09 318 132 2.41
2009–10 486 182 2.67
2010–11 489 182 2.69
2011–12 521 182 2.88
2012–13 530 182 2.91
2013–14 402 156 2.47
2014–15 280 110 2.55
2015–16 186 72 2.58
2016–17 225 90 2.5
2017–18 204 90 2.27
2018–19 303 109 2.78
2019–20 187 69 2.71
2020–21 216 80 2.7
2021–22 294 114 2.58
2022–23 360 132 2.73
2023–24 503 156 3.22

Player transfer fees

Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs

Rank Player Fee (min) Year Transfer Out Transfer In Reference
1 Nigeria Uga Okpara ₹7 crore (US$820,000) 2009 Nigeria Enyimba India East Bengal
2 Nigeria Odafa Onyeka Okolie ₹3 crore (US$350,000) 2011 India Mohun Bagan India Churchill Brothers
3 India Lester Fernandez ₹20 lakh (US$23,000) 2012 India Pune India Prayag United
4 India Ronaldo Oliveira ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) 2019 India Salgaocar India East Bengal

Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs

Rank Player Fee (min) Year Transfer Out Transfer In Reference
1 Uganda Khalid Aucho ₹4 crore (US$470,000) 2019 India Churchill Brothers Egypt Misr Lel Makkasa
2 India Sunil Chhetri ₹1.14 crore (US$130,000) 2014 India Bengaluru India Mumbai City
3 Spain Pedro Manzi ₹1 crore (US$120,000) 2020 India Chennai City Japan Albirex Niigata
4 India Eugeneson Lyngdoh ₹90 lakh (US$110,000) 2014 India Bengaluru India Pune City

Top scorers

Main article: I-League Golden Boot

Season after season, players in the I-League compete for the golden boot title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winner of the golden boot is Bidyashagar Singh, who won the golden boot at the end of the 2020–21 season after scoring 12 goals. Ranti Martins is both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with five golden boots. Along with Odafa Onyeka Okolie, the two Nigerians make up the eight golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league.

I-League Golden Boot winners
Season Player Club Goals Ref(s)
2007–08 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22
2008–09 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 26
2009–10 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22
2010–11 Nigeria Ranti Martins Dempo 30
2011–12 Nigeria Ranti Martins Dempo 32
2012–13 Nigeria Ranti Martins Prayag United 27
2013–14 India Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru FC 14
Scotland Darryl Duffy Salgaocar
Trinidad and Tobago Cornell Glen Shillong Lajong
2014–15 Nigeria Ranti Martins East Bengal 17
2015–16 Nigeria Ranti Martins East Bengal 12
2016–17 Cameroon Aser Pierrick Dipanda Shillong Lajong 11
2017–18 Cameroon Aser Pierrick Dipanda Mohun Bagan 13
2018–19 Uruguay Pedro Manzi Chennai City FC 21
Trinidad and Tobago Willis Plaza Churchill Brothers
2019–20 — Not Awarded
2020–21 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU FC 12
2021–22 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph Mohammedan 15
2022–23 Slovenia Luka Majcen RoundGlass Punjab 16
2023–24 Spain Álex Sánchez Gokulam Kerala 19
Indian top scorers
Season Player Club Goals Ref(s)
2007–08 Bhaichung Bhutia Mohun Bagan 9
2008–09 Sunil Chhetri East Bengal 9
2009–10 Mohammed Rafi Mahindra United 13
2010–11 Jeje Lalpekhlua Indian Arrows 13
2011–12 Chinadorai Sabeeth Pailan Arrows 9
2012–13 C. K. Vineeth Prayag United 7
2013–14 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 14
2014–15 Thongkhosiem Haokip Pune 7
2015–16 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 5
Sushil Kumar Singh Mumbai
2016–17 Sunil Chettri Bengaluru 7
C. K. Vineeth Bengaluru
2017–18 Abhijit Sarkar Indian Arrows 4
Subhash Singh NEROCA
2018–19 Jobby Justin East Bengal 9
2019–20 — Not Awarded
2020–21 Bidyashagar Singh TRAU 12
2021–22 Thahir Zaman Gokulam Kerala 5
Shubho Paul Sudeva Delhi
2022–23 Seilenthang Lotjem Sudeva Delhi 6
Samuel Kynshi Real Kashmir
2023–24 Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia Aizawl 15
  1. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the league was suspended after 14 March 2020. Only champions were awarded and remaining prize money in the league was equally divided among the remaining participating clubs and no individual prize money was also not awarded. However, Aser Pierrick Dipanda of Minerva Punjab scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, Rochharzela of Aizawl scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians.

Awards

The trophy

The I-League has only been awarding a proper trophy to the champion since 2013 when the 2012–13 season champions, Churchill Brothers, won the league. Before 2013 the I-League champions received a basic trophy. The new trophy was designed in Europe and is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues. Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".

Season awards

End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the Football Players' Association of India and All India Football Federation since 2008–09 season. Currently the awards include the Hero of the league, the golden boot, the golden glove, the best head coach (Syed Abdul Rahim Award), the best defender (Jarnail Singh Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league, all of which are sponsored by Hero.

Hero of the League

Season Player Team
2016–17 India Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru
2018–19 Spain Pedro Manzi Chennai City
2020–21 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Trinidad and Tobago Marcus Joseph Mohammedan

Syed Abdul Rahim Award

Season Head coach Team
2008–09 England Dave Booth Mumbai
2009–10 India Armando Colaco Dempo
2010–11 Morocco Karim Bencherifa Salgaocar
2011–12 England Trevor Morgan East Bengal
2012–13 India Derrick Pereira Pune
2013–14 England Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2014–15 India Sanjoy Sen Mohun Bagan
2015–16 England Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2016–17 India Khalid Jamil Aizawl
2017–18 India Gift Raikhan NEROCA
2018–19 Singapore Akbar Nawas Chennai City
2020–21 India L. Nandakumar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese Gokulam Kerala

Emerging player of the season

Season Player Position Team
2008–09 India Baljit Sahni Forward JCT
2009–10 India Joaquim Abranches Forward Dempo
2010–11 India Jeje Lalpekhlua Forward Pailan Arrows
2011–12 India Manandeep Singh Forward Pailan Arrows
2012–13 India Alwyn George Midfielder Pailan Arrows
2013–14 India Alwyn George Midfielder Dempo
2015–16 India Udanta Singh Winger Bengaluru
2016–17 India Jerry Lalrinzuala Left Back DSK Shivajians
2017–18 India Samuel Lalmuanpuia Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2018–19 India Phrangi Buam Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2020–21 India Emil Benny Forward Gokulam Kerala
2021–22 India Jiteshwor Singh Midfielder NEROCA

Foreign player of the year

Season Player Position Team
2008–09 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2010–11 Brazil Beto Midfielder Dempo
2011–12 Nigeria Ranti Martins Forward Dempo
2012–13 Nigeria Ranti Martins Forward Prayag United
2013–14 Scotland Darryl Duffy Forward Salgaocar

Indian Player of the Season

Season Player Position Team
2008–09 India Sunil Chhetri Forward East Bengal
2009–10 India Mohammed Rafi Forward Mahindra United
2010–11 India Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12 India Syed Nabi Defender Mohun Bagan
2012–13 India Lenny Rodrigues Midfielder Churchill Brothers
2013–14 India Balwant Singh Forward Churchill Brothers

Fans' player of the year

Season Player Position Team
2008–09 Nigeria Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10 India Subrata Pal Goalkeeper Pune
2010–11 India Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12 India Francis Fernandes Midfielder Salgaocar
2012–13 Afghanistan Zohib Islam Amiri Defender Mumbai
2013–14 India Boithang Haokip Midfielder Shillong Lajong

I-League clubs in Asia

Main article: Indian football clubs in Asian competition

Traditionally, I-League clubs have done particularly well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon. East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013 before being knocked-out by Al-Kuwait. Bengaluru is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup Final in 2016 but lost to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.

However, in the AFC Champions League, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.

Season AFC Cup Position AFC Champions League Position
2008–09 Mohun Bagan Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Semi-finals
2009–10 East Bengal Group stage Churchill Brothers Play-off Round
Churchill Brothers Round of 16
2010–11 East Bengal Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Round of 16
2011–12 East Bengal Group stage Salgaocar DNP
Salgaocar Group stage
2012–13 East Bengal Semi-finals Churchill Brothers DNP
Churchill Brothers Group stage
2013–14 Churchill Brothers Round of 16 Pune Qualifying Round 1
Pune Group stage
2014–15 Bengaluru Round of 16 Bengaluru Preliminary Round 1
East Bengal Group stage
2015–16 Mohun Bagan Round of 16 Mohun Bagan Preliminary Round 2
Bengaluru Runners-up
2016–17 Bengaluru Inter-zone finals Bengaluru Preliminary Round 2
Mohun Bagan Group stage
2017–18 Aizawl Group Stage Aizawl Play-off Round
Bengaluru Inter-zone semi-finals
2019 Minerva Punjab Group stage Minerva Punjab Preliminary Round 2
2018–19 Chennai City Cancelled Chennai City Preliminary Round 1
2019–20 Mohun Bagan Inter-zone semi-finals
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala Group stage

See also

Portals:

References

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