I-League 3

Last updated

I-League 3
I-League 3.svg
Organising body AIFF
Founded13 June 2023;17 months ago (2023-06-13)
CountryIndia
Confederation AFC
Number of teamsTBA
Level on pyramid 4
Promotion to I-League 2
Relegation to State leagues (provisionally)
Domestic cup(s) Durand Cup [a]
Current champions Diamond Harbour (1st title)
Most championships Diamond Harbour
Sporting Goa
(1 title each)
TV partnersSportsCast India
SportsKPI
SportVot
AIFF (YouTube)
Website I-League.org
Current: 2024–25

The I-League 3 is a men's professional football league in India. It forms the fourth tier of the Indian football league system, below the I-League 2 and above the State leagues. [1] [2]

Contents

History

For the first time, the AIFF introduced qualifiers for the I-League 2 in the 2022–23 season. [3] On 13 June 2023, the AIFF league committee announced introducing a new league below the I-League 2, where champions of State leagues and nominated clubs will play. State FAs have to nominate a team before July 31. [4] The AIFF wants to create a competitive pyramid with a concrete progression pathway, aimed to allow even the smallest of clubs to get promoted to the higher divisions.

Clubs

India location map 3.png
Locations of 2025–26 I-League 3 group stage clubs

Current clubs

No.ClubCityStateLeaguePosition
1 Sesa FA Sanquelim Goa 2024–25 I-League 3 Playoffs 4th
2 Abbas Union FC Hyderabad Telangana 2024–25 I-League 3 Playoffs 4th
3 Dalbir FA Patiala Punjab 2024–25 I-League 3 Playoffs 5th
4 Downtown Heroes FC Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir 2024–25 I-League 3 Playoffs 5th
  1. Participation via an invitation

All-time clubs

Currently in I-League 3
Currently in Indian Super League or I-League or I-League 2
Currently in State leagues
Defunct clubs

As of 2024

Pos.ClubCitySPWDLGFGAGDPtsAppearances
1 Diamond Harbour Diamond Harbour, West Bengal 21311113082234 2023–24, 2024–25
2 KLASA Bishnupur, Manipur 2168442417728 2023–24, 2024–25
3 Chanmari Aizawl, Mizoram 198012241824 2024–25
4 Kerala United Malappuram, Kerala 2125432014619 2023–24, 2024–25
5 Sporting Goa Panaji, Goa 185311731417 2023–24
6 Sporting Bengaluru Bengaluru, Karnataka 185311981117 2023–24
7 Dempo Panaji, Goa 18531112917 2023–24
8 Karbi Anglong Morning Star Diphu, Assam 1850327111615 2024–25
9 Lakecity Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 284311710715 2023–24, 2024–25
10 SAT Tirur, Kerala 184221512314 2024–25
11 MYJ–GMSC Mumbai, Maharashtra 18413148613 2024–25
12 Sesa Sanquelim, Goa 183321111012 2024–25
13 Garhwal Heroes New Delhi, Delhi 284041114-312 2023–24, 2024–25
14 Sports Odisha Cuttack, Odisha 283231010011 2023–24, 2024–25
15 Abbas Union Hyderabad, Telangana 2123271218-611 2023–24, 2024–25
16 Rangdajied United Shillong, Meghalaya 142208268 2023–24
17 Kickstart Bengaluru, Karnataka 14211154117 2023–24
18 HAL Bengaluru, Karnataka 142119367 2024–25
19 Bhawanipore Kolkata, West Bengal 142118627 2023–24
20 Kenkre Mumbai, Maharashtra 142118807 2024–25
21 Downtown Heroes Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 182151317-47 2024–25
22 Dalbir Patiala, Punjab 18215515-107 2024–25
23International Phagwara, Punjab 142025326 2023–24
24 Vatika New Delhi, Delhi 1420257-26 2023–24


25 Charutar Vidya Mandal Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat 1420258-36 2024–25
26 United Chirang Duar Chirang, Assam 141215505 2023–24
27 ARA Ahemedabad, Gujarat 141127434 2023–24
28KIYC Imphal, Manipur 141128714 2023–24
29 Southern Sporting Imphal, Manipur 141125504 2024–25
30 Baroda Vadodara, Gujarat 1410335-23 2023–24
31 Corbett Rudrapur, Uttarakhand 1410337-43 2024–25
32 Coramandal Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 14103412-83 2024–25
33Doaba United Jalandhar, Punjab 14103311-83 2023–24
34 JIT Pondicherry 14103211-93 2023–24
35 Jaipur Elite Jaipur, Rajasthan 28035515-103 2023–24, 2024–25
36 RKM Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh 28107625-193 2023–24, 2024–25
37 Maharashtra Oranje Mumbai, Maharashtra 14022810-22 2024–25
38 Ghaziabad City Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 1401339-61 2024–25
39 Bhuna Bhuna, Haryana 14013320-171 2024–25
40 Millat Mumbai, Maharashtra 14004114-130 2023–24
41New Friends Bade Bacheli, Chhattisgarh 14004226-240 2023–24

Clubs relegated to I-League 3

Relegated clubs from I-League 2 to I-League 3
SeasonClubs
2023–24 Kenkre, Maharashtra Oranje
2024–25

Clubs promoted from I-League 3

Promoted clubs from I-League 3 to I-League 2
SeasonClubs
2023–24 Sporting Goa, Dempo, Sporting Bengaluru
2024–25 Diamond Harbour, Chanmari, SAT, KLASA
2025–26 Karbi Anglong Morning Star, MYJ–GMSC

Results

Source: [5]
SeasonChampionsRunners-upNo. of teams
2023–24 Sporting Goa Dempo 25
2024–25 Diamond Harbour Chanmari 25

See also

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References

  1. "Five teams submit bids for direct Hero I-League entry". www.the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  2. "Record five bids for I-League; no ISL reserves in 2nd and 3rd divisions". Hindustan Times. 13 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  3. Chatterjee, Triyasha (1 May 2023). "I-League: AIFF League Committee inflict 3-TIER BIDDING structure for DIRECT entry into I-League 2023-24- Check Out". Inside Sport India. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  4. "AIFF League committee announce I-League direct entry bidders and revamped league structure for IWL". Khel Now. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  5. "I-League 3 2023 — Final Standings (Play-off's)". the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.