Association football is one of the three most-popular sports in India, the others being cricket and kabaddi. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognises the Indian Super League as the national football league of India. The Santosh Trophy is a knock-out competition among Indian states and government institutions.
The National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, due to ties with FIFA, also known as the FIFA Santosh Trophy, or simply Santosh Trophy, is an inter-state national football competition contested by the state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the sport's governing body in India. Before the launch of the first national club league, the National Football League in 1996, the Santosh Trophy was considered the top domestic tournament in India. Many players who have represented India internationally have played and gained honour while playing in the Santosh Trophy. The tournament is held every year with eligible teams who are divided into zones, must play in the qualifying round and can progress into the tournament proper. The current champions are Karnataka, who won their title after 54 years during the 2022–23 edition. This was the first trophy for Karnataka, which had previously won four times as the princely state of Mysore, after 1968-69.
The Senior Women's National Football Championship, also known as Rajmata Jijabaisaheb Maharaj National Football Championship since 2024, is a women's football tournament contested by state associations and government institutions in India. The first edition was held in 1991 and is organized by the All India Football Federation to crown the national women's football champion each year. It is based on a league and knockout format.
Kerala United Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Malappuram, Kerala, that competes in the Kerala Premier League, a state-level football league organized by the Kerala Football Association. It's currently the fifth tier of the Indian football league system.
The Mizoram Premier League is the highest state-level football league in Mizoram, India. On a national scale, it is the 5th tier of Indian football league system. The competition is conducted by the Mizoram Football Association, the official football body of Mizoram, with Tetea Hmar as its secretary and key promoter. The league started on 24 October 2012 for the first time.
The Shillong Premier League is the second-level state-level football league in the Indian state of Meghalaya, below the top-tier Meghalaya State League, organised by the Shillong Sports Association (SSA), which is affiliated to the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA). It was started with 8 teams in 2010. Mawlai SC are the current champions.
Women's football in India is growing in popularity under All India Football Federation, despite the earlier long-term governing body's inability to provide sufficient funds for the game.
Madhya Bharat Sports Club was an Indian professional football club based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The club last competed in the I-League 2nd Division, the second tier of Indian football league system. They are also played in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League.
Kerala Blasters Football Club Reserves and Academy, also known as Kerala Blasters B, are the reserve team and academy of the Kochi based Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters. The reserve team of the Blasters most recently competes in the Kerala Premier League, the top division of Kerala football and the RF Development League. The club's youth system consists of three teams, Under-17, Under-15 and Under-13 age groups that competes in their respective age divisions of the Ernakulam District Youth League. The youth teams of the Blasters has previously played in the Elite League, the top tier of the youth football system in India.
State football leagues in India represents premier-state (football), overall 5th-10th men's and 3rd women's tier of the Indian football league system. There are currently a total of 36 state associations affiliated with the national governing body, the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The Indian football league system is the league structure of football club competitions in India. The highest level of men's club football competition is the Indian Super League. Indian Women's League, founded in 2016, is the highest level of women's football club competition in India.
The Madhya Pradesh Premier League is the top-tier state league in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is organised by Madhya Pradesh Football Association (MPFA).
Madan Maharaj FC is an Indian professional football club based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It is also first professional football club from the state. They currently compete in Madhya Pradesh Premier League and were part of 2021 I-League Qualifiers.
The 2021–22 Madhya Pradesh Premier League was the 2nd season of the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, the first professional league in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is organised by the Madhya Pradesh Football Association.
2020-21 Madhya Pradesh Premier League is the first season of the top tier league in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is organised by Madhya Pradesh Football Association (MPFA).
The Football Delhi is one of the 37 Indian state football associations that are affiliated to the All India Football Federation. It is the governing body of football-related sports in Delhi, India. The Delhi football team is also administered by Football Delhi. It sends state teams for Santosh Trophy and Senior Women's National Football Championship.
The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) is one of the 36 Indian state football associations that are affiliated with the All India Football Federation. The MFA is the football governing body in the state of Meghalaya, India. The Meghalaya football team is also administered by the MFA. It sends state teams for Santosh Trophy and Senior Women's National Football Championship.
The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) is one of the 36 Indian state football associations that are affiliated with the All India Football Federation. It is the state-level governing body of football in the state of Nagaland, India. The Nagaland football team is also administered by NFA. Nagaland Football Association manages Nagaland Premier League, the state football competition in Nagaland. It also sends state teams for Santosh Trophy and Senior Women's National Football Championship.
