Reliance Foundation Development League

Reliance Foundation Development League
Organising bodies	Reliance Foundation ; All India Football Federation
Founded	7 April 2022;2 years ago
Country	India
Number of clubs	61+
Level on pyramid	Youth
International cup(s)	Next Gen Cup
Current champions	Punjab (1st title)
Most championships	Bengaluru (2 titles)
TV partners	Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (YouTube)
Website	RFDL
	Current: 2025

Last updated January 15, 2025

The Reliance Foundation Development League(RFDL) is India's Youth Football league organised by the Reliance Foundation in technical support with the AIFF.^[3] A total of 60+ teams participates in the tournament.^[4] The league was founded to offer opportunities to the young players across the country.^[5]

Background

In June 2021 it was proposed after a meeting of the AIFF and CEOs of all the ISL clubs that a new developmental competition called Reliance Foundation Development League would be introduced in 2022.^[6] This new league would consist of the youth and reserve teams of all the ISL clubs, with aim to develop young players as there has been limited number of competitions and leagues outside the ISL since the pandemic. The teams would predominantly feature U-21 players with few overage players allowed as well.^[7] The inaugural season of the proposed two-month league will be held in Goa inside a bio-secure bubble between January and March, following the same medical and safety procedures for 2021–22 ISL season, but got postponed to April 15.^[8]

Player eligibility

should be under-21
should be at least 15 at the time of registration
permission to include five players aged 21-23, no more than three players are allowed in the playing XI
maximum of 24 players
no foreign nationals

Seasons

Season	Zones	Clubs
2022	1	8
2023	9	59
2024	8	57
2025

Teams

Performance by clubs

Club	Titles	Runners-up	Third place	Winning seasons	Runners-up seasons	Third place seasons
Bengaluru	2	0	0	2022, 2023
Punjab	1	0	0	2024
Kerala Blasters	0	1	0		2022
Sudeva Delhi	0	1	0		2023
East Bengal	0	1	0		2024
Hyderabad	0	0	1			2022
Mohun Bagan	0	0	1			2023
Muthoot FA	0	0	1			2024

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References

↑ "Bengaluru FC crowned RFDL Champion after a thrilling title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC". indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
↑ Sports Desk, JE (14 May 2023). "Bengaluru FC Crowned RFDL Champion After A Thrilling Title Defence Against Sudeva Delhi FC". english.jagran.com. New Delhi: Jagaran English. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
↑ "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
↑ "All you need to know about the RF Development League 2022". 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
↑ "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
↑ Bangde, Arjun (30 June 2021). "ISL to propose a new league for reserve and U-21 players". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
↑ Marcus Mergulhao (30 June 2021). "ISL proposes new league for reserve, U-21 players | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
↑ "Hygiene officers and four sets of training protocols - What could be the 'new normal' during ISL 2020-21? | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

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[1] "Bengaluru FC crowned RFDL Champion after a thrilling title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC". indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.

[2] Sports Desk, JE (14 May 2023). "Bengaluru FC Crowned RFDL Champion After A Thrilling Title Defence Against Sudeva Delhi FC". english.jagran.com. New Delhi: Jagaran English. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.

[3] "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.

[4] "All you need to know about the RF Development League 2022". 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.

[5] "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.

[6] Bangde, Arjun (30 June 2021). "ISL to propose a new league for reserve and U-21 players". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

[7] Marcus Mergulhao (30 June 2021). "ISL proposes new league for reserve, U-21 players | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

[8] "Hygiene officers and four sets of training protocols - What could be the 'new normal' during ISL 2020-21? | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

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