2021 I-League qualifiers
The 2021 I-League Qualifiers or Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021 (for sponsorship reasons) was the 14th season of I-League 2nd Division since its establishment in 2008. The league winner secured place in 2021–22 I-League season.
| Dates | 4 – 23 October |
|---|---|
| Champions | Rajasthan United |
| Promoted | Rajasthan United Kenkre |
| Matches played | 22 |
| Goals scored | 57 (2.59 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Anwar Ali Jr. (4 goals) |
| Highest scoring | Bengaluru United 3–3 Madan Maharaj (8 October 2021) Corbett 1–5 Delhi (9 October 2021) Madan Maharaj 0–6 Delhi (23 October 2021) |
| Longest winning run | 4 matches (Delhi) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 6 matches (Rajasthan United) |
| Longest winless run | 4 matches (ARA, Corbett, Madan Maharaj) |
| Longest losing run | 3 matches (ARA, Madan Maharaj) |
| Total attendance | 700 |
← 2020 2022–23 → | |
Subrata Dutta, senior vice president of All India Football Federation, and AIFF league committee members held its meeting on June 26, 2021, agreeing that state associations which have conducted a league or qualifying championship, will be eligible to nominate teams for the qualifiers.
Even though states are allowed to nominate two teams, the AIFF said each state association will be represented by just one team in I-League qualifiers. The AIFF has made it clear that only those states which conduct a league will be allowed to nominate a team. At least two states made direct recommendations, but were turned down. AIFF allowed relaxation in case nominated clubs could not meet the financial criteria to play in I-League, if they were promoted.
On 4th December 2021, AIFF barred I-League club Chennai City from participating in 2021–22 season on failing to comply with club licensing regulations, and hence second-placed qualifiers team Kenkre FC was promoted.