I-League
The I-League is the men's second-tier of the Indian football league system. 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.
| Organising body | AIFF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 (as I-League); (succeeding the National Football League) |
| Country | India |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Indian Super League |
| Relegation to | I-League 2 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Super Cup Durand Cup |
| Current champions | Mohammedan (1st title) |
| Most championships | Dempo (3 titles) |
| Top goalscorer | Ranti Martins (214 goals) |
| TV partners | EuroSport Indian Football (YouTube) |
| Website | i-league |
| Current: 2024–25 I-League | |
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 ever 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.