IWL 2026-27 to begin October 16, IWL 2 season starts October 23

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced the start dates for the 2026-27 seasons of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and IWL 2, with the country's top-tier women's club competition set to begin on October 16.

Eight clubs will compete in the 2026-27 IWL season. Six teams from last season, East Bengal FC, Sethu FC, Kickstart FC, Nita FA, Gokulam Kerala FC and Garhwal United FC, will be joined by promoted IWL 2 sides HOPS FC and Juba Sangha FC.

The IWL 2 group stage will begin on October 23, featuring 20 clubs split into four groups of five. The four group winners and two best second-placed teams will progress to the six-team final round, which starts on November 25.

AIFF said further details on participating teams and fixtures will be announced later.

Higher coaching standards from 2027-28

The AIFF League Committee has also approved higher minimum coaching licence requirements for both competitions, effective from the 2027-28 season.

IWL head coaches will need an AFC A Licence, while assistant coaches must hold an AFC B Licence. In IWL 2, head coaches will require an AFC B Licence and assistant coaches an AFC C Licence.

The changes are aimed at raising technical standards and supporting the professionalisation of women's football in India.

The Committee has also ruled that players registered or signed by an IWL club will not be eligible to play in IWL 2 during the same season, with the aim of creating greater opportunities for players across the competition structure.

The disciplinary rules for yellow-card accumulation have also been revised. A player's first suspension will now come after three yellow cards, followed by a suspension after every two additional yellow cards.

IWL expansion planned

AIFF is also targeting a gradual expansion of the IWL. The eight-team league is planned to grow to 10 teams by the 2028-29 season and eventually reach 12 teams by 2032.

The League Committee is also aiming to increase the number of IWL matches to around 90 by 2028-29.

The expansion plan is intended to provide players with more competitive exposure and playing time, strengthen the women's football ecosystem and create a larger talent pool for the Indian national team.