Indian football fans better sit tight as one of the most prestigious accolades in Indian Football, the I-League 2024-25 is around the corner. Sreenidi Deccan will take on Gokulam Kerala tomorrow in Hyderabad in the opening match of this season.
From Complete fixtures to the participating teams, here is everything you need to know about the 18th season of the I-League.
Teams to participate in the I-League 2024-25
10 teams from the 2023-24 I-League will compete this season along with 2 teams that achieved promotion to the I-League from the I-League 2.
2023-24 I-League 2 Champions Sporting Bengaluru and Runner-ups Dempo SC are the new inclusions this season.
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Aizawl FC
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Churchill Brothers
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Delhi FC
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Dempo SC
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Gokulamn Kerala
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Inter Kashi
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Namdhari FC
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Rajasthan United
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Real Kashmir
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Shillong Lajong
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Sporting Bengaluru
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Sreenidi Deccan
Teams to watch this season
Gokulam Kerala will be eyeing for their third I-League title after falling 10 points short of the champions Mohammedan SC. Gokulam finished third last season and they have to strong squad to compete under new manager Antonio Rueda Fernandez. Players such as Sergio Llamas, Martín Cháves, VP Suhair, and last season's Golden Boot winner Álex Sánchez will be crucial for Gokulam's journey this season.
Sreenidi Deccan, the runner-up of last season and the 2022-23 season as well, will suit up for the league title and they have retained the almost same squad from last season. Portuguese coach Rui Amorim has been appointed as the new coach and the Hyderabad-based club will leave no stone unturned for their title charge. Players like David Castañeda, William Alves, Brandon Vanlalremdika, and Eli Sabiá can make Sreenidi fans dream of their maiden I-League title.
Inter Kashi debuted in the 2023-24 I-League as a new inductee and finished in the 4th position. However, they have appointed Antonio Lopez Habas as the new gaffer who is arguably the best coach in ISL history. Mario Barco, Joni Kauko, and Nikola Stojanović will strengthen Kashi's squad whereas they have renowned Indian players such as Edmund Lalrindika, Arindam Bhattacharya, and Narayan Das. inter Kashi will be a very interesting team to watch this season.
Churchill Brothers will again represent Goa after finishing seventh last season along with the Goa counterpart Dempo SC, the club that returned to the I-League after nine long years. Shillong Lajong displayed a good show of football in the Durand Cup 2024 and they hope to continue to do so.
Previous Winners
Season | Winners | Runner-ups |
2007-08 | Dempo SC | Churchill Brothers |
2008-09 | Churchill Brothers | Mohun Bagan |
2009-10 | Dempo SC | Churchill Brothers |
2010-11 | Salgaocar FC | East Bengal |
2011-12 | Dempo SC | East Bengal |
2012-13 | Churchill Brothers | Pune FC |
2013-14 | Bengaluru FC | East Bengal |
2014-15 | Mohun Bagan | Bengaluru FC |
2015-16 | Bengaluru FC | Mohun Bagan |
2016-17 | Aizawl FC | Mohun Bagan |
2017-18 | Minerva Punjab | NEROCA |
2018-19 | Chennai City FC | East Bengal |
2019-20 | Mohun Bagan | - |
2020-21 | Gokulam Kerala | Churchill Brothers |
2021-22 | Gokulam Kerala | Mohammedan SC |
2022-23 | Punjab FC | Sreenidi Deccan |
2023-24 | Mohammedan SC | Sreenidi Deccan |