Indian Football League (1st tier) |
---|
National Football League (1996–2007) I-League (2007–2017) I-League & Indian Super League (2017–2022) Indian Super League (2022–present) |
Country |
India |
Founded |
1996 |
Number of teams (from 2024–25) |
13 |
Current Champions |
Mohun Bagan SG |
Most successful club |
Mohun Bagan SG (6 titles)[1] |
The Indian football champions are the winners of the highest league in Indian men's football, which is currently the Indian Super League.
Though Indian football tournaments dates back to the eighteenth century, a proper league system. the National Football League (NFL) was established in 1996, playing it first season in 1996–97. Its champions were considered the national champions. After the 2006–07 season, the NFL was rebranded, becoming the I-League with its champions continuing to be considered national champions until 2017, when the Indian Super League (ISL) became the country's joint premier football league. In 2022, ISL became the only top tier football league of the country. ISL playoffs winners were considered as ISL champions until 2021–22 season. Later from 2022–23 season, ISL champions designation was awarded to the table toppers.
There are 12 clubs who have won either the National Football League or the I-League and championships and six clubs who have won the Indian Super League since the league became the joint top division in India. JCT were the first club to have won any championship, winning the 1996–97 NFL. Mohun Bagan SG are the most successful club, winning championships six times, NFL three times, I-League twice and ISL once.