The Fourteen participating teams are: Dempo SC (Goa), Churchill Brothers (Goa), Pune FC (Pune), Mohun Bagan (Kolkata), East Bengal (Kolkata), Salgaocar SC (Goa), Chirag United (Kolkata), Air India (Mumbai), Viva Kerala (Kerala), Mumbai FC (Mumbai), JCT (Ludhiana), AIFF XI (Delhi), HAL (Bangalore) & ONGC (Mumbai).
AIFF XI, HAL and ONGC are the three new teams for this edition. HAL and ONGC are the two promoted sides after finishing first and second in the I-League Second Division while Shillong Lajong and SC Goa have been relegated to the Second Div. AIFF XI on the other hand comprises of India U-19 teams who have replaced the disband Mahindra United. The decision to field AIFF-XI was to keep the team together and let them play competitive football round the year to build the team for qualifying 2018 FIFA WC.
The opening day of the league will witness some thrilling actions as Defending Champions Dempo SC takes on runners up Churchill Brothers in Goa while the Federation Cup Champions East Bengal plays the promoted side ONGC in Kolkata. The only team from North India- JCT travels down South in Bangalore to play another promoted side HAL while the two Mumbai based clubs Mumbai FC and Air India lock horns at home. The fifth match of the day shall witness Salgaocar SC and Viva Kerala fighting for supremacy in Kochi.
On November 27, the fast growing club Chirag United will come up against AIFF XI at home in Kolkata while Pune FC and Mohun Bagan kick start their season in Pune.
However, football lovers across the country might not be able to view all these thrilling actions on TV as contract with Zee Sports is on verge of termination while a new contract with Reliance – IMG is yet to be finalized.
For complete fixture visit www.the-aiff.com/pages/tournament/to- urnament-fixtures.php
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