The I-League is one of the first-tier elite football leagues in India. The competition is officially called the Hero I-League due to Hero MotoCorp’s sponsorship. It is presently being competed for by 13 clubs from all throughout the country.
Although the All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently gave the Indian Super League—a ‘closed’ league played among private franchises—the status of India’s premier football competition, I-League football continues to be highly popular among sports fans.
The said popularity stems from the fact that it taps into the grass-root level and offers great stories, besides intense football action, from clubs across India. Now in its 14th edition, the I-League is set to roll after riding a storm that threatened the existence of the competition and the clubs in it.
Gokulam Kerala are the current I-League champions. The champion of the I-League 2021-22 will be promoted to the Indian Super League 2022–23 on merit and will be eligible for the AFC Cup in 2023. I-League 2021-22 will start in December and will be played behind closed doors in Kolkata.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Host country:
India
Administrator:
All India Football Federation
Confederation:
AFC
Firstedition:
2007
Relegation to:
I-League 2nd Division
Numberof teams:
13
Defending champion:
Gokulam Kerala
Most championships:
Dempo (3; won 2 National Football League titles prior to I-League formation)
Top goalscorer:
Ranti Martins (214)
BEST I-LEAGUE BETTING WEBSITES
Do note that football is often referred to as soccer at online bookmakers. When it comes to I-League betting options for Indians, we recommend 22Bet.
Each site brings something to the table for sports betting. In all, 22Bet is our favorite site all around for online betting because they offer a full array of sports betting options as well as casinos and poker. Furthermore, they are also one of the easiest to deposit with.
Here is our list of the top betting platforms for the I-League:
Restrictions for all offers may apply, see terms and conditions for details. Must be 18 years or older. Gamble responsibly.
I-LEAGUE FOOTBALL BETTING: HOW TO DEPOSIT
When depositing from India, we recommend using e-wallets: in particular, Neteller and Skrill. You can find more on our dedicated pages (Skrill and Neteller), but to summarize, they work like online bank accounts.
You can load money onto your e-wallet using several methods including credit/debit cards and bank transfers (wire transfers). Once you have loaded money onto your e-wallet, you will be able to deposit and withdraw using this e-wallet with any betting sites that accept these methods. 22Bet accepts Skrill and Neteller. They also directly accept INR!
A total of 13 teams will compete in I-League 2021-22.
AIZAWL FC
Representing region: Aizawl, Mizoram
Home ground: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
Head coach: TBD
Captain: Alfred Jaryan
Roster
Goalkeepers: H Lalremruata, Vanlalhritpuia, Lalawmpuia
Defenders: Lalbiakzuala, Lalramhmunmawia, Lalhriatrenga, SR Lallawmawma, Juuko Richard Kassaga, Joe Zoherliana, Melory Laldinsanga, Lalchungnunga, C Lalrosanga, Kingsley Obumneme
Midfielders: Paul Ramfangzauva, K Lalhmangaihkima, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Alfred Kemah Jaryan, Sangdingliana, Peter Lalduhawma, Rochharzela, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Lalrinfela, Jesse Laldinpuia
Forwards: Techi Tatra, Jonathan Lalrawngbawla, F Lalremsanga, David Lalhlansanga, PC Lalhriatpuia, William Lalnunfela
CHENNAI CITY FC
Representing region: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Home ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Head coach: Satyasagara
Captain: Charles Anandraj
Roster
Goalkeepers: N Garcia, K Thaufiq, D Jerome, T Standup
Defenders: S Alam, P Mariyadasan, SK Gopalakrishnan, Kiran Das, R Eslava, A Kumar, C Cletus
Midfielders: Vijay N, S Eugene, S Boopathi, S John, R Soosaidimai, S Rajapandi, J Francis, L Mithran, V Thomas, A Cader, K Yusa, P Raju, M Thangalakath, C Lourdusamy, K Govindswamy
Forwards: S Rodriguez, A Mohaideeen, S Pasha, R Singh Pandre, V Kumar Velmurugan, M Kumar Gajendran, P Manzi, F Miranda
CHURCHILL BROTHERS FC GOA
Representing region: Margao, Goa
Home ground: Fatorda Stadium
Head coach: Petre Gigiu
Captain: TBD
Roster
Goalkeepers: James Kithan, Sukhdev Patil, Kunzang Bhutia
Defenders: Rowlinson Rodrigues, Robert Primus, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Vanlalduatsanga, Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei
Defenders: Naocha Singh, Ashok Singh, Wungngayam Muirang, Andre Ettienne, Mohammed Irshad, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Mohamed Salah, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Jestin George, Sanju, Alex Saji, Zohib Islam Amiri
Midfielders: Bruno Pelissari, Muhammed Rashid, Mayakkannan, Nathaniel Garcia, Shibil Muhammed, Myron Mendes, Lalmuanzova
Forwards: Rahul KP, Marcus Joseph, Malemngamba Meitei, Salman K, Lalromawia, Henry Kisekka, Lalliansanga
Forwards: Khundongbam Krishnananda Singh, Julio Cesar, Princewell Emeka, Marcel Sacramento, Bedashwor Singh, Laishram Premjit Singh, Robert Goncalves Santos
BRIEF HISTORY OF I-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
The I-League began in 2007 and was, until recently, the premier pro league for football in India. It was created after the National Football League was disbanded. The National Football League had been instituted in 1996 with the aim of professionalizing football in India. But after 11 seasons, it was replaced by the I-League. Like its predecessor, the I-League intends to professionalize and popularise the game and spread it across the country.
Football in India is not as popular as cricket. However, it experienced a small rise in popularity since the 2011 AFC Asian Cup where the India National Football Team took part. Even though they did not finish very high, many were proud of their team and the sport’s popularity—which is already high in states like West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—grew following the tournament.
Betting on I-League remains extremely popular among those interested in sports betting in India. To summarise, it seems that this trend will continue as the popularity of football continues to rise.
