National Football League (India)


The National Football League was an association football league competition in India between 1996 and 2007 which was organised into three divisions. The league is now known as the I-League and continues with that name. The Premier Division of the league was first introduced in 1996, though the country already had a long history in the sport thanks to the likes of the IFA Shield and the Federation Cup. In fact, the Santosh Trophy was the top football competition in the country before the then National Football League started.
A Second Division was added to the league in 1997, as Football in India grew to challenge cricket for the title of India's most popular sport. Between the divisions each year two teams were relegated and two teams were promoted. By 2006 a Third Division was added but that did not matter as by this time this would be the last year for the NFL; it was replaced in 2007 by the I-League which focuses on completely turning Indian football into a professional sport.

Sponsors

PeriodSponsorTournament Name
1996–98 Philips National Football League
1998-01 Coca-Cola National Football League
2001–02 Tata National Football League
2002–03ONGC National Football League

List of Champions

All-time NFL member clubs

Original 12 Clubs

In order of their promotion to the First Division.