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IWL 2025-26 Phase 2 Kicks Off April 27 in Kolkata with 29 Matches

The second phase of the Indian Women's League 2025-26 season is set to commence on April 27 in Kolkata, starting with a rescheduled match between East Bengal FC and Sribhumi FC. This phase will feature 29 matches played at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence and the East Bengal Ground through May 18. Defending champions East Bengal FC currently top the standings, while Sesa FA and Kickstart FC are in the relegation positions. The bottom two teams at season's end will be demoted to IWL 2, with the top two from that league earning promotion.

Key Points: Indian Women's League Phase 2 Schedule, Venues, and Standings

  • Phase 2 runs April 27 to May 18
  • 29 matches across two Kolkata venues
  • East Bengal FC leads table with 18 points
  • Bottom two teams face relegation to IWL 2
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IWL 2025-26 phase 2 to kick off on April 27 in Kolkata

The second phase of IWL 2025-26 begins April 27 in Kolkata. Defending champions East Bengal FC lead the table. Get the full schedule and relegation battle details.

"The second phase of the Indian Women's League 2025-26 will kick off on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Kolkata. - AIFF"

New Delhi, April 16

The second phase of the Indian Women's League 2025-26 will kick off on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Kolkata.

The proceedings will start with East Bengal FC versus Sribhumi FC, a fixture rescheduled from Phase 1, at the East Bengal Ground on April 27 at 19:00 IST.

Phase 1, which was held from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026, saw 27 matches. The league took a hiatus of more than three months to allow player availability for the senior and U20 women's national teams camps and the AFC Women's Asian Cup in March and the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup in April.

A further 29 matches will be played in Phase 2 from April 27 to May 18, with the eight teams playing each other in the second leg of the double round-robin format of the league. The matches will be played in two venues - AIFF National Centre of Excellence and the East Bengal Ground. All matches will kick off at 15:00 and 19:00 IST.

Defending champions East Bengal FC are currently at the top of the table with 18 points from six games, while Sesa FA and Kickstart FC occupy the relegation spots with one and six points, respectively. The team with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned champions.

On the other hand, the seventh and eighth-placed sides will be relegated to IWL 2 next season. The top two teams from IWL 2 2025-26 final round will be promoted to IWL 2026-27.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a football fan living in Kolkata, I'm excited! The East Bengal Ground is a great venue. Hope the local crowd comes out to support the women's teams. We need to build a proper fan culture for women's sports in India.
P
Priya S
The relegation battle will be intense. Sesa FA with just 1 point needs a miracle. It's good to have a proper promotion/relegation system – it keeps the league competitive. More investment in IWL 2 is also crucial for the ecosystem.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, the scheduling and three-month break highlight a lack of foresight. The league structure feels unstable. Players need consistent game time to develop, not these long gaps. The AIFF must plan the calendar better around international windows.
R
Rohit P
Finally! Been waiting for this. Hope the matches get good broadcast coverage. Our women footballers are so talented but need more visibility. Let's go, East Bengal! 🟥🟨
M
Michael C
Interesting format. A double round-robin is good for fairness. Are the matches going to be streamed online for fans outside Kolkata? That would really help grow the league's following across the country.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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