The much-anticipated 2026-27 season of I-League 3, India's fourth-tier men's football league, is set to kick off on October 22, 2026. A total of 19 clubs will battle it out across four venues in a single round-robin format, promising an exciting display of grassroots football talent.

The group stage matches will commence with Groups B and C on October 22. Group A will begin its campaign on October 26, while Group D matches are slated to start on November 1. The intense group stage action will culminate on November 9.

Group A, featuring TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, Southern Sporting Union, and KLASA FC, will play at Imphal's Khuman Lampak Stadium. Rudrapur's Amenity Football Academy will host Group B teams: Garhwal Heroes FC, Sher-e-Punjab SC, Corbett FC, Techtro Swades United FC, and Ghaziabad City FC.

Shillong's SSA Stadium will be the battleground for Group C, comprising Kuppuraj FC, Lakecity FC, Nongkseh SS&CC, Godavari FC, and Chhaygaon FC. Finally, Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa, will see Group D action with Kickstart FC, RT Boys FC, GOG FCC, Zinc Football Academy, and Clube de Salgaocar.

This season offers a clear pathway to higher leagues. The four group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to a six-team play-off. The top two teams from these play-offs will then earn a coveted promotion to the 2027-28 I-League 2 season, following in the footsteps of Baghpat FC and FC Raengdai who were promoted last season.

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