The Indian Women’s League (IWL) returns for its 10th edition on November 13, with defending champions East Bengal FC looking to extend their dominance and become the first club to win three consecutive titles.
The Lxme Indian Women’s League 2026-27 season will feature eight teams competing across 56 matches in a double round-robin format, with the campaign concluding on January 23, 2027. Kalyani, Jamshedpur and Bengaluru will host the competition across three phases.
The new season opens with a blockbuster encounter between two-time defending champions East Bengal and three-time former winners Gokulam Kerala at the Kalyani Stadium on November 13.
The fixture offers an early opportunity for Gokulam to measure their progress against the side that has taken over their position at the summit of Indian women’s football.
East Bengal aim for a historic hat-trick
East Bengal enter the new campaign as the team to beat after an outstanding 2025-26 season. The Kolkata-based club collected 39 points from 14 matches, recording 13 victories and just one defeat to secure the championship.
They also scored 47 goals while conceding only five, underlining their dominance at both ends of the pitch.
Head coach Anthony Andrews, who previously guided Gokulam Kerala to domestic success, will once again lead the defending champions. East Bengal have also established themselves on the continental stage, becoming the first Indian club to reach the knockout stages of the AFC Women’s Champions League in the current competition cycle.
Their ambitions extend beyond retaining the domestic crown. With the club having established itself as a major force in Indian women’s football, a third consecutive IWL title would further strengthen its position.
East Bengal will rely on the attacking threat of Fazila Ikwaput, who finished as the league’s leading scorer last season with 20 goals. Soumya Guguloth, who scored 10 goals, will also be an important part of their attacking setup.
Speaking ahead of the season, Andrews stressed the importance of maintaining the team’s existing core and mentality.
“The key for our success as a team is the core we have and the mindset that we’ve inculcated in the players. We’ll be ruthless and our aim is to defend our title in great style this season,” he said.
Gokulam Kerala eye a return to the top
While East Bengal have enjoyed consecutive title-winning campaigns, Gokulam Kerala remain one of the most successful clubs in the history of the competition.
The Kozhikode-based club have won the IWL three times, in 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2022-23. They have also been instrumental in developing players for the Indian national team and were the first Indian club to participate in the AFC Women’s Club Championship in 2021, finishing third.
However, the emergence of East Bengal has changed the domestic landscape, leaving Gokulam with the challenge of reclaiming their former dominance.
Under head coach Raman Vijayan, Gokulam have made changes to their squad, including the addition of foreign players, as they look to build a team capable of challenging for the championship.
Five Gokulam players are currently part of the national team setup, highlighting the club’s continued contribution to Indian women’s football.
Captain Baby Lalchhandami believes the team have the potential to return to the top after their recent title drought.
“We are here to bring Gokulam back where it belongs. The team has heart. We are young players, and I think you will be able to see that on the pitch,” she told Read.
Gokulam will face East Bengal in the opening match, giving them an immediate opportunity to test themselves against the defending champions.
A competitive field of eight teams
Beyond the two former champions, the new season features several clubs looking to make their mark.
Sethu FC finished second last season with 25 points, while Kickstart FC secured third place with 21 points. Nita Football Academy finished fourth with 20 points, followed by Gokulam Kerala and Garhwal United.
Two new teams have also earned promotion from IWL 2. HOPS FC return to the top division after winning the second-tier competition, while Juba Sangha FC make their first-ever appearance in the IWL after finishing as runners-up.
Both clubs will be looking to establish themselves against more experienced opposition.
The expanded geographical representation of the competition, with clubs based across different regions, also provides an opportunity for players from different footballing backgrounds to compete at the highest domestic level.
Capri Sports partnership brings a new commercial phase
The 2026-27 season marks an important development in the commercial structure of Indian women’s football.
Capri Sports, the sports arm of Capri Global, has entered into a 15-year partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to lead the commercial development and marketing of the IWL and IWL 2.
Lxme has also come on board as the league’s first-ever title sponsor, with the competition now carrying the name Lxme Indian Women’s League.
The long-term partnership aims to strengthen the league’s commercial value, improve visibility for clubs and players, and attract greater investment into women’s football.
All 56 matches will be streamed live and free on the league’s official YouTube channel, making the competition accessible to football fans across the country.
The new season will also feature evening kick-offs throughout the campaign, while the continuous schedule is designed to avoid a lengthy mid-season break.
These developments come at a significant time for Indian women’s football, with greater attention being placed on the domestic game following the recent achievements of Indian clubs and national teams.
Squad lists for IWL 2026-27
(The full squad list will be updated as and when teams announce their squads)
East Bengal FC
Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Sarangthem Khambi Chanu, Mamani Das, Pratima Bagdi, Sikha Saren, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Astam Oraon, Sarita Yumnam, Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, Sushmita Lepcha, Supriya Kispotta, Rubina Khatun, Bandana Roy, Sathi Debnath, Deblina Bhattacharjee, Hemam Shilky Devi, Riya Duley, Birsi Oraon, Kayenpaibam Anju Chanu, Guguloth Soumya, Sandhya Maity, Sulanjana Raul, Pritika Barman, Shrabani Murmu, Rimpa Haldar, Naorem Priyangka Devi
Gokulam Kerala FC
Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya N, Laya Balasubramanian, Arifa Zaheer Sayed, Baby Lalchhandami Ralte, Phoeby Okech Owiti, TH Sahena, Shubhangi Singh, Theertha Lakshmi E, Trisha Mallick, Greeshma MP, Chingakham Alina, Lourembam Menaka Devi, Renu, Priyanka Kashyap, Arathy PM, Remi Thokchom, Mousumi Murmu, Priyasa Sarkar, Vanessa Mbinho Chikupila, Priyadharshini, Amisha Baxla, Shilji Shaji, Djafari Asha
BBFS Garhwal United Football Club
Jyotsna Bara, Ribansi Jamu, Sharubam Anika Devi, Yumlembam Pakpi Devi, Catherine Arthur, Heirangkhongjam Linda Chanu, Ernestina Tetteh, Fragrancy Riwan, Khumukcham Sanamija Chanu, Jyoti, Alka Indwar, Deepika Pal, Bonifilia Snongrum, Bonifilia Shullai Aarti, Esther Tingjoukim Haokip, Elizabeth Danso, Lhingdeikim Kipgen, Monisha Singha, Anita Dungdung, Nidhi, Shruti Kumari, Bobita Pachi
HOPS Football Club
Khushi, Manisha, Shruti Jadaun, Nandani Kumari, Tamanna, Heena Khatun, Shivani Toppo, Sapna, Sonia, Ritu, Samiksha, Muskan, Himanshi, Khushbu, Elijabed Ekka, Khushbu Linda, Mamta, Santosh, Shailja, Vunglawmching, Shveta Rani, Pooja, Reena Kumari, Saloni, Shekha Kumari, Sabra Khatun
Juba Sangha FC
Manisha, Preeti, Soniya, Samaira Sharma, Kavita, Ritu Devi, Poonam, Naina, Sneha, Kusum, Samiksha, Vandana, Varsha, Kanchan Rawat, Kiran, Asha, Komal, Khushbu, Nidhu, Vipanshi, Nisha, Manisha, Nitu, Gayatri Devi, Laxmi, Khushi, Rekha, Soniya, Lavanya Shukla, Shinu
Kickstart FC Karnataka
Maibam Lintoingambi Devi, Adrija Sarkhel, Aiswarya Arumugam, Wangkhem Lintoingambi Devi, Thingbaijam Sanjita Devi, Afreen Peerbhoy, Nimita Gurung, Abhista Basnett, Aruna Bag, Payel Layek, Julan Nongmaithem, Ipham Romina Begum, Monalisha Marandi, Konthoujam Daina Devi, Manasa K, Nameirakpam Arina Devi, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Oinam Babita Devi, Laishram Naotombi Devi, Ningthoujam Olivia Chanu, Janvi Sahu, Anushka Kumari, Dharshini Devi R, Longjam Nira Chanu, Ngashepam Pinku Devi
Nita Football Academy
Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Sakro Hembram, Susmita Pun, Joyce Asamoah, Elizabed Lakra, Pratima Bangal, Viksit Bara, K. Ngopawdi, Ritu Badaik, Khundongbam Ambalika, Khumukcham Bhumika Devi, Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Tamanna Sillay, Ipshita Rout, Abigail Amorh, Lipi Kishan, Thandamoni Baskey, Neha, Kadidja Ibrahim Teme, Rukmani Murmu, Nongmeikapam Sibani. Devi, Shikha Malik
Sethu Madurai
Nandini, Munni, Hempriya Seram, Purnima Kumari, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Dhurga Perumal, T Hoshika, Thokchom Martina, Shaikh Naaz Jahirabbas, Barot Bhartiben Chhaganbhai, Emmanuella Adzi, Sangita Basfore, Lisham Babina Devi, Grace H Lalrampari, Lhingneilam Kipgen, Musken Subba, Thingbaijam Babysana Devi, Rivka Ramji, Juanita Aguadze, Shubhangi Subba. Sushmita Jadhav, Serto Lynda Kom, Anwita Raghuraman, Malavika P, Sumati Kumari, Yumlam Lali, Pushpa Parab, Sandhiya, Apurna Narzary, Victoire Biatholi Maimouna