# Indian sports wrap: 19 clubs in I-League 3 2026-27

> I-League 3 2026-27 kicks off with 19 clubs split into four groups.
- Title: Indian sports wrap: 19 clubs in I-League 3 2026-27 · Sportstar
- Summary: I-League 3 2026-27 kicks off with 19 clubs split into four groups. Nineteen Indian football clubs will compete in I-League 3's 2026-27 season, divided into…
- Keywords: i-league, i-league 3, 2026-27, football, india, clubs, group stage, i-league 2, promotions, sports, Indian, wrap
- Source: Sportstar — https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/indian-sports-wrap-october-22-today-thursday-latest-updates-highlights-scores-results/article71610650.ece
- Author: Team Sportstar
- Published: 2026-10-22T15:30:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: i-league, i-league 3, 2026-27, football, india, clubs, group stage, i-league 2, promotions, sports
## I-League 3 2026-27 season
Nineteen clubs will compete in the 2026-27 I-League 3 season, the fourth tier of India's men's football league system.
## Group stage schedule
Group-stage matches begin October 22 with Groups B and C starting, while Group A begins October 26 and Group D on November 1.
## Group stage duration
The group-stage fixtures conclude on November 9, after a single round-robin format within each group.
## Promotion rules
Four group winners and two best second-placed teams qualify for the six-team play-offs to promote to I-League 2.
## 2025-26 promotion
Baghpat FC and FC Raengdai were promoted from I-League 3 to I-League 2 in the 2025-26 season.
## Group A venues
Group A matches at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, Manipur, feature TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, Southern Sporting Union, and KLASA FC.
## Group B venues
Group B matches at Amenity Football Academy in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, include Corbett FC, Techtro Swades United FC, Ghaziabad City FC, Sher-e-Punjab SC, and Garhwal Heroes FC.
## Group C venues
Group C matches at SSA Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya, feature Lakecity FC, Godavari FC, Nongkseh SS&CC, Kuppuraj FC, and Chhaygaon FC.
## Group D venues
Group D matches at Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa, include Clube de Salgaocar, Zinc Football Academy, RT Boys FC, GOG FCC, and Kickstart FC.
## Key takeaway

Nineteen Indian football clubs will compete in I-League 3's 2026-27 season, divided into four groups with group-stage matches starting October 22.