The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) is a youth football league in India organised by the Reliance Foundation. A total of 60+ teams participates in the tournament. The league was founded to offer opportunities to the young players across the country.
Background In June 2021 it was proposed after a meeting of the FSDL and CEOs of all the ISL clubs that a new developmental competition called Reliance Foundation Development League would be introduced in 2022. This new league would consist of the youth and reserve teams of all the ISL clubs, with aim to develop young players as there has been limited number of competitions and leagues outside the ISL since the pandemic. The teams would predominantly feature U-21 players with few overage players allowed as well. The inaugural season of the proposed two-month league will be held in Goa inside a bio-secure bubble between January and March, following the same medical and safety procedures for 2021–22 ISL season, but got postponed to April 15.
Player eligibility
should be under-21 should be at least 15 at the time of registration permission to include five players aged 21-23, no more than three players are allowed in the playing XI maximum of 24 players no foreign nationals
Seasons
Season Zones Clubs Champions Runners-up Third place202218Bengaluru (1)Kerala BlastersHyderabad2023959Bengaluru (2)Sudeva DelhiMohun Bagan SG2024857PunjabEast BengalMuthoot FA2024–25954Mohun Bagan Classic FAFC Goa2025–26954Bengaluru (3)FC GoaPunjab FC
Teams 2022 season A total of eight teams competed in a single round basis. A total of 28 matches were played.
ClubsBengaluru FCKerala Blasters FCChennaiyin FCMumbai City FCFC GoaHyderabad FCJamshedpur FCReliance Foundation Young Champs
2023 season 59 Teams were divided into 9 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 4–8 teams.
ClubsAssam-Meghalaya ZoneMalki SCMawlai SCNorthEast United FCRangdajied United FCRyntih FCShillong Lajong FCEast ZoneMohun Bagan SGEast Bengal FCJamshedpur FCMohammedan SCNew Alipore Suruchi SanghaOdisha FCUnited SCGoa ZoneChurchill Brothers FC GoaDempo SCFC GoaSalgaocar FCSESA FAVelsao SCCKerala ZoneFC AreekodeGokulam Kerala FCFC KeralaKerala Blasters FCKovalam FCLIFFAMuthoot FAParappur FCManipur ZoneClassic FAFootball 4 Change AcademyNorth Eastern Sporting UnionPehlum Lamhil LawmPoloi FCSAI-RCSocial Development ClubWangoi FAMizoram Zone1st Bn MAP Football AcademyChanmari FCChanmari West FCChawnpui FCRamthar Veng FCSYS Football ClubMumbai ZoneIndia Rush Soccer ClubIron Born FCKenkre FCMumbai City FCPIFA Sports FCReliance Foundation Young ChampsNorth ZoneGarhwal FCRajasthan United FCRoundGlass Punjab FCSudeva Delhi FCSouth ZoneBengaluru FCFC Bengaluru UnitedChennaiyin FCKickstart FCFC MangaloreMohammden Sporting FCRoots FCSreenidi Deccan
2024 season 57 Teams were divided into 8 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 5–9 teams.
ClubsEast ZoneAdamas United SAEast Bengal FCJamshedpur FCKalighat Milan SanghaMohammedan SCMohun Bagan SGOdisha FCUnited SCGoa ZoneDempo SCFC GoaFC MardolGeno FCPax of Nagoa SCSESA FASiddheshwar SCCSporting GoaKerala ZoneGokulam KeralaKerala BlastersKovalam FCLiFFAMuthoot FAParappur FCSAI KollamWayanad United FCMeghalaya-Assam Zone4 for all FALittle Stars AcademyMawlai SCNorthEast United FCPay for right FAShillong Lajong FCMizoram Zone1st Bn MAP Football AcademyHome Missions FCInkhel FCKulikawn FCMuthi FCMumbai ZoneCommunity Football Club IndiaGlorious Mothers FCIndia Rush Soccer ClubIron Born FCKenkre FCMillatMumbai CityOranjeRFYCNorth ZoneAIPL FCDelhi FCPunjab FCRajasthan United FCSudeva Delhi FCZINC FASouth ZoneBengaluru FCChennaiyin FCKickstart FCRebels FCRoots FCSnipers FCSreenidi Deccan
Performance Club Titles Runners-up Third place Winning seasons Runners-up seasons Third place seasonsBengaluru300 Mohun Bagan101 Punjab101 FC Goa011 Kerala Blasters010 Sudeva Delhi010 East Bengal010 Classic FA010 Hyderabad001 Muthoot FA001
See also Junior National Football Championship Football in India Indian football league system Youth League History of Indian football Indian Arrows AIFF Elite Academy Subroto Cup
References