Reliance Foundation Development League Explained

Reliance Foundation Development League
Upright:2
Country:India
Organisers:Reliance Foundation
All India Football Federation
Levels:Youth
Teams:61+
Confed Cup:Next Gen Cup
Champions:Punjab (1st title)
Most Successful Club:Bengaluru (2 titles)[1] [2]
Tv:Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (YouTube)
Website:RFDL
Current:2025

The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) is India's Youth Football league organised by the Reliance Foundation in technical support with the AIFF.[3] A total of 60+ teams participates in the tournament.[4] The league was founded to offer opportunities to the young players across the country.[5]

Background

In June 2021 it was proposed after a meeting of the AIFF and CEOs of all the ISL clubs that a new developmental competition called Reliance Foundation Development League would be introduced in 2022.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Player eligibility

Seasons

See main article: Reliance Foundation Development League Teams.

SeasonZonesClubs
202218
2023959
2024857

Teams

2022 Season :

A total of eight teams competed in a single round basis.[9] A total of 28 matches were played.

ClubsVenue
Bengaluru FCNagoa Panchayat Ground,Nagoa
Benaulim Ground,Benaulim
Chennaiyin FC
FC Goa
Jamshedpur FC
Kerala Blasters FC
Mumbai City FC
Hyderabad FC
Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC)

2023 :

59 Teams were divided into 9 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 4–8 teams.

State/RegionVenueClubs
Assam-MeghalayaMeghalaya Football Ground, ShillongMalki SC
Mawlai SC
NorthEast United FC
Rangdajied United FC
Ryntih FC
Shillong Lajong FC
EastBarrackpore Stadium, Barrackpore
Kalyani Stadium, Kalyani
Naihati Stadium, Naihati
Mohun Bagan SG
East Bengal FC
Jamshedpur FC
Mohammedan SC
New Alipore Suruchi Sangha
Odisha FC
United SC
GoaMonte de Guirim Ground, Guirim
SESA Football Ground, Sirsaim
Dempo Academy Ground, Ella
Churchill Brothers FC Goa
Dempo SC
FC Goa
Salgaocar FC
SESA FA
Velsao SCC
KeralaMaharajas College Stadium, Ernakulam
Panampilly Ground, Kochi
FC Areekode
Gokulam Kerala FC
FC Kerala
Kerala Blasters FC
Kovalam FC
LIFFA
Muthoot FA
Parappur FC
ManipurLoitang Football Arena, Imphal
Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong
SAI Ground, Takyel
Classic FA
Football 4 Change Academy
North Eastern Sporting Union
Pehlum Lamhil Lawm
Poloi FC
SAI-RC
Social Development Club
Wangoi FA
MizoramRajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl
AR Lammual, Aizawl
1st Bn MAP Football Academy
Chanmari FC
Chanmari West FC
Chawnpui FC
Ramthar Veng FC
SYS Football Club
MumbaiNeville D'Souza Football Turf, BandraIndia Rush Soccer Club
Iron Born FC
Kenkre FC
Mumbai City FC
PIFA Sports FC
Reliance Foundation Young Champs
North21 Raj Niwas, Civil Lines, DelhiGarhwal FC
Rajasthan United FC
RoundGlass Punjab FC
Sudeva Delhi FC
SouthBangalore Football Stadium, BengaluruBengaluru FC
FC Bengaluru United
Chennaiyin FC
Kickstart FC
FC Mangalore
Mohammden Sporting FC
Roots FC
Sreenidi Deccan

2024 season 2024

57 Teams were divided into 8 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 5–9 teams.[10] [11]

State/RegionVenueClubs
EastAdamas United SA
East Bengal FC
Jamshedpur FC
Kalighat Milan Sangha
Mohammedan SC
Mohun Bagan SG
Odisha FC
United SC
GoaDempo SC
FC Goa
FC Mardol
Geno FC
Pax of Nagoa SC
SESA FA
Siddheshwar SCC
Sporting Goa
KeralaGokulam Kerala
Kerala Blasters
Kovalam FC
LiFFA
Muthoot FA
Parappur FC
SAI Kollam
Wayanad United FC
Meghalaya-AssamMeghalaya Football Ground, Shillong4 for all FA
Little Stars Academy
Mawlai SC
NorthEast United FC
Pay for right FA
Shillong Lajong FC
Mizoram1st Bn. MAP Ground, Aizawl1st Bn MAP Football Academy
Home Missions FC
Inkhel FC
Kulikawn FC
Muthi FC
MumbaiCommunity Football Club India
Glorious Mothers FC
India Rush Soccer Club
Iron Born FC
Kenkre FC
Millat
Mumbai City
Oranje
RFYC
NorthAIPL FC
Delhi FC
Punjab FC
Rajasthan United FC
Sudeva Delhi FC
ZINC FA
SouthBengaluru FC
Chennaiyin FC
Kickstart FC
Rebels FC
Roots FC
Snipers FC
Sreenidi Deccan

Champions

Successful clubs by seasons

SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird placeTeams
2022Bengaluru (1/2)Kerala BlastersHyderabad8
2023Bengaluru (2/2)Sudeva DelhiMohun Bagan59
2024PunjabEast BengalMuthoot FA 57

Performance by clubs

Club Titles Runners-up Third place Winning seasons Runners-up seasons Third place seasons
Bengaluru2002022, 2023
Punjab1002024
Kerala Blasters0102022
Sudeva Delhi0102023
East Bengal0102024
Hyderabad0012022
Mohun Bagan0012023
Muthoot FA 0012024

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bengaluru FC crowned RFDL Champion after a thrilling title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC. 14 May 2023. 15 May 2023. indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. 14 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230514203832/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/bengaluru-fc-crowned-rfdl-champion-after-a-thrilling-title-defence-against-sudeva-delhi-fc.
  2. Web site: Bengaluru FC Crowned RFDL Champion After A Thrilling Title Defence Against Sudeva Delhi FC. JE. Sports Desk. 14 May 2023. 15 May 2023. english.jagran.com. Jagaran English. New Delhi. https://web.archive.org/web/20230515050829/https://english.jagran.com/sports/bengaluru-fc-crowned-rfdl-champion-after-a-thrilling-title-defence-against-sudeva-delhi-fc-10077940. 15 May 2023.
  3. Web site: Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15. 7 April 2022. 6 May 2022. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815170944/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/seven-hero-isl-clubs-to-join-rfyc-in-inaugural-reliance-foundation-development-league-from-april-15. live.
  4. Web site: All you need to know about the RF Development League 2022. 8 April 2022. 6 May 2022. 15 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220415172422/https://khelnow.com/football/reliance-foundation-rf-development-league-fixtures-schedule-venue-teams. live.
  5. Web site: Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15. 7 April 2022. 6 May 2022. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815170944/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/seven-hero-isl-clubs-to-join-rfyc-in-inaugural-reliance-foundation-development-league-from-april-15. live.
  6. Web site: Bangde. Arjun. 2021-06-30. ISL to propose a new league for reserve and U-21 players. 2021-12-06. Football Counter. en-US. 6 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206160539/https://www.footballcounter.com/2021/isl-to-propose-a-new-league-for-reserve-and-u-21-players/. live.
  7. Web site: Marcus Mergulhao. Jun 30, 2021. ISL proposes new league for reserve, U-21 players Goa News - Times of India. 2021-12-06. The Times of India. en. 6 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206184322/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/isl-proposes-new-league-for-reserve-u-21-players/articleshow/83967398.cms. live.
  8. Web site: Hygiene officers and four sets of training protocols - What could be the 'new normal' during ISL 2020-21? Goal.com. 2021-12-06. www.goal.com. en. 6 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206160536/https://www.goal.com/en/news/indian-football-isl-2020-21-covid-19-training-protocols/12tggep54ckps1s4ha239ipnaa. live.
  9. Web site: Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15. 7 April 2022.
  10. Web site: 2024-02-13 . Reliance Foundation Development League Season 3 to kick off on February 14 . 2024-03-02 . Football Counter . en-US.
  11. Web site: RFDL 3rd season matches kick off in Mizoram . 2024-03-02 . www.prameyanews.com . en.