Rajasthan United FC Set to Launch IFL Campaign on March 1 with New Format
The Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC), based in Jaipur, is gearing up for its Indian Football League (IFL) campaign, which will commence on March 1, 2025. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) officially announced the fixtures for the IFL 2025-26 season on Monday, outlining a revamped two-stage structure designed to enhance competition and excitement.
RUFC's Initial Matches and Home Opener Details
RUFC will start their season with a series of away games. Their first match is scheduled against Shillong Lajong FC on March 1, followed by a clash with Aizawl FC on March 6. The team's highly anticipated home opener will take place on March 13 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur, where they will face Namdhari FC. Out of a total of nine matches in the initial stage, RUFC will play five games at home, providing local fans with ample opportunities to support their squad.
IFL 2025-26 Season Structure and Format
The IFL 2025-26 season will kick off on February 27, featuring two opening-day matches: Namdhari FC vs Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC. This season introduces a two-stage format to determine the champion and promotion contender.
- Stage 1: All 10 participating clubs will compete in a single-leg, home-and-away round-robin format. This phase ensures each team faces every other team once, either at home or away.
- Stage 2: Teams will be divided into two groups based on their Stage 1 performance. The top half advances to a home-and-away championship round, while the bottom half enters a centralised relegation round. Crucially, all points from Stage 1 carry over to maintain competitive integrity throughout the season.
Promotion and Championship Implications
At the conclusion of Stage 2, the league toppers will be crowned the IFL champions and earn promotion to the Indian Super League for the 2026-27 season. This promotion opportunity adds significant stakes to the competition, motivating clubs to perform at their peak. The IFL, formerly known as the I-League, serves as the second tier of men's professional football in India, acting as a crucial pathway to the top flight.
Complete Stage 1 Fixtures for Rajasthan United FC
RUFC's schedule for Stage 1 of the IFL 2025-26 season is as follows:
- March 1: RUFC vs Shillong Lajong FC (Away)
- March 6: RUFC vs Aizawl FC (Away)
- March 13: RUFC vs Namdhari FC (Home)
- March 17: RUFC vs Real Kashmir FC (Home)
- March 26: RUFC vs Diamond Harbour FC (Home)
- April 1: RUFC vs Chanmari FC (Home)
- April 7: RUFC vs Gokulam Kerala FC (Home)
- April 12: RUFC vs Sreenidi Deccan FC (Away)
- April 19: RUFC vs Dempo Sports Club (Away)
This fixture list highlights a balanced mix of home and away challenges, with key matches that could define RUFC's season trajectory. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the team adapts to the new format and competes for a spot in the championship round.
