The All-India Football Federation has initiated the bid procedure to add more clubs to the Hero I-League.
Interested clubs or entities can bid to join the I-League as sole representative from the cities which do not have any team playing in the professional club based tournament.
Bids can be submitted to own an I-League club in cities like New Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, amongst others, according to an AIFF media release.
Cubs or teams desiring to join the I-League can purchase the invitation to tender from the Football House in Delhi between June 10 and June 20. The bid documents will cost ₹ 4 lakh.
The successful bidders will be able to join the league from the 2020-21 season. The clubs, subject to qualification and fulfilment of the eligibility criteria, will also have the opportunity to compete in the AFC club competitions.
“As per the invitation to tender, the entity that wins the bid will be granted the right to own and operate a new football club from 2020 onwards. The aforementioned club will have the opportunity (if applicable, and subject to qualification) to also compete in the AFC club competitions,” the release said.
The previous season of the I-League saw 11 clubs, including AIFF’s developmental outfit Indian Arrows, take part in the competition.
Champions Mohun Bagan will not be defending their title in the next season as they are set to merge with ATK and will play in the Indian Super League (ISL) next season.