AIFF Youth Leagues
by All India Football Federation (AIFF)
₹5,00,000 cash prize
AIFF Youth Leagues is a competition by All India Football Federation (AIFF) for children aged 12 to 17, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Duration
A multi-month season
Format
Team · Teams of 18
Time needed
Regular matches across zonal and national rounds over the season
About this opportunity
The AIFF Youth Leagues are the national age-group football competitions organised by the All India Football Federation for teams fielded by affiliated clubs and academies across India. They form the country's main development pathway for young footballers.
The leagues are split into age-group divisions: a Sub-Junior League, a Junior League, and the flagship Elite Youth League. Clubs and AIFF-accredited academies enter their age-group squads, which first compete in regional zonal groups on a home-and-away basis. The best-performing teams then advance to a national final round of group and knockout matches to decide each title.
Beyond trophies, the leagues exist to find and develop talent. Strong performances put players in front of scouts and national selectors and open a route into professional youth setups, AIFF Elite Academies, and India's age-group national teams. Every player must be registered through their club on the AIFF Centralised Registration System to be eligible.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12 to 17 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Entry is through AIFF-affiliated clubs and accredited academies, not individual entry.
Prerequisites
- Player registered with an AIFF-affiliated club or accredited academy
- Player enrolled on the AIFF Centralised Registration System
- Age within the division's birth-year band
Entry is through clubs and AIFF-accredited academies, not individual sign-up. Each side fields players within its age band: the Sub-Junior League for under-14 players, the Junior League for under-16 players, and the Elite Youth League for under-18 players. Boys' and girls' age-group teams take part, and every player must be registered through their club on the AIFF Centralised Registration System.
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Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
Age-group football played in regional zonal leagues that feed into a national final round.
Rewards and recognition
Prizes
League title and winners' trophy
The champion team receives the prestigious league title, winners' trophy, and gold medals. The runner-up team receives a trophy and silver medals. Additionally, the winning team is awarded a cash prize of ₹5,00,000.
Certificate
Certificate of Participation from AIFF
Official certificate recognizing participation in the national AIFF Youth Leagues, valuable for future footballing and academic pursuits.
Recognized by
Career pathways
Strong performances put players in front of scouts and national selectors, opening a path to professional youth teams, AIFF Elite Academies, and India's age-group national sides.
Recognition
National youth football platform
Skills your child builds
Rounds & format
Teams first play in regional zonal groups on a home-and-away basis. The best-performing teams from across the zones advance to a national final round made up of group matches followed by knockout rounds to decide the title.
Selection process
Teams advance on league performance in their zonal group. Top teams qualify for the national final round, where group results and knockout matches determine the champion.
How to apply
- 1Clubs and academies obtain AIFF affiliation or academy accreditation
- 2Eligible players are registered through the club on the AIFF Centralised Registration System
- 3The club enters its age-group squad for the relevant division
- 4The team competes in its assigned regional zonal group
- 5Qualifying teams advance to the national final round
Fees & financial support
Fee details
There is no individual entry fee. Teams are entered by AIFF-affiliated clubs and accredited academies, which handle accreditation and player registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is AIFF Youth Leagues free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in AIFF Youth Leagues?
Children aged 12 to 17.
What will my child gain from AIFF Youth Leagues?
Competitive match minutes against the country's strongest academies. Visibility to scouts, coaches, and national selectors. Pathway into professional youth teams and AIFF Elite Academies. Structured, season-long development across zonal and national rounds. National title and trophy for the winning team. ₹5,00,000 cash prize for the winning team. National title, winners' trophy, and gold medals for the champion team. Direct pathway to professional youth teams and AIFF Elite Academies. Opportunity for selection into India's age-group national teams. Competitive match experience against top academies nationwide. Cash Prize of INR 1,50,000 (1.5 Lacs) will be awarded to the runner-up team of the tournament.
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