The 2024-25 season is set to bring a new format for India’s Super Cup, the country’s premier knock-out football tournament, which also provides an opportunity to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League 2. According to sources from the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the new format will mirror the structure of the FA Cup in England. This adjustment will extend the tournament window to over seven months and will see the Super Cup running concurrently with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the second-tier I-League.
The specifics of the tournament’s format, including the exact changes that will be implemented, are expected to be revealed at a later date. It is worth noting that the FA Cup in England is the oldest national football competition globally, with participation open to clubs from all 10 tiers of the footballing pyramid in England, ranging from the Premier League sides to lower division teams.
In the previous edition of the Super Cup, 16 clubs competed in the group stage in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with ISL clubs entering directly into the group stage, while I-League sides had to play qualifiers for the remaining spots. The group stage featured four groups of four teams each, with the top team from each group advancing to the semifinals.
The ultimate victor of the Super Cup earns a coveted spot in the AFC Champions League 2, mirroring the way the FA Cup winning team secures a berth in the UEFA Europa League. Additionally, the AIFF has announced the commencement of the 11th edition of the ISL on September 14, scheduled to run until April 30, 2025, whereas the I-League will be played between October 19 and April 30. The upcoming season’s senior competition calendar also includes the Durand Cup, the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship, and the Indian Women’s League, with all senior leagues anticipated to conclude by the end of April next year, as decided by the AIFF executive committee.
