Four State clubs to battle in I-League 3 2026-27 at Khuman Lampak
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 22 2026: The 2026-27 season of I-League 3 is set to kick off its Group A campaign under unique circumstances, turning the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal into a high-stakes arena for an all-Manipur football showdown.

A total of 19 clubs are competing Nationwide across four distinct venues: Imphal (Group A), Rudrapur (Group B), Shillong (Group C), and Mapusa (Group D) .

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that four powerhouse clubs from Manipur - TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, Southern Sporting Union (SSU), and KLASA FC - have all been placed in Group A, guaranteeing an intense, localized battle for promotion.

Group B contains Garhwal Heroes FC, Sher-e-Punjab SC, Corbett FC, Techtro S wades United FC and Ghaziabad City FC.

Fixtures will take place at Amenity Football Academy in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

Kuppuraj FC, Lakecity FC, Nongkseh SS&CC, Godavari FC and Chhaygaon FC are placed in Group C and will play their matches at the SSA Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya.

Group D action is scheduled at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa, and will feature Kickstart FC, RT Boys FC, GOG FCC, Zinc Football Academy and Clube de Salgaocar.

The group-stage matches in Imphal will run from October 26 to October 30, 2026 .

The All-Manipur Derby Group

In a departure from typical multi-State groupings.

Group A functions entirely as a State derby block for Manipuri clubs.

Former top-tier competitors TRAU FC and NEROCA FC find themselves competing alongside local heavyweights Southern Sporting Union and KLASA FC.

The group winner after round robin league receives automatic qualification to the next stage, meaning the four local rivals must eliminate one another to advance.

To progress, the Manipur group teams are chasing a spot in the six-team National play-offs.

This playoff field will consist of the four group winners and the two best second-placed teams across the entire tournament.

Ultimately, the top two teams from the play-offs will secure coveted promotion slots to the 2027-28 I-League 2 season, following in the footsteps of last year's promoted Manipur side, FC Raengdai.

For fans unable to attend the matches at Khuman Lampak Stadium, the AIFF has confirmed that all fixtures will be broadcast live digitally on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.

All Group A matches will be held at the Khuman Lampak Stadium, featuring, double-header matchdays with morning and afternoon kick-offs.

October 26, 2026
9 am: TRAU FC vs KLASA FC
3 pm: NEROCA FC vs SSU

October 28, 2026
9 am: KLASA FC vs SSU
3 pm: TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC

October 30, 2026
9 am: NEROCA FC vs KLASA FC
3 pm: SSU vs TRAU FC

(With inputs from agencies) .

Comment