Gokulam Kerala and Mohammedan Sporting will face each other in I-League 2022-23 opener on 12th Nov

Ravish Narvekar

The 12 teams' league will be played on a home & away basis after a gap of two seasons.

The defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC and runners-up Mohammedan Sporting Club will face each other in the opening match of the I-League 2022-23 in Malappuram at Payyanad Stadium on Saturday, 12th November 2022, 4:30PM.

In the other matches of the first round, Imphal-based NEROCA FC will host Real Kashmir FC at Khuman Lampak Stadium on 13th November, while 14th November will witness a double header as Sudeva Delhi FC will take on Kenkre FC at Chhatrasal Stadium, New Delhi and RoundGlass Punjab will host Sreenidi Deccan FC at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, in Panchkhula. The next day will also see two fixtures as Aizawl FC will host play TRAU FC at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl, while Churchill Brothers FC will take on Rajasthan United FC at GMC Bambolim Athletic Stadium, Goa.

Complete Fixtures of I-League 2022-23

he All India Football Federation has released the fixtures of all 22 rounds, except for the dates of the last two rounds. A total of 12 teams will participate in the league where, once again, the home & away format will be followed after a gap of two seasons. All the teams will play atleast 11 matches at their home stadium this season.

Rajasthan United FC will ply their trade from Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi, whereas, the return of the old format with Mumbai outfit Kenkre FC in it, brings back joy to Mumbai fans as the Cooperage will witness high profile matches of the league after many years.

Amongst other teams, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC will share Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. Mohammedan will host their matches at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata and  Sreenidi Deccan FC at Deccan Arena, Hyderabad. The valley will also witness some high profile football this season as Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar will host matches for Real Kashmir FC.

Kenkre, who were relegated last season, are included in the league to fill the place of Indian Arrows. The Federation-owned team was removed from the league this season.

It is also understood that the winners of the league will represent India in the AFC Cup 2024. However, the place in next season's Indian Super League for the I League winners is yet to be confirmed.