Calcutta Premier Division (India) 2026/27

Calcutta Premier Division stands as the top-tier state football league in West Bengal. Founded in 1898 by the Indian Football Association, it holds the distinction of being the oldest football league in Asia. While the league feeds into the I-League 3 within the national pyramid, its format differs from standard national structures. The competition divides its 26 clubs into two groups of 13. Teams play a single-leg round-robin within their respective groups. The top three teams from each group advance to a Championship Round to determine the winner. The bottom three teams from each group enter a Relegation Round, resulting in four teams being relegated to the CFL First Division.

The league’s history is marked by its evolution from an exclusive European association to an inclusive body. Initially restricted to European clubs, the competition opened to native Indian clubs in 1914. This shift allowed historic entities like Mohun Bagan and Aryan to enter the Second Division. The structure was modelled on the English Football League following the establishment of the IFA in 1893. Today, the league remains distinct due to its age and the presence of the historic Calcutta Derby clubs. East Bengal FC holds the record for most championships with 41 titles, including a streak of eight consecutive titles from 2010 to 2017. Mohun Bagan follows with 30 titles, while Mohammedan Sporting has 11. Recent winners include Peerless SC, Mohammedan Sporting, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The 2020–21 season was cancelled due to the pandemic. Promotion to the I-League 3 is automatic for the top two eligible teams not already competing in the ISL or I-League.