The stage is set for the grand kickoff of the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2025 season, one of Asia’s oldest and most prestigious football league, now stepping into its glorious 127th year. The opening clash will witness Kalighat Milan Sangha taking on BSS Sporting Club under the lights of Naihati Stadium, with the match slated to begin at 7:15 PM.

Adding a special touch to this edition, the Indian Football Association (IFA) has officially dedicated the CFL 2025 season to the memory of Indian football legend P.K. Banerjee on the occasion of his birth anniversary on June 23. A grand programme was hosted by IFA to honour the late legend, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to Indian football.

The event was graced by several renowned former footballers including Prasun Banerjee, Prasanta Banerjee, Atanu Bhattacharya, Dipendu Biswas, Sanjay Sen, Monoranjan Bhattacharya, among others. These stalwarts of Indian football were felicitated with a special CFL Glorious Historic Stamp, symbolising the league’s proud and rich legacy spanning more than a century.

Also present was West Bengal’s Sports Minister Arup Biswas, who delivered a heartfelt speech celebrating Bengal’s football heritage, passion, and future potential. His words highlighted the emotional connection between Bengal and their heartthrob football , resonating deeply with all present.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of head coaches from all CFL 2025-participating teams, along with club presidents, secretaries, and other senior officials, signifying the unity and spirit of Bengal’s football fraternity.

A historic milestone of the day was the official unveiling of the CFL’s first-ever mascot—‘Gopal Bhar’, the iconic figure from Bengali folklore, symbolising wit, intelligence, and entertainment. This addition reflects Bengal’s deep-rooted cultural essence blended with its footballing passion.

This season brings a significant new regulation, a mandatory inclusion of six footballers from Bengal in each team’s squad. This move by the Indian Football Association, aims to promote and nurture local talent across the state’s most prestigious league competition. For the CFL 2025 edition, the teams have been divided into two groups. The inclusion of the “six Bengal players mandatory” rule could prove to be a game-changer in terms of talent development and opportunities for local youngsters striving to make their mark on Bengal’s grandest football stage.

As the curtain rises tomorrow at Naihati Stadium, all eyes will be on this grand footballing spectacle, now carrying forward the spirit of P.K. Banerjee, Bengal’s football legends, and its 127-year-old heritage into an exciting new era.

Teams in CFL 2025

The tournament’s teams are divided into two groups (A and B):

Group A:

East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan SG, Kalighat SL, Suruchi Sangha, Railway FC, BSS Sporting, Measurers Club, George Telegraph, Calcutta Customs, Kalighat MS, Pathachakra, Army Red, Police AC.

Group B:

Diamond Harbour FC, Mohammedan SC, Shribhumi FC, Calcutta Police, Wari, United Sports Club, Bhawanipore FC, ASOS Rainbow, Aryan FC, Khidirpore SC, United Kolkata SC, Southern Samity, Peerless SC.