Reliance Foundation Development League

The Reliance Foundation Development League is India's first developmental football league organised by the Reliance Foundation in technical support with the All India Football Federation. A total of eight teams participated in the first tournament which was held in Goa from 15 April to 12 May 2022. Youth (academy) teams of the Indian Super League clubs Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC joined Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) for the inaugural edition. The league was founded to offer opportunities to the young players across the country.

Background
In June 2021 it was proposed after a meeting of the AIFF and CEOs of all the ISL clubs that a new developmental competition called Reliance Foundation Development League would be introduced in 2022. This new league would consist of the youth and reserve teams of all the ISL clubs, with aim to develop young players as there has been limited number of competitions and leagues outside the ISL since the pandemic. The teams would predominantly feature U-21 players with few overage players allowed as well. The inaugural season of the proposed two-month league will be held in Goa inside a bio-secure bubble between January and March, following the same medical and safety procedures for 2021–22 ISL season, but got postponed to April 15.

Player eligibility

 * should be under-21
 * should be at least 15 at the time of registration
 * permission to include five players aged 21-23, no more than three players are allowed in the playing XI
 * maximum of 24 players
 * no foreign nationals