Santosh Trophy
Organised by All India Football Federation · AIFF
Age Group
Senior Men
Typical Dates
The 2026-27 season is scheduled from November 19 to January 17. The 79th Santosh Trophy 2025-26 group stage began December 15, 2025, with the final round in January 2026.
Format
Regional group stage followed by national knockout semifinals and final
About This Tournament
The Santosh Trophy is an inter-state national football competition contested by state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Flagship Tournament: The top-tier event in this sport — results here directly influence national team selection and international qualification.
The Ranking Circuit
The Santosh Trophy is the senior state-representative championship — a parallel route to the I-League/ISL club pathway for players who represent their state rather than a club. The full ladder: AIFF Grassroots / district football → state league (conducted by State Football Association) → state team trials → Santosh Trophy regional qualifying → national final. ISL and I-League scouts attend Santosh Trophy matches to identify talent outside the club academy system — performing well here is one of the few pathways for players from smaller football states (Northeast India, smaller metros) to secure professional club contracts. India's national team historically had many Santosh Trophy veterans before the ISL professionalised the structure.
Age Categories & Eligibility
Senior Men
Age eligibility is determined by the player's age as of the cutoff date in the official tournament circular. Confirm exact dates on the AIFF website before registering.
Competition Format
Regional group stage followed by national knockout semifinals and final
What this means for your child
Your child is guaranteed at least the group-stage matches regardless of results, giving them consistent competitive experience before the pressure of knockout rounds begins.
Qualification Journey
The typical path a player follows to reach this tournament:
- 1
District football
- 2
State league
- 3
State team trials
- 4
Regional qualifying
- 5
Santosh Trophy National Final
This tournament
How to Enter — Step by Step
Follow these steps in order. Starting early gives your child a significant advantage — many entry slots fill quickly.
- 1
Register with your State Football Association (SFA) and play in state league/district tournaments
- 2
Perform consistently in the state league to get noticed by state team selectors
- 3
Attend state team trials organised by your SFA before the tournament
- 4
If selected, train with the state squad and participate in the regional qualifying round
- 5
Top teams from each region advance to the national final round
What Your Child Stands to Gain
Competing in Santosh Trophy creates measurable, lasting value — beyond the result on the day.
National team selection pool
Performance at national level places your child under direct observation by the Football national selectors. Top finishers are invited to national training camps and considered for international duty.
Official competition record
Every result in this tournament goes on your child's official Football record, which selectors and federation coaches reference during team announcements.
Exposure to higher-level competition
Competing against athletes from across the country — or state — builds both technical skill and mental resilience faster than any training camp.
International qualification gateway
Winning or reaching the final in flagship tournaments often satisfies the minimum performance standard required to represent India in Asian or World Championships.
Organising Federation
All India Football Federation
AIFF is the national governing body for football in India, founded in 1937.
Visit AIFF Official WebsiteCommon Questions from Parents
Does my child need prior federation registration to participate?
Yes. Your child must hold a valid AIFF (All India Football Federation) membership, obtained through your State Football Association. Without this, your child cannot be listed in the official draw. PowerMySport can handle this registration for you as part of our concierge service.
What age group does my child qualify for?
This is an Senior Men event. Confirm your child's exact eligibility against the official age-cutoff date published in the tournament circular, available on the AIFF website.
What is the typical duration of this tournament?
The format is: Regional group stage followed by national knockout semifinals and final. Depending on your child's progression and the number of entries in their category, plan for 3–7 days of competition. Families should book accommodation and travel with flexibility for knockout advancement.
What if my child doesn't qualify through the standard route?
State associations are allocated a fixed number of spots. If your child narrowly misses selection, two options remain: (1) apply directly to AIFF for a wildcard spot, which some editions offer to high-ranked players, or (2) focus on the next qualifying tournament in the cycle to build a stronger record. Our team at PowerMySport can advise on the specific appeals process.
Are there any costs beyond the entry fee?
Entry fees vary by federation and edition — typically ₹500–₹5,000 per player per event. Families are responsible for travel, accommodation, and meals unless otherwise stated in the tournament circular. Some state associations cover partial costs for selected state team players. Check the official tournament notice for the current edition's fee structure.